10 Israeli surgeons to visit UK in exchange of medical knowledge

A group of ten young Israeli surgeons are due to visit the UK next week to learn more from British experts in the latest exchange of medical knowledge, writes Stephen Oryszczuk

The medics, who are all qualified in general surgery, will tour colorectal departments at University College Hospital, St. Thomas’s Hospital and Kings College Hospital for one week from 28 February, in order to learn more about the specialism.

It is the third year that the Israel, Britain and Commonwealth Association has paid for ten Israelis to come to the UK to learn more about colorectal surgery, and this year’s visit includes a meeting at the House of Parliament. 

Those visiting are from medical centres in Kfar Saba, Haifa, Petah Tikva, Jerusalem, Nahariya, Hadera, Afula and Ramat Gan, including three Israeli Arabs and several from Russia and Latin America. 

“The group reflects the make-up of Israeli hospital staff,” said a spokesman for the Jewish Medical Association (JMA). “Israeli hospitals employ staff simply by virtue of their qualification, and treat all simply by virtue of their need.”

He added: “As Shimon Peres, the former Israeli president, has pointed out; hospitals are one of the places in Israel where there is peace and coexistence among different ethnic groups.”