For many years, the United Kingdom was a dream destination for Indian doctors and nurses. The National Health Service (NHS) promised job security, respect, and international exposure. But today, that dream is slowly fading.
More and more Indian healthcare professionals are leaving the UK—not because they dislike their work, but because of financial pressure, strict immigration policies, and uncertain career growth.
📉 Sharp Drop in Healthcare Visas
Official data shared in the UK Parliament shows a worrying trend:
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🛂 Health and Care Worker visas for Indians dropped by 67%
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👩⚕️ Visas for Indian nurses fell by nearly 79%
Senior Indian-origin doctors working in the NHS told PTI that exits are rising due to stress and instability, not because of poor medical standards.
💷 Money Problems: High Tax, Low Savings
Money has become a major concern for doctors in the UK.
An NHS consultant in the top pay band pays:
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💸 45% income tax
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🧾 2% National Insurance
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🏦 Around 12.5% of salary toward NHS pension
This leaves doctors with limited savings, especially when rent, food, and daily expenses are very high. Junior doctors and trainees feel this pressure the most.
Dr. Narain, a senior NHS cardiologist, explained that salaries in the UK are now lower compared to countries like Germany, Australia, Canada, and the Middle East, where doctors enjoy better pay, lower taxes, and a higher quality of life.
📜 Policy Pressure: Immigration & Job Security
Government policies are another big reason.
Radiologist Sanjay Gandhi said UK governments want to reduce net migration. Since controlling illegal migration is difficult, legal migrants—especially NHS workers—are often affected.
At the same time:
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🎓 More local medical graduates are entering the system
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🪑 Training and specialist seats have not increased enough
This means many qualified doctors are unable to find stable jobs.
🚪 Difficult Entry Routes for New Doctors
Getting into the NHS has also become harder.
The GMC (General Medical Council) has been asked to limit PLAB exams, which overseas doctors must pass. These exams are:
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💰 Very expensive
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❓ No guarantee of a job even after passing
Because of this uncertainty, many Indian doctors now avoid the UK altogether.
🏥 NHS Under Financial Stress
Indian doctors have played a key role in building the NHS since its launch in 1948. Even today, Asian or Asian British staff make up 13% of the NHS workforce.
However, after COVID-19:
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💼 NHS spent heavily on temporary staff
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📉 Trusts are now under pressure to cut costs
Pulmonologist Manish Gautam said overseas recruitment has reduced, while resident doctor jobs receive hundreds of applications within hours. The NHS is slowly shifting to permanent staffing, but this change will take time.
✅ Conclusion
Indian doctors are leaving the UK not due to dissatisfaction with medical practice, but because of high taxes, rising living costs, strict immigration policies, and limited career opportunities. With better pay, lower taxes, and improved quality of life available in other countries, the UK is losing skilled healthcare professionals who once formed the backbone of the NHS. Without policy and financial reforms, this outflow is likely to continue.