UK: 63% Foreign docs fail GP exams

Scandal of the failing foreign doctors who demand right to sit GP exams a staggering SIX times

• 63 per cent fail compared with nine per cent of British
• Language revealed as one of the problems
• Patients can't check how many attempts they had

By Jo Macfarlane
PUBLISHED: 01:26 GMT, 23 December 2012 | UPDATED: 01:27 GMT, 23 December 2012

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Hundreds of foreign doctors working in the NHS are routinely failing key medical exams, The Mail on Sunday can reveal.

Success rates are so poor that medical associations want doctors to be allowed six attempts at passing the tests rather than the current four.

The revelation raises fears the trainee medics, mainly from India, Pakistan and Nigeria, are not suitably qualified to treat patients despite spending three years working for the NHS before taking the exam.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2252359/Scandal-failing-foreign-doctors-demand-right-sit-GP-exams-staggering-SIX-times.html#ixzz2FtWnMxLz
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TB imported into UK from AFRICA & INDIA

From UK DAILY MAIL

Student had rare form of illness that doctors thought was meningitis

• Craig White, from Boston, Lincs, suffered from headaches and nausea but assumed it was linked to his medication for Crohn's disease, his family said
• His condition deteriorated on Dec 5 and he died a week later in hospital
• He tweeted 'Head feels like it's going to explode!' just weeks earlier

By Claire Bates, Nick Enoch and Hannah Roberts
PUBLISHED: 17:44 GMT, 21 December 2012 | UPDATED: 00:47 GMT, 22 December 2012

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Craig White died from tuberculosis after suffering crippling headaches for a week

A student has died after  contracting a rare form of tuberculosis.
Craig White, 21, suffered from intense headaches and nausea in the months leading up to his death.
The aspiring sports journalist, from Boston in Lincolnshire, initially dismissed his symptoms as side effect of the steroids he was taking for Crohn’s disease, his family said.
When his condition worsened after a meal with friends on December 5, he was admitted to Boston's Pilgrim Hospital two days later but died on December 12.
Mr White, an aspiring sports journalist, had tweeted friends just weeks before he died asking if anyone knew of a pill more effective than paracetamol, as his 'head feels like it's going to explode!'
The Health Protection Agency said a post-mortem examination this morning identified disseminated tuberculosis - a rare form of the disease - as the provisional cause of death.
Further investigations into Mr White's case will now be carried out by Professor Robert Forrest, the coroner for South Lincolnshire.
Adjourning the inquest, Professor Forrest said: 'There are still a lot of details we need to establish into the tragic death of Craig Adam White. This may take a few months.'
The HPA said it was likely he contracted TB by breathing in infected droplets from a sufferer several months ago as it takes a long time for symptoms to develop.
TB, which was rife in Britain until the 1950s, is an increasing and worrying problem in urban areas. Rising immigration has seen a surge in cases in the last 20 years.

 

More...

• Pneumonia patient, 86, sent home from hospital in freezing temperatures wearing just her night clothes
• Brave little Charlotte, 5, who lost all four limbs to meningitis receives pink sparkly legs in time for Christmas

Cases dropped from 50,000 a year in the 1950s to 5,000 in the 1980s.
Last year there were just over 9,000 cases. London has the highest rate of infection, followed by Birmingham.
Seventy per cent of cases occur among recent migrants to Britain from countries where the disease remains prevalent such as the Indian sub-continent and sub-Saharan Africa.

Craig White, 21, had suffered from crippling headaches for weeks preceding his death. A post-mortem examination found disseminated tuberculosis as the provisional cause of death

The last tweet sent by Craig White. He died two weeks later

It is not known whether Mr White had recently travelled abroad.
The HPA is now offering screening for the infection to his friends at the University of Lincoln.
Mr White was a keen supporter of Manchester City football club and had a fan blog. He was in his third year of his journalism degree.
After his death, his girlfriend Laurie Caumette, who visited him in hospital, tweeted: 'Can't believe I'll never see you smile again or hear the sound of your voice and hear you laugh. I'm going to miss you so much.'
The official Manchester City twitter feed said: 'All at #MCFC send our condolences to the friends & family of City fan & @mcfcview blogger @cwhiteuk who sadly passed away recently.'
In a statement issued by the HPA, Dr Katie Geary said cases of disseminated TB were rare but not unheard of in the UK.
Dr Geary said: 'Our thoughts are with the family at this sad time.
'As part of normal practice, all close contacts considered to be at risk of contracting the disease will be offered screening to see if they’ve been exposed to the infection.'
She added: 'Exposure to the infection through contact with someone who has the illness does not mean that an individual will go on to develop TB.

