GP practices: why you should consider a sponsor licence

On 27 October this year the president of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, Tim Mitchell, responded to the latest data on growing NHS waiting lists. With waiting lists for elective treatment expected to hit over eight million by summer 2024, Mitchell stated:

“Providing a supportive, well-resourced working environment is vital to reducing burnout. Otherwise, the NHS risks being caught in a revolving door, as we continuously lose the very staff we are trying to hire.”

This follows a 2022 BMA survey of junior doctors which found that four in ten doctors intend to leave the NHS as soon as they can find another job. A third of those plan to work abroad, with Australia and Canada the most favourable destinations for British junior doctors.

These sobering figures pose a frightening prospect for GP practices around the UK, some of which may already be running on an emergency only basis due to staff shortages. As a result, more GP practices might look at the benefits of having a sponsor licence and consider acquiring one.

A sponsor licence is issued by the Home Office to an organisation, allowing it to sponsor and employ non-UK nationals to work in the UK. As such, anyone considering looking to employ foreign workers will be required to hold one before offering a job to someone from overseas.

The healthcare system is facing staff shortages today, but future challenges such as sudden increases in patient demand or the need for specialist expertise at short notice are equally important reasons for ensuring your practice has the talent to remain resilient in the face of pressures.

A GP practice with a licence in place will be better placed to hire from both home and abroad. With dozens of practices around the UK already registered as sponsor licence holders, some to reclaim their ability to hire from the EU, and others to widen their talent pool to non-EU countries with a high number of General Medical Council (GMC) registered practitioners.

GP practices are a vital element in the primary care service of our healthcare system, and it is important that they are staffed sufficiently. Obtaining a sponsor licence can be a long-term strategic decision for individual GP practices, allowing the organisation to access a wider pool of candidates to address shortages.

For doctors from abroad considering a career in the UK, an offer of employment from a sponsor licence holder will not be enough. The first step is considering whether one is required to take the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) test before registering with the GMC. For more information on this, please do take a moment to read the high-level overview of this subject prepared by the British Medical Association.

Whilst it is worth highlighting the ever-changing price associated with securing a licence and visa, doing so would serve only to date this blog prematurely. All Home Office costs can be found on the government webpage here, and a related blog from my colleague Nikki Weir can be read here.

The process of obtaining and maintaining a sponsor licence can be complex. If you would like to speak to a member of our specialist team, please get in touch to find out how we can help.