Communities are a wonderful thing and feeling part of a community is vital to any doctor and their family looking to make a new home for themselves in the UK.  In this article we will look at seven of the communities that exist in both professional and social circle, which can help you to be happy in your new NHS job and UK home. Study preparations groups Whether it's preparing for PLAB, Royal College or IELTS exams, having friends or colleagues to revise with and push each other is incredibly important. You can find WhatsApp groups for the specific exams on our IMG Community Facebook page and we highly recommend joining a study group if you have not already. Any friends and family in the UK Make the most of any contacts you already have. Make sure to get in touch with any friends or relations let them know your relocation plans. They may give you some trusted hints and tips for the area you are moving to, or just make sure you are looked after from the moment you touch down.  Either way, building friend and family circles around you is very important. Facebook groups and the IMG Community There are many Facebook groups out there geared towards helping doctors like yourself trying to work as a doctor in the UK.  With that in mind, IMG Connect runs a vetted Facebook community that covers all the topics that you might need help or support on. This includes exam support, registration guidance, first-hand advice and knowledge on hospitals and their departments, relocation support, schooling etc. This list goes on and on!  Whatever question or help you might need, you can ask us in private or publicly to the community page, you will usually have a response in minutes.  By joining the IMG Community Facebook group you will be immediately in touch with thousands of people in very similar scenarios to yourself. Colleagues and peers in your department The relationships you hold with the people at work are hugely important; you will spend roughly 60-70% of your day working with them after all! Make sure to involve yourself with your department, the hospital as a whole and become part of the trust’s wider community.  Understanding with their values whilst engaging socially with your colleagues will go a long way to ensuring you are happy and content in your day-to-day job and make you a much better NHS doctor. GMC workshops and events As the GMC knows, adapting to a new healthcare system is hard for any doctor, regardless of experience. The GMC’s free Welcome to UK Practice workshop is designed to help doctors new to the NHS. By offering guidance on GMC and UK medical ethics, it aims to give you the confidence and assurance to make the right choices in difficult ethical scenarios.  These are of course great ways to connect with doctors in similar situations to your own, allowing you to make new friends & contacts with other doctors new to the NHS like yourself. Royal College courses, workshops and events As with the GMC, Royal Colleges in the UK run a wide variety of professional and cultural events that are often free to attend.  Take them up on opportunities to further your learning or meet interesting and influential people in your specialty! Whether it’s an art exhibition hosted by your Royal College or an amazing talk by a field specialist, being a member and part of Royal College community is a valuable thing. The local community you move to Anyone and everyone can get involved in your community. It doesn’t matter who you are, how old you are, what you believe in; there will always be something there for you. What you get in return is both priceless and invaluable whatever stage of life you are at: Meeting new people – building new friendships, improving your English, experiencing different cultures, improving relations between different communities in your area, building confidence, self-esteem and giving structure to life in the UK. Get involved in your local school, charities and parks, or look online for groups, activities and events.  And if you do it right… helping people whilst having fun! IMG Jobs  Search and find live NHS doctor jobs in the UK IMG Resources Read more useful articles on finding an NHS trust doctor job, pay scales & doctor’s salary in the UK, relocation and much more!   Get in Touch Don’t hesitate to get in touch using the buttons above (and below) to discuss doctor job options in the NHS, including discussions regarding a typical doctor salary in the UK and the most suitable hospital locations for you. For regular news and updates, follow IMG Connect on social media using the links below:                  

