GHP February 2017

NEWS , Funded by £161,692 from the Scottish Government, the New Refugee Doc- tors Project is unique in the UK in supporting medical- ly trained and qualified refugees to achieve medical registration and contribute their skills to NHS Scotland, as well as offering a long-term package of support. Run by the Bridges Programmes in partnership with the BMA and NHS Education for Scotland, and Glasgow Clyde College and the City of Glasgow College, the funding will help suitably qualified refugees access training, lan- guage support and professional mentoring to help them meet the standards for professional regis- tration with the General Medical Council and practise medicine here in Scotland. As part of the funding, the doctors have commit- ted to working for NHS Scotland. Equalities Secretary Angela Con- stance announced the funding at Kersland House Surgery in Mil- ngavie, which will be involved in the training of refugee doctors. She said, “this programme – unique in the UK – will reduce the de-skilling of medics who have sought refuge in Scotland, and will allow NHS Scotland to utilise the experience of refugee doctors with valuable and highly special- ised skills. “We know access to training and employment is crucial to integra- tion, and it can be devastating for those who had a skill in their home country to be unable to use that in their new country. By giving people a helping hand to utilise their skills we’re not only supporting them to make connec- tions and friendships, and to build a better life, but we will all benefit from those skills too. “Scotland has a long history of welcoming refugees, and work- ing together to ensure they have the best possible opportunities to integrate and create a safe and stable home for themselves.” Mohammad Helmi, a Syrian Doc- tor participant on the New Refu- gee Doctors’ Project said, “the Fast growing start- up Healthera, is one of just five innova- tions in the UK to be awarded funding as part of NHS England’s £4.3 mil- lion investment initiative in new technologies that ease pressure on urgent and emergency care services. With accident and emergency pressures increasing and wait- ing times reaching their highest level in more than a decade, dig- ital health management company Healthera, has the potential to re- duce A& E pressures. Healthera, an app to help patients manage their medicines, will re- ceive up to £1 million in financial backing from SBRI Heallthcare (an NHS England initiative) to take its product to the next stage of development. By improving medical adherence and facilitat- ing automatic intervention and professional advice, Healthera can contribute to reducing A&E admissions. The company demonstrated best value and greatest technical fea- sibility to a panel of experts look- ing for game-changing technol- ogies with the highest potential value to patients and the health service. As consumers become ev- er-more curious about their health and fitness, many measure food intake or track activity on apps; as yet there hasn’t been the same conscientious attitude towards medicines. Healthera changes this, and helps patients manage and track their medicine intake. It includes a smart medicine di- ary that automatically schedules pharmacy visits and analyses medicine taking which can be shared with GPs. Jin Dai, VP of Product at Healthera said, “With as little as 16% of peo- ple taking prescribed medicine correctly, a solution was needed for medication management, and we are confident that Healthera is leading a new era of connected digital health.” Quintus Liu, CEO further commented, “Our latest funding award from the NHS England initiative, in recognition of our potential to reduce A&E pressures, will help fast-track our move to market; Healthera is one to watch in 2017!” For further information visit www. healthera.co.uk project funding means it can be tailored to meet our needs in or- der to bridge the gap in our career path. Getting back into medicine is what I have been looking for since my first day in Scotland, and I cannot imagine myself be- ing anywhere else. It is my pas- sion where I will able to contribute the most to humanity.” Maggie Lennon, founder and Di- rector of the Bridges Programmes added, “we are delighted the Scottish Government is willing to make this investment in these Refugee doctors who are so ea- ger to gain their GMC registra- tion and start practicing again. This funding will help make that journey all the more quicker and smoother. “It’s wonderful to note that at a time where Refugees in some parts of the world are not always given such a warm welcome that once again Scotland is showing compassion and practical sup- port. Getting back to medicine means the world to these out- standing men and women, and helping them achieve that will be a major focus for Bridges Pro- grammes.” Dr Greg Jones, Clinical Lead at NHS Education Scotland, which works in partnership with GP sur- geries to train doctors to become senior clinicians said, “we aim to allow refugee doctors to use their previous experience and training and become valuable contribu- tors to the NHS in Scotland. “Before doctors can work in NHS Scotland they need to prove they have a high standard of written and spoken English. Only then are they allowed to sit the exams they need to prove their medical knowledge is satisfactory. “Additional support to help ref- ugee doctors with English lan- guage examinations is very wel- come in helping them over this initial hurdle into medical training in Scotland. We are committed to supporting doctors into training for the benefit of both the NHS and wider society whilst ensuring patient safety at all times.” www.gov.scot Start-Up Healthera Success in £4.3 Million Investment Round to Reduce A&E Pressures N