Well, So Much For That Theory

[GenX]

"The suspected ringleader of the Al Qaeda car bombers is a brilliant neurologist working for the NHS, it was revealed today.

Saudi Mohammed Asha, 26, was arrested with his 27-year-old wife, who was in traditional Muslim dress, on the M6 in Cheshire on Saturday night.

The development comes as a section of the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley was cordoned off while a bomb disposal squad was called in.

Dr Asha came top of his class at the University of Jordan in 2004 with an "excellent score" and has been practising in Britain since 2005.

Police hunting for the terror cell behind the failed London and Glasgow bombings are searching his detached home in cul-de-sac Sunningdale Grove in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire.

Neighbours said they believed Dr Asha and his wife have one young child. The General Medical Council said Dr Asha holds a provisional registration which enabled him to work in the NHS under supervision."

LINK (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=465481&in_page_id=1770&ct=5)

So much for the theory that Islamic extremists come from the poor and downtrodden of society.

Too bad, really. Such a theory made it very easy to blame any and all problems with Islamic extremists on U.S. foregin policy in the region.

Now our resident 'blame the U.S. first' people may have to actually...think!

[Return of Too Many Daves]

Western (not just US) foreign policy is just an excuse.

I believe all the "islamic terrorists" that have attacked in Britain, have been home grown.

[Hans]

I just find it odd a doctor who graduated in Jordan can practice a year later in Britain. Don't they have to write their qualification test AFTER their immigration is handled successfully?

[Return of Too Many Daves]

From Times Online
July 2, 2007

Q&A: Mohammad Asha and foreign doctors
Nigel Hawkes
A doctor qualified in Jordan and working here, Mohammad Asha, has been named as one of those arrested in connection with the series of failed car bomb attacks in recent days. What do we know about him?

Not much. He graduated in 2004, so would still be on the lowest rungs of medical training, as a junior hospital doctor. His specialist interest is reported to be neurology.

How do foreign doctors arrive and qualify for work in the UK?

Every year thousands of foreign doctors apply to register as doctors in the UK. The normal route, for a doctor who has qualified outside Europe from a recognised medical school, is to take tests of competence in English - the Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) test. An alternative route is to apply for postgraduate training at a recognised institution. Graduates who pass the PLAB test or win a postgraduate training place qualify for "limited registration" by the General Medical Council.

What is limited registration?

It is a form of probationary rgistration which does not enable the recipient to practice, except in a specified job where he or she is supervised by a fully-registered doctor. This is the form of registratiion held by Mohammad Asha, who graduated in Jordan in 2004 and was first given limited registration by the GMC in October 2005. It is not known whether he applied through PLAB or thrugh a postgraduate training programme.

How many doctors from aboard apply to work here?

Many thousands take the PLAB test every year, with numbers rising fast. In 2003 nearly 8,000 passed PLAB 1 and 5,000 PLAB 2. By 2004 the number passing PLAB 2 had risen to 7,500. But many graduates who pass find it very difficult to get jobs - more than a third who passed PLAB 2 in 2003 were still unemployed six months later. Those who do get jobs often find themselves in short-term posts, or six-month posts with no guarantee of further employment.

Who checks if they are who they say they are?

It is up to employing trusts to make these checks, advised by NHS Employers. Checks would include confirmation of identity, references and qualifications, plus a criminal records check. This is obviously harder to do in the case of international graduates, but the Criminal Records Bureau can provide country-by-country advice on whether and how it can be done.

Engaging in bombings is hardly compatible with a doctor's normal duty of care, is it?

It is entirely alien to all that doctors have stood for since Hippocrates first drafted the oath than enjoins doctors to "do no harm". While not all graduates these days swear the Hippocratic Oath on graduation, its principles still bind their conduct.

[GenX]

What does that mean, in accordance to the original post?

[Return of Too Many Daves]

Nothing, I was responding to Hans. Is there a problem with that?

[GenX]

Normally people PM me to ask if they can respond or not. I grant permission on a case by case scenario. I have not allowed some people to post for ten months now. It's just the way it goes.

I'll dismiss your indiscretion as youthful exuberance and nervousness being in my presence.

However, I suggest it not happen again.

[The Berean]

Don't let it bother you TMD. Bird poop is his best weapon.

[GenX]

You'll never make it as a political or social commentator...but the land of comedy may have found its new Eddie Murphy.

Hilarious, hilarious stuff.

[darryl smith]

I was not aware you were sensoring your threads, but I will assume you have no problem with my posting in your threads speedy, if you do PM me and I will stop.