NHS Consultant Salary: Take-Home Pay for International Doctors in Northern Ireland For international medical graduates (IMGs) interested in working in the NHS, understanding what an NHS consultant salary could mean as monthly take-home pay in Northern Ireland is crucial for financial planning. To help overseas doctors prepare for life in the UK, we’ve compiled examples to give you a clearer picture of what you might expect to take home each month. How Much Will I Take Home? In the UK, take-home pay refers to the amount deposited into your bank account after all necessary deductions have been made from your annual salary. These deductions typically include: Income Tax National Insurance contributions NHS pension payments It's important to note that these figures serve as guidelines. We’ve calculated them based on the gross salary at each pay threshold, assuming no other sources of income. Your actual take-home pay could vary depending on several factors, such as: Additional responsibilities or extra hours worked Other income sources Your final tax bracket Opting out of the NHS pension Claiming tax-deductible expenses Take-Home Pay Expectations in Northern Ireland For NHS consultants and specialty doctors working in Northern Ireland, your monthly take-home pay will fluctuate based on these variables. We recommend consulting with an IMG specialist to help you better understand your potential earnings and to explore ways to maximise your income. Keep in mind that NHS pay scales can be influenced by factors like experience, job responsibilities, and the specific Trust you’re employed by. By having a realistic understanding of your NHS consultant salary and how it translates into monthly take-home pay, you'll be better prepared for a successful career and life in the UK. Threshold Annual gross salary* Estimated annual take-home pay** Estimated monthly take-home pay** 1 £88,799 £60,533 £5,046 2 £91,581 £62,166 £5,181 3 £94,362 £63,779 £5,315 4 £97,141 £65,391 £5,449 5 £99,913 £66,999 £5,583 6 £106,520 £69,527 £5,794 7 £113,124 £72,037 £6,003 8 £119,723 £74,544 £6,212   *before tax and pension **based on standard salary and not inclusive of additional payments for extra hours worked or pension deductions To explore detailed information on NHS pay scales and salary conditions across all grades in the UK, check out our comprehensive series of blogs on career structure and NHS doctor pay in our IMG Resources library. These resources are designed to help international doctors understand their earning potential at various stages of their careers in the NHS.

Completing your exams and registrations is one thing, moving to another country is another... All in all, IMGs aspiring to work in the NHS have an awful lot to get done. We know this and is why we exist as a company - to guide and support international doctors on their journey to becoming a doctor in the UK. Here we'll look at 7 mental approaches to making sure your early weeks, months and hopefully years in the UK are sucessful and happy ones! 1. Right mentality When approaching this new challenge, remember the right mentality is key to enjoying your new life and flourishing in your new job. It is understandable that you might be a touch nervous before moving, but whatever your mindset before leaving home try to embrace the new challenge with enthusiasm and a positive mindset. 2. Build support networks Having someone’s support is essential and even the most resilient of characters would struggle without it. Support can come from many different places and sources, from your friends or family back home or those you are closest to in the UK.  Online forums and communities, like our IMG Community, can be incredibly helpful when questions or experiences that you have and you can likely get a response in minutes to a problem that has bothered you for a while.  3. Build social and professional networks At IMG Connect we are big believer in building and utilizing the communities around us, both online and in real life. Ask your peers at work for advice where you need it and think about attending the various professional or social gatherings that you come to be aware of.  It is worth remembering, most people love to share their experiences and offer their advice, whether your peers or new friends you have made in the UK. Use these as opportunities to get to know people around you better. 4. Be socially brave and integrate with your community Always throw yourself into social scenarios and don’t be afraid to introduce yourself to new people. The quicker you settle into your new job and home, the quicker you will be feeling comfortable and happy in your day to day! 5. Be patient Adjusting to a new system and new country will take time – remember that. It may take a number of months to get things where you want them and up to a year to feel at home in your new scenery. Don’t be afraid of this, just be aware and be patient. 6. Be resilient and remember why you’re doing this Deciding to relocate to the UK would certainly not have been a decision you took lightly. Remember all the reasons you took the decision to move in the first place, and don’t lost sight of them. Things will invariably get tough at some stage but keep your goals in in throughout.  7. Remember your importance and the good that you do Finally, remember the amazing things you do every day as a doctor, and what a valuable service you provide to NHS and the British population. You should never forget the importance of your job and positive impact it has on the community around you. For more useful blogs & articles on relocation, life & culture in the UK & NHS – take a look at our IMG Library. IMG Jobs  Search and find live NHS doctor jobs in the UK IMG Resources Read more useful articles on finding an NHS trust doctor job, pay scales & doctor’s salary in the UK, relocation and much more!   Get in Touch Get in touch using the buttons above (and below) to discuss doctor job opportunities in the NHS, including discussions regarding a typical doctor salary in the UK and the most suitable hospital locations for you. For regular news and updates, follow IMG Connect on social media using the links below:              

