Bolton man rejected from medical schools now enjoying success

Jay Ladva, 34, said the achievements of his brother Dr Prash Ladva, 26, shows although “his background and environment should have put him at a disadvantage from pursuing a career in medicine”, through determination he has fluorished.

Prash, from Deane, was a carer for his grandmother when he was younger, leading to an avid interest in a career in healthcare.

In 2015, he applied to multiple medical schools but found himself being rejected but did not want to give up on his career goals.

At the age of 18, Prash relocated overseas to Bulgaria where he lived and trained for six years to qualify as a doctor before returning to the NHS in 2021, where he now works in A&E and acute medicine.

The NHS Induction programme (Image: LinkMedics International LTD)

Fast forwarding to 2019, Prash founded LinkMedics – a digital platform that connects other British citizens who had completed their medical training outside of the UK with NHS training, employment and pastoral care.

LinkMedics is essentially a "one-stop-shop" for overseas-trained doctors, providing everything from clinical training and education, pastoral care, NHS employment, networking and professional development.

He developed the NHS Induction Programme, which allows overseas doctors to safely practice and refine their clinical skills, per General Medical Council guidelines, before landing them into supported NHS employment.

Over three years as chief executive officer, he has built a team of 20 across four countries, established a medical advisory group with several high-profile stakeholders, led the development of a minimal viable product, and successfully piloted with NHS Trusts nationally.

LinkMedics pilots launched in September 2022 and is estimated to generate NHS savings of £1.7m.

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The programme also achieved an overseas "time to recruit" of 14 days (from a national average of 56 days) and expanded a depleting NHS workforce through an innovation pipeline and sustainable footing.

In the first six months since becoming operational, LinkMedics has now supported more than 150 new NHS doctors with the long-term socio-economic impact still to be realised.

In 2020, he was appointed a clinical entrepreneur at NHS England, allowing him to network with, and be mentored by, the most senior leaders in the NHS and private sectors, and to develop a commercial mindset.

He was later appointed an innovation fellow on Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Board to develop LinkMedics further.

Last year, he was appointed to the governing board of his previous school in Bolton to support implementing the school's long-term plan, strategy and values.

His journey and experiences culminated in his appointment as a clinical fellow to Professor Sir Stephen Powis, NHS England's national medical director.

NHS Induction programme

This role will allow him to operate at a national level within NHS England and directly contribute to national policy and strategy that will have a wide-reaching impact.

And now after all of his success, Prash’s brother Jay, wants to share how proud his is of Prash and show other people across the borough that they too can follow their dreams.

Jay said: “Being raised in a working-class family as a carer for his grandmother, he has always been acutely aware of the significant impact of mental and physical health issues, leading to an avid interest in a career in healthcare.

• Also read: Bolton NHS trust launch food parcel scheme to support patients

“Statistically, his background and environment should have put him at a disadvantage from pursuing a career in medicine, and to some extent, it did when he was rejected from UK medical schools in 2015.

“However, aged 18, still determined to study medicine, he relocated overseas to Bulgaria, where he lived and trained for six years to qualify as a doctor before returning to the NHS in 2021.

“Reflecting reminiscently, at the time, what appeared to be his biggest "vulnerability" has now become his greatest strength, instilling courage, dedication, and determination.

“Undoubtedly, by completing his medical training overseas and immersing himself in a new culture and language, he proved to be a resilient individual who persevered to reach his goals.

“Growing LinkMedics has profoundly impacted him- he innovated, became a lateral thinker, embraced change and challenge, and embedded these skills into his clinical practice.

“I'm incredibly proud that he's achieved all of this at 26."

If you have a story or something you would like to highlight in the community, please email me at chloe.wilson@newsquest.co.uk or DM me on Twitter @chloewjourno.