London GP among hundreds of UK doctors to answer Israel's call for volunteers

A London GP is among hundreds of UK doctors who have added their names to an Israeli health ministry list of medics willing to get on a plane and spend two weeks volunteering their expertise.

The idea of compiling a list of medical professionals in the diaspora prepared to help in the event of an emergency was already in progress before 7 October, according to Joel Collick, who is co-ordinating it. After the Hamas massacre, it took on a new lease of life.

Joel Collick, who works in the international affairs department at the ministry of health, said the project was launched on about day three of the war. He and his colleagues sent online forms to medical professionals around the world who wished to register and within a short space of time thousands of responses had come in, including from about 200 UK doctors.

“All the work is done within the ministry,” he said. “We check documents, organise work permits and have all their credentials ready. So when the time comes they can hop on a plane and be ready – fast-tracked to where they are needed.”

Collick, who made aliyah from the UK five years ago, said the project had been envisaged for use either during a war or for a natural disaster such as a catastrophic earthquake. “We hope that the majority of doctors will never have to come,” he added. However, as the current war was “potentially a protracted conflict”, the need is very much there.

Already about 150 doctors from around the world have come to Israel under the scheme, generally for a two-week period, treating wounded soldiers and others in most major hospitals, from the Barzilai Medical Centre in Ashkelon in the south to the Ziv in Tsfat, in the north. They work in both government and non-government institutions, such as the Hadassah hospitals in Jerusalem.

One of the British doctors who has volunteered is a GP working in the NHS in south-west London.

When friends in Israel sent her the form to register to volunteer, she didn’t hesitate. “I was born and brought up in Israel, did my national service and worked in the IDF as a medical orderly instructor and that inspired me to be a medic,” she said. “This would be my way of feeling we can do something.”

After filling out the form last month, she took part in a webinar with other volunteers and is now waiting to be called. “Hopefully I’ll be asked,” she said. “I’m proud of this.” Her keenness comes despite having a demanding workload and three children, two of whom are in primary school. She would hope to do a two-week stint.

As someone who is fluent in Hebrew, and knows Israel so well, she is a strong candidate. Already she is providing support, hosting her brother and his children, who have flown back to the UK from Israel for a break.

One thing she is aware of is that in Israel “we have one another”, as she puts it. “Here, there’s so much hostility. It’s so awkward for many colleagues.” They are often unsure whether to speak about the conflict. “They don’t know whether to ask questions and whether that will spark pain.”

As well as doctors, other professionals are sought: dentists, nurses (including nursing students), paramedics, nutritionists, social workers, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, psychologists, pharmacists and physician assistants. All professionals must have a licence to practise.

Acknowledging the commitment of those doctors and other health workers willing to interrupt their personal and professional lives and come to Israel, Collick adds that the ministry is also looking for those able to volunteer for longer than two weeks. He describes the project as building a large, global community of medical professionals, strengthening the relationship of Israel with the diaspora.

Medical volunteers can register with the Israeli health ministry here.