It is a good idea for all international doctors new to working in the UK to attend a workshop, course or training programme aimed at helping doctors understand the ethical challenges faced in UK practice. We advise all IMGs to take part in the GMC workshop - 'Welcome to UK Practice'  In this short article we will explore why, focusing on the GMCs ‘Welcome to UK Practice’ training programme.  The NHS relies on overseas doctors to deliver the highest quality of healthcare, and so are now taking extra steps to ensuring that they are addressing some of the vital aspects of settling into the system that have perhaps been missed in the past, and that other healthcare systems perhaps don’t offer. As such the GMC have considered the following questions: how to provide a better induction so that doctors can practice safely how do we help doctors to work to a different set of social norms, such as when dealing with confidentiality and consent how do we ensure that overseas doctors have a successful first year in the NHS In doing so they have established the free training programme ‘Welcome to UK Practice’, which is designed to help doctors adjust and adapt to work in the UK, and subsequently the NHS. It addresses the fact that there can be differences in practicing medicine across the world, as well as the time it can take to adjust to a new culture at work. It offers practical workshops and guidance through ethical scenarios, as well as the opportunity to work with and meet other IMGs coming to practice in the UK.  The GMC also offer workshops designed to guide doctors with their practice, covering topics such as confidentiality, raising a concern, use of social media, consent & making joint decisions, and leadership & management.   We recommend attending the ‘Welcome to UK Practice’ course before you start working in the UK Or the very least just after you start your new post in the NHS. Not only will this give you a boost in terms of how to approach your new role, working with peers, senior colleagues and patients, but it will also give you a chance to discuss your concerns with doctors in similar situations. It is a great forum and platform for a successful first year in the NHS.  IMG Jobs  Search and find live NHS doctor jobs in the UK IMG Resources Read more useful articles on finding an NHS trust doctor job, pay scales & doctor’s salary in the UK, relocation and much more!   Get in Touch Don’t hesitate to get in touch using the buttons above (and below) to discuss doctor job options in the NHS, including discussions regarding a typical doctor salary in the UK and the most suitable hospital locations for you.

Medical Defence, via insurance or immunity, can be important for international doctors. As an overseas doctor there are many things to consider when setting up your new life in the UK, one of which is your medical defence and whether to pay for additional cover. In this article we will help explain medical defence, considering the following topics: What is medical defence and do i need it? What indemnity will my trust provide me? Types of medical defence Who can I get medical defence from? IMG Connect's advice What is medical defence and do I need it? Unfortunately, human error is unavoidable and covering yourself against any claim is vital to the continuation of your career as a UK doctor. Appropriate medical defence will provide support for clinical negligence claims made against you whilst working in the UK.  It is a GMC requirement to have adequate or appropriate insurance in place to cover the full scope of your practice in the UK.  What indemnity will my trust provide me? Your NHS Trust will provide you indemnity for the work you are assigned as part of your contract, and you are not legally obliged to take out separate indemnity. However, your NHS Trust indemnity will cover the bare minimum and any extra work you do outside of the specific list of duties in your contract is not covered.  In addition, your Trust indemnity will not cover you for complaints made against you specifically. This includes Trust disciplinary hearings, GMC hearings, criminal investigations, coroner inquests or any private work you undertake. In summary, it is strongly advisable to take out separate indemnity to cover you against all eventualities as a doctor. Types of Medical Defence: There are two types of medical defence:  Indemnity  Insurance Indemnity works on the basis that the claim is covered as long as the cover was in place at the time the incident occurred. Insurance only covers you whilst the policy is in place and/or for a defined period after – called the ‘run off’ period. With the nature of work many doctors prefer indemnity over insurance, as claims can arise years after the event. This rings particularly true in cases involving children where 10+ years can pass before a claim is made. Who can I get Medical Defence from? There are three major Medical Defence Organisations (MDOs) who provide indemnity cover, not insurance. All of them are not-for-profit organisations rather than commercial companies and these are: Medical Protection Society (MPS) Medical Defence Union (MDU) Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland (MDDUS) The benefits of membership of the MDOs differ, it is important that you consider each one carefully before making a choice. IMG Connect's advice: Anyone you speak to will strongly advise a doctor working in the UK to take out separate indemnity insurance. This is vital to ensure you are covered at any point you actively practiced as a doctor in the UK.  