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04 Apr 2025
Anna’s story was featured on BBC Spotlight...
Anna’s story was featured on BBC Spotlight this week!
Anna Pinchuk, who is a trained cardiologist, was forced to flee her home in Ukraine with her seven-year-old daughter, Soffia. Anna has been supported by Refugee Support Devon’s RAMP (Refugees as Medical Professionals) project.
RAMP is aimed at finding ways to help forced migrants who are qualified and registered health practitioners (doctors, dentists, nurses, pharmacists etc.) in their own country fast-track into their chosen fields in a cost-effective way to fill the many vacancies that currently exist locally in the NHS.
In an interview featured on BBC Spotlight on Wednesday evening, Anna explained how the RAMP project has been a support to her since arriving in Devon three years ago: ‘I’m really grateful to Refugee Support Devon...I had marvellous classes with my tutors and I had great support from them’.
She explains how to be qualified to work in the medical field in the UK, the system you’ve got to go through is ‘tough and long’. Her first exam was an Occupational English Test, which she received support to help prepare for through free tutor sessions from Refugee Support Devon.
Since it’s set up, RAMP has helped over 40 professionals from around the world, including doctors, vets, ophthalmologists and nurses, pass their occupational English test.
Anna told the BBC how much Refugee Support Devon’s support has meant to her: ‘They are very kind and generous and we are extremely grateful for what they have done for us.’
Anna continues to build her career here alongside her daughter Soffia who is now 10 and settled in school.
We were thrilled to see Anna share her story with viewers across the South West and are pleased to continue supporting more medical professionals to build their careers here in the UK – in turn supporting our NHS, taking up the many positions that exist locally.
Are you a medically qualified refugee who would like to join the RAMP project or maybe you’re a qualified medical practitioner in the UK and could spare some time to volunteer?
Please e-mail esol@refugeesupportdevon.org.uk for more information on how to get involved.
You can read Anna’s feature online here or watch the interview segment on Blue-sky, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.
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