Practices are being sought to save hundreds of newly qualified GPs being lost to the UK, it has been revealed. Up to 1,000 newly qualified GPs are currently facing deportation because of a loophole in Home Office rules, it has been claimed.

The Doctors’ Association UK said it was “utterly appalled” at the situation, which was reported to MPs this week. The Royal College of GPs reported this week that doctors are now receiving letters threatening deportation because they do not have visas to remain following completion of training.

Dr Margaret Ikpoh, a college vice-chair, told the House of Commons health committee: “I’m contacted on a regular basis by trainees who despite the fact that we’ve spent £50,000 a year training them up – and perhaps in areas of deprivation, they’ve also been given funding perhaps through the targeted enhanced reimbursement scheme – and at the end of their training they’re literally going from celebrating the fact that they’ve become a GP to receiving letters threatening them with deportation.

“That can’t be right. It has to change and we have to value them better. Because if we don’t, we’ll lose them, and some are already going to places where they feel that they are more valued, and Canada is on the top of the list. I think it’s an easy win for all of us to try and sort out.”

In April the BMA said 30 out of 80 trainee GPs in Wales do not have sponsorship to stay in the UK. Across the UK it would mean 1,000 doctors who are completing their training not having sponsorship. The problem has arisen because the Home Office assumes trainee doctors take five years to complete their specialist training – requiring them to train for five years before they can apply for indefinite leave to remain, which allows them to work anywhere in the UK.

GPs gain their certificate of completion of training after three years and have to gain further sponsorship – implying full employment – to ensure their work visa is extended. Dr Ellen Welsh, co-chair of the Doctors’ Association, said: “We are short of thousands of GPs in the UK and desperately need these doctors to stay and work in the NHS. If the government is serious about bolstering the workforce, then they need to take immediate action to ensure these doctors are not deported and are granted indefinite leave to remain to use their skills within our crumbling health service.”

Dr Dolin Bhagawati, from the DAUK, said: “This simply defies belief and demonstrates the siloed thinking that is present in government when it comes to NHS staffing. These doctors, who worked during the pandemic, are ideally placed to help address the problems faced by a dramatically understaffed GP service currently. “If the government are serious about addressing issues the NHS are facing today, we call on them to address these immigrations issues sensibly and expeditiously.”