For avoidance of doubt, consider the significance of the risks for not doing so. We would suggest treating your defence cover as if it were any other utility or provider, and shop around to make sure you get the most comprehensive package at the best value for money. At IMG Connect we are not legal advisors and we want to make clear that we are offering our advice based on conversations with the GMC and any doctors we have worked with. We strongly advise you to seek a professional opinion to form the basis of your decision. IMG Jobs  Search and find live NHS doctor jobs in the UK IMG Resources In our IMG Resources library you can read more useful articles on finding an NHS trust doctor job, pay scales & doctor’s salary in the UK, relocation and much more!   Get in Touch Get in touch using the buttons above (and below) to discuss doctor job opportunities in the NHS, including discussions regarding a typical doctor salary in the UK and the most suitable hospital locations for you. For regular news and updates, follow IMG Connect on social media using the links below:              

Are you an overseas physician looking to move to the UK?  Here, you can hear first-hand the experiences of an international general physician who has been through the process, from completing their MRCP and GMC registration, to securing an NHS job and relocating to the UK? IMG Stories is our series introducing you to international doctors who we have helped to relocate to the UK - sharing their personal journeys from working overseas to securing a new job as a doctor in the NHS.  Today we introduce you to Rehan Qureshi, a brilliant general medicine specialty doctor who relocated to the UK from Saudi Arabia with his wife, children and his mother in 2020. Having passed the MRCP and English language exams, Rehan received full GMC registration with license to practise. He is now working in the NHS at Scarborough General Hospital in the north of England – where he is making a fantastic impact on the service and wider community.   Tell us about yourself - what should the IMG community know about Rehan Qureshi? I'm a physician with a special interest in acute and renal medicine and over 19 years of multi-centre clinical experience. My other areas of interest are clinical research, healthcare quality and patient safety, medical education as well as medical leadership. What motivated you to move to the UK?  I was practicing overseas where despite working very hard, I had very limited prospects in terms of career progression and growth. I have always admired the NHS’ policy of ‘fair and equal opportunities for all’, and I view the UK in general as a fair and multicultural society. Tell us about your experience with the Royal College of Physicians exams... Honestly, these were some very hard times … as a family, it was quite tough for us while I was taking my MRCP exams. Each time I failed, my wife cried … but I didn't because I knew, the only way to get through the process and past failure was resilience! That helped and in the end I passed! Do you have any tips or advice for overseas doctors who are currently working towards MRCP? Never lose hope. Set a goal, work hard towards it and keep trying until you succeed! Avoid negativity and people who discourage you. Remember, MRCP is very much doable, though not easy. Practice is the key! How did you manage to navigate and juggle the different aspects of registration whilst working? I divided my day into four parts: work, MRCP, family and rest. I'd ususally finish work by 5pm and immediately begin my MRCP practice from 5pm - 8pm at the hospital. After getting back home at about 8:30pm, I'd have time for dinner and to spentd a couple of hours with family before going to sleep. The weekends were definitely better, but I'd still spend at least 6 hours in the library. I'd suggest you start your intense preparation no sooner than 6 months in advance. You need to work hard, but try to avoid burnout. For me, it worked. Did you have any major or unexpected issues with the GMC registration process or your visa application? I had none at all - everything went smoothly. How did you find a medical oncology job within the NHS?  To be honest, I connected with Marcus & Ruaidhri, who did everything for me. They actually made my journey to getting my first NHS job a piece of cake! This was to the extent that when we arrived in the UK and reached our hotel, (at a time when the UK was in lockdown due to COVID), we had all our groceries promptly delivered by them. What more could anyone ask for? I knew some friends who were working with other agencies that left everything to them. With how much IMG Connect had helped me, I used to ask Ruaidhri questions to help my friends as well. My advice: find yourself an agency that is known to be responsible and is keen to truly help. I personally found IMG connect very very helpful! Tell us about your journey to the UK... It was scary to travel at a time when the UK was in lockdown and COVID-19 cases were so high. However, my journey was made very simple, since all the logistics including visas were sorted by Ruaidhri, so we did not face any unnecessary hassle. I would say, it was a very smooth transition, we enjoyed two weeks of quarantine as we had been longing to spend some quality time together as a family and enjoy a good rest before starting up again. What has been your experience working with IMG Connect?  