What is Scholar and Trainee Services Ltd?

Scholar and Trainee Services Ltd is a company that acted as an employment agency, facilitating the relocation of Pakistani trainee doctors to work in UK hospitals.

What was the 'learn and return' scheme at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Trust?

It was an initiative where NHS hospitals trained doctors from developing countries, allowing them to gain skills to take back home, while the NHS benefited from their labor.

What did the KPMG review find regarding the NHS scheme?

The review found significant financial and reputational risks, including potential exploitation of doctors, lack of formal contracts, and failure to conduct proper background checks.

Home / Business and Economy / £40M NHS Scandal: Firm's Home HQ Exposed

£40M NHS Scandal: Firm's Home HQ Exposed

10 Jan

•

Summary

A Birmingham home served as HQ for a firm paid £40.5M by NHS.
Scheme paid doctors less than received from NHS, raising exploitation fears.
Trust failed basic pre-employment checks, lacked formal contracts with firm.

£40M NHS Scandal: Firm's Home HQ Exposed

University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Trust has terminated a controversial scheme that paid £40.5 million to Scholar and Trainee Services Ltd. This company, operating from a residential address in Birmingham, was responsible for facilitating the relocation of approximately 700 Pakistani trainee doctors. The initiative, part of a 'learn and return' program, aimed to provide training for foreign medics while offering the NHS cheap labor.

A review by KPMG uncovered severe shortcomings, including financial risks and reputational damage for the trust. Audits revealed that the amount paid to the trainee doctors was significantly less than what the firm received from the NHS, leading to concerns about worker exploitation and the destination of the remaining funds. Furthermore, the trust had no formal contract with Scholar and Trainee Services and did not require invoices for payments.