14/11/2024
More tailored English language support could help the NHS tap into the fantastic skillsets offered by refugees and asylum seekers across the UK, according to a new report.
Experts from Cambridge and UK’s National Health Service (NHS) looked at the experiences of refugees and asylum seekers planning to work in the NHS. 106 healthcare professionals took part in the study, including doctors, nurses and midwives. The study focused on the personal, professional and cultural challenges they face when meeting NHS registration requirements, applying for clinical placement and working in frontline roles. Overall, the biggest challenge reported was English language proficiency.
The study's recommendations focus on enhancing English language support for refugees and asylum seekers at both policy and classroom levels. Key policy suggestions include expanding access to online English classes without geographical limits and providing second-hand laptops and data SIM cards to promote equitable learning. There is also an emphasis on designing flexible learning pathways that cater to different proficiency levels and learning needs, blending online and in-person instruction. At the classroom level, embedding trauma-informed teaching practices is highlighted as essential for effectively supporting refugee and vulnerable adult learners.
Dr Brigita Séguis, Head of Impact Evaluation at Cambridge University Press & Assessment led the study with Heidi Miu, a Research and Development officer at NHS England and Dr Ross Goldstone, Research & Development Manager at NHS England.
Dr Séguis said:
‘Skilled healthcare professionals who are refugees or seeking asylum in the UK can make such a fantastic contribution to the NHS. However, despite many success stories there are still English language skills gaps that need to be addressed through further training and support. Our report recommends English language support that is flexible and responsive to the needs of refugees and asylum seekers. For example, it is important to recognise that access to technology is an issue for many skilled professionals in this situation and that is why it’s encouraging to see that there are initiatives in place to help refugees get access to broadband and technology. However, these initiatives are still very sporadic, and much more needs to be done.’
The OET Test, which has been specifically designed to test the English language skills that healthcare professionals will need to demonstrate in the workplace, was also featured in the report. The participants were very positive towards OET - with 84% saying it was their preferred English test due to the relevance of the test material.
Dr Séguis said that the collaboration between Cambridge and NHS allowed the researchers to put the big issues under the spotlight. She said:
‘By joining forces with our NHS colleagues, we were able to look at a broad range of challenges that refugees and asylum seekers face on their journey into UK Healthcare roles and recommend where further support is needed’.
The research was conducted by Cambridge University Press & Assessment and NHS England. Access to refugee and asylum seeker healthcare professionals was facilitated by RefuAid and and NHS Refugee Support Programme, operated in partnership with Liverpool John Moores University, RefuAid and Talent Beyond Boundaries.