The support I received on this journey was amazing. I absolutely could not ask for more. For the first time in my life, I traveled without any need to think or worry about logistics because they were being so well-managed by Ruaidhri and his team at IMG connect. My wife and I were traveling with young children and my elderly mother, and I must say, we have been taken care of very well! How are you settling into life in the UK? We have been settling in very well. In Scarborough, we have a beach that my children enjoy going to, and they also love their new school. Not for a single day have we felt that we are in a country of different culture, ethnicity or faith. My daughter had a pleasant surprise when her school teacher greeted her with 'Eid Mubarak' on the day of Eid festive, which was a great welcome during our first time celebrating Eid in the UK. The UK is truly wonderful and people are very welcoming here. It's beautifully blended multi-cultural society and we consider the UK our home now. What have you enjoyed most about living in Scarborough in particular? So many things: the beach, the variety of fun activities for children - like steam engine trains and parks. We've even enjoyed snow for the first time. Fish and chips are great! Traveling in the UK is absolutely easy and fun and there's so much to do and see. What opportunities have become available to you through your work? I am really enjoying my current role. Within a year of joining the NHS as a specialty doctor, I now hold 4 different roles: I'm a senior lecturer at Hull York Medical School, an SAS regional representative for RCP London, an SAS Teaching Fellow and a member of the RCPQI. I’m also starting my postgraduate certificate in health professions education funded by the HEE. I have the support of mt Trust with my CESR application and have been given the opportunity for research and to become a medical examiner.  For comparison, I was in my previous position for a decade, and only had one role with no career progression prospects. What’s next for you now that you’re working in the UK? I think you should always aim high with your goals. I aim to establish myself as a clinical leader as well as an academic leader, a clinical researcher and principal investigator. In the short term, I look forward to taking on the new 'Specialist' role and making progress on my CESR application with my hospital's support. What’s been the biggest challenge you’ve faced in moving to the UK? This would be my mother's visa. I'm an only child, so I couldn't relocate without her. Before finding IMG connect, many agencies had contacted me with job opportunities and all refused to help with my mother's visa. IMG Connect on the other hand, never give up. Marcus & Ruaidhri, perhaps, enjoy such challenges :-) Ruaidhri literally went out on a limb to help me on this. He contacted people, introduced me to an agency, helped me prepare the entire case and finally - we got it done and my mother was given her visa! I can't tell you what a huge relief it was. A big thank you to Ruaidhri, Marcus and the entire team at IMG Connect for this! Have you experienced any culture shocks living in the UK? Not at all! As I said, the UK is a multicultural, multi-faith country. People here in Yorkshire are very welcoming. We can easily find Halal food from local shops which also sell vegetarian food. We have a mosque in town, and there are separate prayer rooms for both male and female Muslim staff in the hospital. We feel so at home here. What have you missed about Saudi Arabia the most? We've definitely missed our old friends, and relatives. Is there anything you wish you’d known before you began your journey to live and work in the UK? I already had most of the information I needed before I came by Ruaidhri and Marcus, so there was nothing that came as a shock or surprise to me. Do you have any tips or advice for international doctors who want to move to the UK? I have a couple of pieces of advice. Firstly, if you are struggling to progress in your career, consider relocating to the UK. Here, it does not matter who you are, or where you come from. What matters is how dedicated and hardworking you are and I think your hard work always pays off. The NHS is a great institution and wonderful place to work. Secondly, I'd say consider taking an specialty doctor role. It's a great position where you'll have career prospects to develop as a locum consultant and enjoy a good work-life balance. Moving to live and work in the UK is a big decision to make but can be massively rewarding in many ways. International doctors have the chance to find a new home and the NHS presents an incredible opportunity to secure rewarding jobs, progress within their field and explore adjacent opportunities such as CESR (for non-EEA doctors), writing publications and research. Whatever route an overseas doctor may take on their journey to the UK, IMG Connect is here to support them through every step and welcome them to the IMG Connect family.    To receive the latest news and updates on the Royal Colleges, GMC registration and the NHS, as well as more #IMGStories, follow us on social media and join the conversation.              

