The Government has been slammed after it emerged GPs are being offered £135,000 a year to provide “first-class treatment” for migrants awaiting deportation. The taxpayer-funded salaries are significantly greater than the average pay per annum of NHS GPs (£79,000) and the maximum (around £120,000).
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp has accused the Home Office of providing “red-carpet treatment” to illegal migrants. The vacancy is at Heathrow Immigration Removal Centre (IRC) where detainees also include foreign criminals. The salaries are being offered by contractor Mitie, acting on behalf of the Home Office.
A job description for the post, advertised online, says: “We have an exciting opportunity for a General Practitioner to join our team at Heathrow IRC.
“Heathrow IRC is based in Colnbrook, West Drayton, providing care to around 820 patients across 2 sites.
“Within this role you will be working closely with the multidisciplinary team to provide high quality patient care. You will deliver clinical sessions, inpatient ward rounds and blood screening.
“Ideal applicant would enjoy working in a fast-paced environment where no two days are the same, and have some experience with patients who have a history substance misuse needs and detox.”
Speaking to The Telegraph, Mr Philp said: “Hard-working British taxpayers have to wait ages to see a GP, get a hospital appointment or have an operation, but the Government is giving red-carpet treatment to illegal immigrants.
“No wonder illegal immigrants from all over Europe flood across the English Channel when the government spends billions of pounds of our money to cosset them. We need to leave the ECHR and then these illegal immigrants can be deported within a week of arrival.”
Last month, the senior Conservative described adverts — exclusively revealed by the Express — for two part-time barbers at a different IRC as an “insult”.
As per The Telegraph, detained migrants are entitled to the same “range and quality” of NHS treatment available to the wider public under Home Office rules.
Earlier this year, the Government ordered adverts posted by Mitie for staff to teach floristry and balloon craft to migrants at the Heathrow IRC to be taken down.
Minister Seema Malhotra said the department did not believe the positions are “necessary”
The Express has contacted the Home Office for comment.