'Transmission occurs through coughing of infectious droplets and usually requires prolonged close contact with an infectious case.'
Disseminated TB develops in the small number of infected people whose immune systems do not successfully contain the primary infection.
Those who take immune-suppressing medications are at higher risk for disseminated TB, because of their weaker immune systems.
Disseminated disease can occur within weeks of the primary infection. Sometimes, it does not occur until years after you become infected.
Low doses of immune system suppressants are often administered for Crohn's disease.
Steroids are known to suppress the immune system.
The disease mainly affects the lungs, where it can cause calcium deposits which make it difficult to breathe.
It can also travel to other parts of the body including the brain, kidneys, bones and joints.
Symptoms can include fever and night sweats (both sometimes experienced by Crohn's sufferers), an unexplained prolonged cough, unexplained weight loss or blood in phlegm.
However, many people who are infected never develop symptoms - although the bacteria remain in the body, they are not infectious.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2251748/Craig-White-Student-21-died-suffering-crippling-headaches-TUBERCULOSIS.html#ixzz2FjqFHH1R
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TORONTO:BLANEY McMURTRY IMMIGRATION LAWYERS

Canada to Begin Collecting Biometric Data From Certain Foreign Nationals

Henry J. Chang

On December 8, 2012, Citizenship and Immigration Canada ("CIC") published proposed regulations that will authorize the collection and use of biometric data from certain foreign nationals who make an application for a temporary resident visa ("TRV"), study permit, or work permit. Biometrics is the measurement of an individual’s unique physical characteristics, such as fingerprints and facial image; an applicant’s identity can be established through biometrics because of the uniqueness of these identifiers.

Starting in 2013, TRV, study permit, and work permit applicants from certain visa-required countries and territories who seek to enter Canada will be required to have their biometric information (fingerprints and photograph) collected overseas before arriving in Canada. Canadian citizens and permanent residents would not be subject to the proposed regulation.

The fingerprints collected abroad would be sent to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police for storage and would be checked against the fingerprint records of refugee claimants, previous deportees, persons with Canadian criminal records, and previous temporary resident applicants before a visa decision is made. The biometric identity established abroad would then be checked by a Canada Border Services Agency ("CBSA") officer at a Canadian port of entry, when the temporary resident applied for admission to Canada.
Read more ›

Canada and the United States Sign Visa and Immigration Information-Sharing Agreement

Henry J. Chang

On December 13, 2012, Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney and United States Ambassador to Canada David Jacobson signed the U.S.-Canada Visa and Immigration Information-Sharing Agreement (the "Agreement") in furtherance of the Perimeter Security and Economic Competitiveness Action Plan (the "Action Plan"), which was signed in 2011 by Prime Minister Stephen Harper and President Barack Obama. As part of the Action Plan, Canada and the United States committed to share immigration information to improve border efficiency and security, by establishing and verifying the identities of foreign nationals, and identifying those who were inadmissible, at the earliest opportunity.

The Agreement authorizes development of arrangements under which Canada may send an automated request for data to the United States, such as when a third country national applies to Canada for a visa or claims asylum. Such a request would contain limited information, such as name and date of birth in the case of biographic sharing, or an anonymous fingerprint in the case of biometric sharing. If the identity matches that of a previous application, immigration information may be shared, such as whether the person has previously been refused a visa or removed from the other country. The same process would apply in reverse when a third country national applies to the United States for a visa or claims asylum.

According to the Agreement, no information will be shared on Canadian or United States citizens or permanent residents. However, it will allow both countries to share information regarding third-country nationals who apply for a visa or a permit to travel to either country. The Agreement also provides an additional tool for regular, systematic information sharing on inland asylum claimants.