Are you an overseas psychiatrist looking to move to the UK? Have you always wanted to hear first-hand the experiences of an international psychiatrist who has been through the process, from receiving full GMC registration to securing an NHS job and relocating to the UK?    IMG Stories is our series introducing you to international doctors who we have helped to relocate to the UK - sharing their personal journeys from working overseas to securing a new job as a doctor in the NHS.  Today we introduce Francesco Spadaro, a brilliant consultant psychiatrist who relocated to the UK from Italy. Francesco has been living and working in the UK after receiving full GMC with specialist registration. He is now working in the NHS at Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust, where he is making a positive impact on the service and the wider community.   Tell us about yourself - what should the IMG community know about Francesco Spadaro? My work is my passion. I really love the clinical aspect of it, especially talking with patients. I enjoy trying to help my patients as much as I can and giving them a hope in trying to improve their clinical condition. No matter who they are, where they come from, or how serious is their disorder may be. At the same time, studying and looking at how the mind works has always been such an important part of my life. What motivated you to move to the UK?  I was very keen to move to the UK. London is such a special place and completely unique in my opinion. The city is so open and inclusive and really encourages you to get involved in so many ways. This was a really big motivating factor for me. Was Brexit an issue for you at all? It was definitely something to consider, but I was lucky enough to be able to anticipate my leave at my previous job in order to avoid any potential Brexit complications. How did you find a general adult psychiatry job within the NHS?  I personally found IMG Connect to be a great help on this. The team really encouraged me with lots of advice and suggestions on how I could tailor my CV to specific roles I was applying to. Most importantly, they really listened and took into consideration all of my needs and difficulties. They go far beyond any of the simple questions you may have for them and cover all angles, including things you may not have considered yourself! Tell us about a day in the life of an international General Adult Psychiatrist. I work in a secondary care, Community Services facility. We work in teams which cover several boroughs and are led by a senior practitioner, ans supported by health professionals with a range of expertise: nurses, social workers, support workers, psychologists and NGO volunteers. We start each day with an MDT (multi-disciplinary team meeting) where we discuss our first assessments, feedback and cases with cause for concern. The great thing about these meetings is that we're all equally involved - everyone participates, sharing knowledge specific to their experience and role. Consultants are involved in the most severe cases. They will also have slots where they will supervise trainee GPs and junior doctors. We also have lots of meetings throughout the week: scientific meetings, journal clubs and meetings concerning the organisation. Sometimes it feels like there are too many meetings, but I'm still getting used to the differences between the UK and Italian healthcare systems.  Tell us about your journey to the UK... It was really quick! Once I'd passed had my interview and been offered the job, I just organised my affairs and hopped on the plane. Of course COVID-19 complicated things, but that was the case for everyone in almost every country at the time. What has been your experience working with IMG Connect?  My experience with IMG Connect has been excellent. They carefully listened to my needs and requests and were always able to offer me appropriate jobs along my requests. They also prepared me in coping with any type of difficulties I would face in regard to relocation to London and my new role in the NHS. They were such a solid presence throughout this process for me and were always there to offer support, both before I had the job and afterwards. Within the IMG Connect team, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Ruaihdri MacKay in particular, who is an excellent professional recruitment consultant. He was a wealth of guidance, advice and support for me during, and also after, my entire recruitment and relocation. He showed what I consider a unique commitment, dedication and foresight and completely kept me at ease with his justified optimism and knowlegde of the steps in my journey. I was really lucky to have him on my side. How are you settling into life in the UK? Things were a little difficult to begin with due to the COVID-19 restrictions, but things have really eased and I'm enjoying living here. What’s next for you now that you’re working in the UK? At the moment I'm still settling in, learning a lot about the UK's system and procedures. Once things have settled a little more for me, I'd like to see whether I can incorporate some teaching or lecturing work into my career path in the UK. What’s been the biggest challenge you’ve faced in moving to the UK? One of the challenges I've faced has been finding really affordable housing, but this was expected in moving to such a large and popular city as London. Have you experienced any culture shocks living in the UK? I wouldn't consider it so much of a cultural shock, instead I'm pleasantly surprised by the opportunity to work with such a diverse range of people. It really is a special experience that connects you to cultures and people all over the world. What have you missed about Italy the most? Most of all, I miss the lifelong friends I've made in Italy. Do you have any tips or advice for international doctors who want to move to the UK? I would just say, do it. Take a chance and live the experience! Moving to live and work in the UK is a big decision to make but can be massively rewarding in many ways. International doctors have the chance to find a new home and the NHS presents an incredible opportunity to secure rewarding jobs, progress within their field and explore adjacent opportunities such as CESR (for non-EEA doctors), writing publications and research. Whatever route an overseas doctor may take on their journey to the UK, IMG Connect is here to support them through every step and welcome them to the IMG Connect family.   

