A family doctor originally from Pakistan has left the United Kingdom to start a new life in Canada, driven out by persistent racist abuse from patients within the NHS.
"One of the Good Ones": A GP's Struggle in the NHS
Dr Saad Khan, 39, was working as a GP in Kettering, Northamptonshire, before he and his wife Samantha made the decision to emigrate in July 2025. He described a demoralising environment where he felt compelled to constantly justify his presence and prove he was "one of the good ones" to prejudiced patients.
Dr Khan revealed he was subjected to the derogatory "P word" slur and faced intrusive questions about his origins, despite being a UK citizen. "It was a feeling of having to justify my existence again and again," he explained. He recalled one patient asking if he had "come off the boat", forcing him into the position of defending his background.
He expressed deep frustration with the NHS's zero-tolerance policy on hate, stating it was "very hard to enforce" in practice. "As a doctor my job should be to help people not make sure I don't get abused," Dr Khan said. "It became a no-win situation."
Seeking a New Beginning in British Columbia
The couple now resides in Kelowna, British Columbia, where Dr Khan says he has already positively impacted over 500 lives through his work. He highlights a superior work-life balance, with similar hours to the UK but almost double the take-home salary, and a more responsive healthcare system.
"In the UK as a GP I was a small cog in a very big machine," he remarked. "No matter how effectively I do my job, if the machine is not working I can't make a difference." In stark contrast to his experience in Britain, he has already met with British Columbia's Premier, David Eby, to discuss healthcare improvements.
A Heartfelt Decision and a Warning for the NHS
Dr Khan, who completed his medical training in Pakistan before moving to the UK via Qatar in 2017, said the emotional toll was the final straw. "I don't want my child being called the 'P word'," he stated, acknowledging future family plans.
In a social media video, he described his decision as "unscripted and from the heart", adding that many colleagues from similar demographics had reached out to share similar feelings. His wife, Samantha, is awaiting clearance to work as an occupational therapist in Canada.
While he still holds the UK in his heart, Dr Khan concluded: "I thought I could either be spending another 30 years trying to fix an unfixable system, or I could prioritise my needs and move on." His departure underscores a growing crisis of retention within the NHS, where skilled professionals are seeking better conditions abroad.
