Story perspectives

Investigation Reveals NHS Trust Exploited Pakistani Doctors

1/10/2026

Summary

Story summary

The British Medical Journal (BMJ) investigation found that University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Trust used Pakistani doctors as cheap labor through a scheme from 2017–2025, with most doctors remaining in the UK and the trust paying £40.5 million to Scholar and Trainee Services Ltd.
Many doctors did not pay taxes.
UHB failed to conduct basic pre-employment checks including criminal record screenings.
The program was terminated amid concerns of mismanagement and corruption.

1 of 1

Story summary

The British Medical Journal (BMJ) investigation found that University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Trust used Pakistani doctors as cheap labor through a scheme from 2017–2025, with most doctors remaining in the UK and the trust paying £40.5 million to Scholar and Trainee Services Ltd.
Many doctors did not pay taxes.
UHB failed to conduct basic pre-employment checks including criminal record screenings.
The program was terminated amid concerns of mismanagement and corruption.