Are you an overseas Psychiatrist looking to move to the UK? Have you always wanted to hear first-hand the experiences of an international Psychiatrist who has been through the process, from completing their MRCPsych exams to GMC registration, and from securing an NHS job to relocating to the UK?    IMG Stories is our series introducing you to international doctors who we have helped to relocate to the UK - sharing their personal journeys from working overseas to securing a new job as a doctor in the NHS.  Today we introduce Kevin Li, a brilliant psychiatry specialty doctor who relocated to the UK from Hong Kong in 2021. Having passed the MRCPsych and English language exams, Kevin received full GMC registration with license to practise. He is now working in the NHS at Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust in the north of England – where he is making a fantastic impact on the service and wider community.   What motivated you to move to the UK?  Psychiatrists are in demand in the UK and Hong Kong psychiatrists who have years of experiences would be very much welcomed to work in the country. With some NHS Trusts there is also a well-established CESR program to help overseas psychiatrists with MRCPsych to attain specialist registration. Specialist registration in the UK is also well recognised in a lot of other English-speaking countries.  Tell us about your journey through the Royal College of Psychiatry exams…  I had completed my specialist training in Hong Kong quite some time ago. I only decided to sit the MRCPsych exams last year. Due to the pandemic, all exams were conducted online which actually facilitated a lot of Hong Kong doctors to sit for the exams. Having always been involved in training and supervision of junior psychiatrists, it helped me a lot to keep myself updated with the knowledge and skills required for sitting examinations.   Do you have any tips or advice for overseas doctors who are currently working towards MRCPsych?  For the MCQ based paper A and B, it is important to set aside time for some intensive studying before the exam as a lot of the knowledge asked would not come up in everyday work. It is also important to pay attention to minute details in each topic which would often come up in the exams.   For CASC exams, it would be useful to form a study group with colleagues and have practice sessions together, as well as watching demonstration videos (such as some paid online courses) to learn the skill required to pass type of different stations. Time management (7 minutes) to complete the tasks in each station is also crucial.   How did you manage to navigate and juggle the different aspects of registration whilst working full time?  For overseas doctors having attained MRCPsych, registration with the GMC is fairly straightforward after taking an English proficiency exam, which should not be too difficult if one received medical education in English.  However, as the GMC closes an application if it could not be completed within 90 days, I found it important to have all the documents ready prior to submitting the application, especially letter of good standings, further proof of qualification and training from the university faculty which took time to be prepared.  Did you have any major or unexpected issues with the GMC registration process or your visa application?  There had been no major difficulties in terms of the registration. The HR team and IMG connect have been in constant touch with me to see what my needs are and accommodate my relocation schedule.  How did you find a general adult psychiatry job within the NHS?  For Hong Kong doctors coming to the UK, it is better to look for job openings that specifically states that IMG applicants are welcome. It would usually take IMGs quite a while to adapt to the system in the NHS and it is important that the Trust would give time for induction and support for IMGs during the initial phrase when they start their job.   It is also good to keep one’s mindset open to offers in locations that might not be the most popular at first look. Posts in popular locations such as Greater London or Greater Manchester are usually a lot more competitive and the support provided to IMGs could be less sometimes. It would also be a good opportunity to experience life in the UK out of the usual few big cities. There are always opportunities to move to another place after gaining experiences working in the UK.  Tell us about a day in the life of an international General Adult Psychiatrist, newly started in the NHS…  As a specialty doctor with the MRCPsych qualification, one is expected to take an active role in the MDT team with the support of the Consultant, for example on deciding on medications, deriving a care package with other stakeholders.   There is a strong focus on mental health legal and human rights compliance in the field of psychiatry, as well as adherence to treatment guidelines in the UK. Some doctors may need certain time to adjust to such differences in practice from their home countries. There are junior doctors who can readily assist with physical problems of patients, which might make it easier for a Hong Kong psychiatry specialist to adapt after years of working in psychiatric setting only.   What was your journey like to the UK during a period of COVID-19 restrictions?  I arrived at a time when restrictions were gradually easing. It was very easy to arrange mandatory COVID tests according to the government requirements. Most hotels or Airbnbs would welcome arrivals into the UK to be used as self-isolation.   What has been your experience working with IMG Connect?  I had received excellent support from IMG connect in terms of securing a job offer that suits my level and experiences, as well as advising on the career prospect and negotiating an attractive numeration package. The IMG connect team also gave me a lot of useful suggestions about finding accommodation in a suitable area close to work.   Most importantly they have excellent communication with the HR team in the Trust, which makes formalizing the offer and completing the necessary paper works much easier.  Moving to live and work in the UK is a big decision to make but can be massively rewarding in many ways. International doctors have the chance to find a new home and the NHS presents an incredible opportunity to secure rewarding jobs, progress within their field and explore adjacent opportunities such as CESR (for non-EEA doctors), writing publications and research. Whatever route an overseas doctor may take on their journey to the UK, IMG Connect is here to support them through every step and welcome them to the IMG Connect family.   

