Policy paper

Framework agreement between the Government of India and the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland for collaboration on health care workforce

Published 21 July 2022

FRAMEWORK AGREEMENT

BETWEEN

THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

AND

THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND

FOR

COLLABORATION ON HEALTH CARE WORKFORCE

The Government of India and the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, (hereinafter referred to as the “Participants”)

HEREBY HAVE AGREED AS FOLLOWS:

1. OBJECTIVES

1.1 This Framework Agreement for Collaboration on Health Care Work Force (“Agreement”) outlines key ambitions of the UK-India partnership on healthcare workforce, in particular around support for recruitment and training of Nurses, Allied Health Professionals, and other categories of healthcare professionals identified by both the Participants.

1.2 The Agreement acknowledges the longstanding relationship between India and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the significant contribution of Indian professionals to the health and care systems in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

1.3 Through this Agreement and ongoing work together, the Participants will seek to continue to enhance bilateral cooperation in capacity building, exchange of ideas and expertise, across all areas of healthcare workforce.

2. AREAS OF COOPERATION

2.1 Nursing

2.1.1 Each participant shall engage with its relevant regulatory bodies and encourage them to negotiate, within 12 months of entry into force of this Agreement, a system of mutually agreed arrangements for the recognition of the qualifications, licensing and registration procedures for different categories of nursing professionals. This arrangement may include regulators identifying any gaps based on host country requirements and determining mechanisms to resolve these.

2.1.2 The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland shall identify opportunities to support improved nurse training in Indian States, with the consent of the relevant States and training institutions through the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.

2.1.3 Any training or support shall be based on the existing national standards in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, including the level of English language proficiency required by Professional Regulators, and will be mutually decided upon by both the Governments.

2.1.4 The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland shall identify opportunities to develop improved training for nursing specialties. Such opportunities may include mental health, critical care, trauma and emergency care, palliative care, community care, neonatal intensive care, amongst other specialties. The Participants will also identify opportunities to develop enhanced training for midwifery to UK national standards in India.

2.2 Allied Health Professionals

2.2.1 The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland will work with its relevant training institutions, government departments and agencies and regulators to increase training and recruitment of Allied Health Professionals from India. In the first instance, engagement will focus on the four Allied Health Professions listed below:

i. Occupational Therapy

ii. Dieticians (Nutrition Science)

iii. Radiography (Medical Radiology, Imaging and Therapeutic technology)

iv. Operating Department Practitioners (Trauma, Burn care and Surgical or Anaesthesia related professions)

2.2.2 Following the engagement on the four professions above, the Participants will explore collaboration on other healthcare professional groups, including but not restricted to: Medical Laboratory and Life Sciences, Physiotherapy, Ophthalmic Science professions, Community care, Behavioural health and other similar professions, Medical Technologists and Physician Assistant, and Health Information Management and Health Informatics.

2.2.3 The Participants will facilitate and encourage dialogue and engagement between regulators of Allied and Healthcare professionals, with a view to streamlining registration processes, mapping competencies and skills, and better understanding the regulatory landscape between India and the UK.

2.3 Collaboration in bridging the skill gaps and training

Collaboration in bridging the skill gaps and training shall be accomplished through:

2.3.1 Early engagement between the relevant professional bodies and regulators of India and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland with a view to identifying skill gaps in the training systems of India and the UK in these professions;

2.3.2 Developing a plan of action for each profession to bridge any skill or competency gaps in Indian training by way of joint mapping of the job roles;

2.3.3 Exchange of information such as sharing of skill shortage data related to all professional categories related to health services in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland;

2.3.4 Organising workshops and building partnerships between the training institutions of the United Kingdom and India;

2.3.5 Developing a plan of action to identify initial cohorts of applicants in India and employers in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, to ensure smooth transition into employment in the National Health Service;

2.3.6 Evaluating this approach in a timely manner, using the learning to explore the potential and scope for recruitment of Nurse Specialists, other Allied Health Professionals, to address the shortage in near future.

2.4 Other areas of cooperation

2.4.1 The Participants have decided to develop a process for continued engagement on health care workforce, through the active involvement of the Indian High Commission in the UK. This engagement will entail discussions on matters related to employment with the Department of Health and Social Care on regular basis to resolve any concerns about the employment of Indian professionals within the UK’s healthcare system;

2.4.2 The Participants will explore ways to set up joint centres of excellence for training and education programmes with an aim to improve the education, language training and training opportunities in India and the UK;

2.4.3 The Participants will enable signing of the memorandum of association between the institutions of India and UK.

3. WORKING GROUP

3.1 The Participants will establish a Working Group composed of representatives of each Participant to facilitate:

• 3.1.1 the achievement of the objectives of this Framework Agreement; and

• 3.1.2 continued dialogue between Professional Regulators to:

  • 3.1.2.1 encourage effective development, implementation and administration of mutually-agreed arrangements for the recognition of qualifications, licensing and registration procedures of nurses and allied health professionals;

  • 3.1.2.2 further support each other, including providing information on:

    • (a) identifying possible improvements in the registration systems; and

    • (b) sharing best practices.

3.2 The Working Group will liaise, as appropriate, to support the relevant bodies of each Participant in pursuing the objectives of the Framework Agreement. This support may include providing points of contact, facilitating meetings, and providing relevant information.

3.3 The Working Group may support relevant bodies of each Participant in developing mechanisms for cooperation as covered under the Framework Agreement.

3.4 The Working Group will meet within 60 days of the signing of the Framework Agreement and subsequently as agreed by the Working Group. The relevant regulatory bodies in each Participant’s jurisdiction may also be invited to participate in the Working Group.

4. LEGAL EFFECTS

4.1 This Framework Agreement is not a legally binding document and does not create legal obligations for either Participant.

5. DISPUTE RESOLUTION

5.1 The Participants shall at all times endeavour to agree on the interpretation and application of this Agreement and will make every attempt through communication, dialogue, consultations and cooperation to arrive at a mutually satisfactory resolution of any matter that might affect the implementation of this Agreement.

5.2 Any dispute arising out of the interpretation or implementation of this Agreement shall be settled amicably through consultations and negotiations between the Participants through diplomatic channels.

6. AMENDMENT

6.1 Amendments or revisions to the text of this Agreement will be jointly decided by the Participants.

6.2 Amendments will be in writing and will form an integral part of this Agreement. Such amendments will enter into effect on such date or dates as may be decided between the Participants.

7. NOTICES

7.1 The Participants will endeavour to communicate with each other in writing for the purposes under this Arrangement.

For the Government of India:

Joint Secretary, Medical Education / Nursing
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare,
Nirman Bhawan, New Delhi

Email: js.me-mohfw@nic.in

For the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland:

Permanent Secretary
Department of Health and Social Care
39 Victoria Street
London
SW1H 0EU

Email: permanent.secretary@dhsc.gov.uk

8. DATE OF EFFECT

8.1 This Agreement shall come into effect on the date of signature.

9. TERMINATION

9.1 This Agreement shall remain effective unless it is terminated by either Participant giving one (1) year’s written notice of its intention to terminate it through diplomatic channels.

9.2 The Participants may decide that any on-going and pending activities at the time of termination of the Agreement will be carried to their conclusion as if the Agreement still had effect.

The Undersigned, being duly authorized by their respective Governments, have signed this Agreement, in two original copies, in English.

SIGNED in [CITY], on this [X]Day of [MONTH] 2022

ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THE INDIA

………………………………………

Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya

Minister for Health & Family Welfare

FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND

………………………………………

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