Ukrainian refugee doctor rebuilds medical career through innovative volunteering programme in Liverpool

With limited English language skills, no understanding of NHS systems and the prospect of having to pass examinations required to practise in Britain, Yana Flyenko feared she might never be able to continue the profession she had worked so hard to establish.

But through the ‘Volunteer to Career for Refugees’ programme – developed by national charity Helpforce and supported by Liverpool Women's NHS Foundation Trust – she has found a route back into medicine.

Yana's story highlights the potential contribution refugee healthcare professionals could make to the NHS at a time of ongoing workforce pressures.

There are around 7,500 doctor vacancies and 21,600 unfilled nursing roles in England alone,  contributing to mounting strain on services and long waiting times for patients. Meanwhile, an estimated 2,000 refugee doctors are currently living in the UK, alongside many more refugee nurses, midwives and allied health professionals. Yet many struggle to return to their professions due to the kinds of barriers Yana faced.

Across the UK, around 300 refugee healthcare professionals have moved into paid healthcare roles through ‘Volunteer to Career for Refugees’ and similar initiatives over the past three years.

Now Helpforce – together with organisations including NHS Employers, the Refugee Council, Breaking Barriers and the Ukrainian Medical Charity – is calling for greater investment in specialist support pathways, arguing they could release a 'torrent of talent' into the stretched health service.

Yana, 36, had built a successful career as a GP and medical lecturer in Kharkiv before Russia's invasion forced her family to flee.

"I realised I could hear the explosions – the sounds of war," she recalled. "We didn't know what to do. Do we go to work? Do we stay at home? Do we run?"

Within hours, the family joined thousands escaping the city. A journey that would normally take two hours lasted more than 16.

Like many Ukrainians, Yana initially hoped the war would end quickly. Instead, as the conflict dragged on, daily life became increasingly difficult. "We thought maybe tomorrow the war will finish," she said. "But by winter we didn't have heating, electricity or internet. It was very difficult for my daughter to study. I was exhausted.”

In January 2023, Yana made the painful decision to move to Liverpool with her daughter, Zlata, while her husband, Vitalii, remained in Ukraine because of wartime conscription rules.

"Everything was new - a different country, different rules. I felt frightened and confused," she said. "I realised my English was not as good as I believed. It was a very uncertain time."

Determined not to abandon the medical career she had spent years building, Yana began the lengthy process of preparing for the English language and medical examinations required to practise in Britain.

A friend suggested volunteering through Helpforce's ‘Volunteer to Career for Refugees’ programme at Liverpool Women's NHS Foundation Trust. Beginning in a meet-and-greet role before supporting maternity and gynaecology wards, Yana says the experience transformed her confidence.

"The hospital staff were incredibly supportive," she said. "I never felt embarrassed when I couldn't express my thoughts or didn't understand something.

"When you had a good job and a good life, and then you come to a new country and can't work, you can feel depressed. Coming to the hospital helped me feel valued again, as part of a medical community. I felt less isolated.”

The experience also strengthened Yana’s determination to return to medicine.

"Volunteering reminded me why I chose medicine in the first place," she explained. "I feel like I'm making a meaningful contribution to the country that welcomed me."

Across the UK, around 300 refugee healthcare professionals have moved into paid healthcare roles through ‘Volunteer to Career for Refugees’ – funded by the Rayne Foundation - and similar initiatives over the past three years.

Amerjit Chohan, Chief Executive of Helpforce, said: "The NHS continues to face significant workforce challenges, while many medically qualified refugees are struggling to find routes back into careers they have spent years building. “We have seen first-hand how structured volunteering can help individuals regain confidence, understand NHS systems and move into frontline healthcare roles. “Yana's story demonstrates the incredible experience, resilience and determination that refugee healthcare professionals bring. Greater investment in programmes like ours could release a torrent of talent into the NHS.”

Yana, who lives in Edge Hill, has now passed all the required English language and medical examinations and last month she secured her General Medical Council registration. She hopes to soon start practising as a doctor in Liverpool.

Gina Barr, Voluntary Services Manager at Liverpool Women’s NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Yana’s story illustrates great resilience and determination. We are proud to have helped her on her way back to working in medicine and we are currently supporting other medically-qualified refugees to do likewise.”

Information and support for refugees with medical backgrounds can be found at www.helpforce.community