The government has confirmed the allocation of extra funding towards recruiting refugees with healthcare skills into the NHS.

Since its establishment in 2001, the Refugee Health Professional Steering Group has received £1.5 million funding. 

However, addressing the Employability Forum conference on Monday, health minister John Hutton announced that a further £500,000 would be spent on the scheme, which offers projects on language courses, clinical skills courses and work shadowing schemes.

"Refugee nurses and doctors have a great deal to offer the NHS and we want to help them use their skills," Hutton said.

"Refugees are not like other international health professionals - most did not choose to come to this country and may come unprepared for life in the UK.

"They need help getting up to the standards needed to pass the necessary English language tests and clinical exams, and they also need a proper induction into the workings of the NHS.

"Being able to access the right training and support is crucially important for refugee health professionals, so that everyone can benefit from their skills.

"This new boost is good news for refugee health professionals and patients."