A junior doctor was stopped at Edinburgh Airport and is now facing deportation over issues with his Visa. The doc, who trained as a doctor in the UK, but is not a UK passport holder, was returning from a holiday abroad with friends when he was held by border force at Edinburgh Airport on Tuesday.
He now faces deportation from Scotland this weekend after he was meant to start a placement at a Scottish health board. He faces deportation from Scotland this weekend after he was meant to start a placement at a Scottish health board.
Earlier this year he was interviewed for a junior doctor role and got the job, which was due to start on Tuesday. He was expecting to be issued with a visa to work in the country but has yet to receive it.
The junior doctor is currently receiving legal advice and hopes to appeal the deportation. The NHS Education for Scotland (NES), an education and training body with NHS Scotland who recruited the doctor said it has been
involved with the sponsorship which has been processed.According to the body, the junior doctor was offered a postponed start until his paperwork was complete. The Borders Force then gave him a 6-month visitor's visa to use until he started working.
Dr Lewis Thomas Hughes, a fellow junior doctor who went on holiday with his friend, said: "Before we departed, there was a visa check and there was no issue at all. He had his passport stamped so it is there.
"However, we came back yesterday and then totally unexpectedly my friend had his phone taken off him, had his passport taken off him, was put into a cell, didn't have access to legal advice and then was issued with a paper notice which said they were revoking his right to remain and we are going to deport you.
"It was same airport we came through when we returned but completely different interpretation of the application from the Borders Force."
The junior doctor was told by UK Borders Force he would be sent back to his 'last port of call' on Saturday. He could appeal, however, he was told this process takes a long time and it may be too late.
Dr Hughes said: "It all seemed very unusual given there was this understanding but UK Borders Force then said the concern was that he was going to work even though his employers made it very clear he could not.
"They asked if he intends to work here and he said, 'Not until I have my visa but I will be working ultimately when that comes through'. They basically said to him, "Well, if you just said you were visiting family we would have let you through' but he's a doctor, he can't be dishonest.
"The fact he's been honest and he's landed in this situation seems perverse. It seems like someone doesn't understand or hasn't read back the checks that have been done by their colleagues.
"It just doesn't seem like a good outcome for anyone - for him as an individual, for the employer, for patients who are short on other doctors and the UK health service which really needs people to come over here and work. It's a really bad look.
"The fact that this has happened to a professional who has done all of his training here and has been offered a job here is beggar's belief - it just doesn't make sense. He feels as if he has done something wrong and he feels really unwelcome.
"Despite it all, he really wants to get back to work here. He isn't here because he has no other choice, he wants to be here.
"This needs to be recognised for the mistake that is was and for it to disappear so he can get to work and see patients."
The junior doctor is currently meant to be on placement with a health board in Scotland yet the board has said they have no involvement with his employment.
According to the health board, the doctor's visa sponsorship does not lie with them but NHS Education for Scotland (NES), an education and training body with NHS Scotland who recruited the doctor.
Christine Jardine, Scottish Liberal Democrat MP said: "This makes our immigration system look like a complete joke. At a time when we need skilled medical professionals, it's ridiculous that the individual in question is being treated like a criminal.
"The health board need to take some responsibility for not sorting the correct paperwork but ultimately all of those involved need to show some common sense and help him to get to work as soon as possible."
A spokesperson for NHS Education for Scotland said: "This is clearly a distressing case and our sympathies are with this person. We cannot go into the specifics of an individual case, but we have contacted the UK Home Office and the individual as a matter of urgency to see what we can do to support them.
"We support trainees with sponsorships, but the granting of visas is done by the UK Home Office."
A Home Office spokesperson said:"We welcome all doctors and medical professionals who wish to come to work within the NHS.
"Everyone entering the UK to work, regardless of where they enter from, is required to have a valid work visa."
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