MONTREAL:CAMPBELL COHEN IMMIGRATION LAWYERS

BREAKING NEWS: Federal Skilled Worker Program Will Reopen in May 2013

December, 2012

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Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) has announced that the new selection system for the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) will take effect on May 4th, 2013. At that time, the program will begin accepting applications for review. In addition to the long-awaited announcement, important new details about the program have been revealed, helping to paint a fuller picture of what Canadian immigration will look like in the coming year.
A Quick Background
The Skilled Worker category of the FSWP has been frozen since mid-2012 so that necessary improvements could be made to the program.
The FSWP changes, as described by CIC, are as follows:

• Minimum official language thresholds and increased points for official language proficiency, making language the most important factor in the selection process;
• Increased emphasis on younger immigrants, who are more likely to acquire valuable Canadian experience, are better positioned to adapt to changing labour market conditions, and who will spend a greater number of years contributing to Canada’s economy;
• Introduction of the Educational Credential Assessment (ECA), so that education points awarded reflect the foreign credential’s true value in Canada;
• Changes to the arranged employment process, allowing employers to hire applicants quickly, if there is a demonstrated need in the Canadian labour market; and
• Additional adaptability points for spousal language ability and Canadian work experience

These changes are part of CIC’s mission to transform Canada’s immigration system to one that is ‘faster and more flexible’. Immigration Minister Jason Kenney has stated that “the government’s number one priority remains jobs, economic growth, and long-term prosperity. The new Federal Skilled Worker Program criteria will ensure Canada is selecting the skilled immigrants our economy needs, who are the most likely to succeed in Canada.”
Important Additional Announcements
In addition to announcing that applications will be accepted starting May 4th, 2013, CIC made three important statements:

1. A list of organizations designated by the government to perform educational credential authentication and assessment will be made available in the new year;
2. A limit will be placed on the number of skilled worker applications the FSWP will accept for review each year. The specific number for this limit has not yet been announced; and
3. New applications to the FSWP will be processed in a matter of months, as opposed to a year or more.

“This is exciting news for applicants,” says Attorney David Cohen. “We have been looking forward to learning more details about this program, and it appears that CIC is taking steps to achieve its goal of a more streamlined, transparent system that will select the immigrants Canada needs most.”
Prospective Applicants – Moving Forward
Prospective applicants now have a time frame for preparing their applications in advance, if they so choose. According to Attorney David Cohen, early preparation may be key to ensuring that one’s application arrives before quotas are filled.
“Applicants have been patiently waiting for the FSWP to open since July 2012,” he said. “In previous years, quotas have filled quickly, leaving otherwise eligible individuals to wait another year for their chance to gain Canadian Permanent Residency. I suggest those who are serious about immigrating through the FSWP be proactive about preparing their applications so they are first in line on May 4th.”
Once they have submitted their applications, the government promises that individuals will enjoy the fastest processing times for the FSWP in recent history. Those who are successful will arrive in Canada better prepared to find employment, integrate into their communities, and settle into their new home.

TORONTO EMIGRATION LAWYERS prepare for increased business.

GPs: 2013 Ontario pay lower; USA pay higher

Ontario Health Insurance reduced all MDs' pay by 0.5%

USA Medicare increased GPs pay by 7%.

 Toronto emigration lawyers with USA offices expected to have increased business.

California & Florida preferred.

Escape from irritating time-wasting CPSO investigations about trivial patient complaints such as not prescribing antibiotics for minor respiratory complaints or refusing to perjure oneself signing phoney disability and sickness forms.

Minister KENNY blocks REFUGEE RACKET

• From Canadian Govt website
•  
• $85-million a year spent on phony refugee claims.  Lengthy appeal system was a gold mine for Legal Aid lawyers. Free Medicine,Dentistry and Drugs were previously great attractions for Refugee "importers".

List of Designated Countries of Origin Announced

Ottawa, December 14, 2012 – The Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism announced today the initial list of countries whose citizens will have their asylum claims expedited for processing because they do not normally produce refugees.
“Designating countries is an important step towards a faster and fairer asylum system,” said Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney. “It is remarkable that the European Union – with its democratic tradition of freedom, respect for human rights, and an independent judiciary – has been the top source region for asylum claims made in Canada. What’s more, virtually all EU claimants either withdraw or abandon their own claims or are rejected by the independent Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada.”
In 2011, of the total number of asylum claims filed by European Union (EU) nationals around the world, over 80% of were filed in Canada, even though EU nationals have mobility rights within the 27 EU member states. The majority of EU claimants do not appear for their Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB) hearing as they withdraw or abandon their own claims. Of all EU claims referred to the IRB, an independent tribunal, 91% were rejected last year.
As part of the improvements to Canada’s asylum system, the Protecting Canada’s Immigration System Act included the authority to designate countries of origin (DCOs) – countries that respect human rights, offer state protection, and based on the historical data from the IRB, do not normally produce refugees.
The initial list of designations covers 27 countries, 25 of which are in the European Union:

• Austria
• Belgium
• Croatia
• Cyprus
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Hungary
• Ireland
• Italy
• Latvia
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Malta
• Netherlands
• Poland
• Portugal
• Slovak Republic
• Slovenia
• Spain
• Sweden
• United Kingdom
• United States of America

Additional countries will be designated in the months following the implementation of the new system, which comes into force tomorrow, December 15, 2012.
All eligible asylum claimants from a DCO will continue to receive a full and fair oral hearing on the individual merits of their claim in front of the independent, quasi-judicial IRB. The new system does not change in any respect the nature of these first instance hearings, which are conducted in a manner consistent with principles of due process and natural justice, and meet the requirements of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, as stipulated by the Supreme Court of Canada in its 1985 decision R v. Singh.
Claimants from DCOs will have their asylum claim heard by the IRB within 30-45 days, depending on whether they make their claim at a port of entry or inland. In comparison, all other claimants will have a hearing within 60 days, compared to the current waiting period of 600 days. This means that all claimants will have their cases heard much faster.
Just as they do now, failed DCOs claimants will continue to have the option to seek appeal to the Federal Court to review a negative decision. However, they will not have access to the new Refugee Appeal Division at the IRB.
There will be no automatic stay of removal for DCO claimants should they ask the Federal Court to review a negative decision, which means that they could be removed from Canada while their application for review before the Federal Court is pending. In these circumstances, individuals can ask the Federal Court to stay their removal.
“In order for Canadians to continue to strongly support Canada’s tradition of providing protection to victims of persecution, they must have faith in the integrity of our asylum system,” said Minister Kenney. “With these improvements, we are ensuring that genuine refugees fleeing persecution will receive protection more quickly, while, at the same time, failed asylum claimants from generally safe countries will be removed much faster.”
To be considered for designation, a country must meet objective criteria related to the number of finalized asylum claims Canada receives from that country. For countries with 30 or more claims in any consecutive 12-month period during the three years preceding designation, quantitative criteria are used. At least 60% of claimants from the country must have withdrawn and abandoned their own claims, or least 75% of claims from a country have been withdrawn, abandoned, and rejected by the IRB.
In the case of countries with low numbers of asylum claims (i.e., no consecutive 12-month period with 30 or more finalized claims during the three years prior to designation), objective qualitative criteria are used, including the existence of an independent judicial system, recognition of basic democratic rights and freedoms and the existence of civil society organizations.
If a country meets these triggers, a thorough review is undertaken.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Antonio Guterres, recognised that “there are indeed Safe Countries of Origin and there are indeed countries in which there is a presumption that refugee claims will probably be not as strong as in other countries.” And he has recognised the legitimacy of providing expedited processing for asylum claimants from those generally safe countries.
Many developed democracies use a similar authority to accelerate asylum procedures for the nationals of countries not normally known to produce refugees. These states include the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, Belgium and Finland, among others. Some European Union (EU) states also have accelerated procedures for the nationals of other EU member states.
In fact, within the 27 member states of the EU, asylum claims from other EU nationals are considered to be manifestly unfounded. In many of these countries, claims by other EU nationals are considered inadmissible or are subjected to expedited processing. Among other things, this reflects that fact that EU citizens have mobility rights in all neighbouring EU countries.
The Protecting Canada’s Immigration System Act is expected to save provinces and territories $1.6 billion over five years in social assistance and education costs.
“Canada will continue to have the most fair and generous asylum system in the world,” said Minister Kenney. “We welcome 1 in 10 of the world’s resettled refugees, more than almost any other country in the world, and we are increasing that number by 20 percent.”
Canada’s new asylum system is the result of two laws passed by Parliament — the Balanced Refugee Reform Act (June 2010) and the Protecting Canada’s Immigration System Act (June 2012) – which amend the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA).

UK CENSUS 2011

The National census of 2011 show 7.5million people who were born abroad were living here last year – of whom more than half have arrived since 2001. Census officials said more than 70 per cent of the record rise in the overall population over the past decade is produced by people who migrated into Britain.