IMG Stories is our series introducing you to international doctors who we have helped to relocate to the UK - sharing their personal journeys from working overseas to securing a new job as a doctor in the NHS.  Today we introduce you to Rehan Qureshi, a brilliant general medicine specialty doctor who relocated to the UK from Saudi Arabia with his wife, children and his mother in 2020. Having passed the MRCP and English language exams, Rehan received full GMC registration with license to practise. He is now working in the NHS at Scarborough General Hospital in the north of England – where he is making a fantastic impact on the service and wider community.   A specialty doctor’s journey to the UK When I was first contacted by Marcus at IMG Connect about an NHS general medicine specialty doctor job opportunity at Scarborough General Hospital, I was a little nervous about where to start, and what lay ahead. We were moving from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, which is a very lively city, and I was going to quit my permanent job to relocate to the UK. I have always been keen to work for the NHS, but I wasn’t sure what it’d be like to start my first NHS job in a small coastal town. What would the hospital be like? How would I be treated? Would it be wet and dark like you hear about online? Would the hospital be supportive in my career progression, or would I be simply thrown into the wards to struggle? As an ethnic Muslim minority, would we struggle to find Asian, vegetarian and Halal foods and mosques? All these questions were going through my mind, and after working through these together with Marcus and the team at IMG Connect, and with only a few more fears remaining, I decided to take up the challenge and proceed.     "Ruaidhri put in so much effort to turn this impossible task into reality for me."   During my recruitment process, the biggest challenge was getting my mother’s visa. This was absolutely crucial for me as my mother has always lived with us and is such an important member of our household. We have also been her primary carers. Ruaidhri at IMG Connect put in so much effort to turn this impossible task into reality for me. During the process, it was a real team effort from IMG, and I’m also thankful to the MP for Scarborough and Whitby who responded to Ruaidhri’s request and supported our efforts in this matter. Needless to say, my mother is now very happy and settled into life in Scarborough!   The hospital was also very supportive and did not push me to start by any given date. They were very accommodating and gave me ample time to sort out my relocation process. While some of the other international doctors I knew were struggling to travel before the deadlines set by their NHS trusts, I never felt this pressure. I was supported throughout, knew where to turn for answers and ultimately it was such a big relief that my mother was able to come with us.  When we arrived at London Heathrow Airport, the UK was in a lockdown due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases. We had to quarantine on our arrival, and during this time, we were very well taken care of. Our groceries were paid for, and Ruaidhri checked in with us often to see how we were and if we ever needed anything. All my queries were promptly answered by Ruaidhri and the hospital’s recruitment team.  The very next working day after our arrival in the UK, I received an email from the medical recruitment team at Scarborough General Hospital, and the process for opening my bank account was promptly initiated. I know a number of people who have also struggled with opening their first bank account in the UK, however mine was just set up for me by the recruitment team, who put me in touch with the bank representative. All I had to do was visit the branch for 15 minutes for an ID check once our quarantine had finished and everything was set up!   At work, I found everybody to be very helpful. I received a tremendous amount of help as I struggled to get used to the new system. Whenever I got stuck somewhere, there was always someone to offer a helping hand by my side.   Initially we struggled with accommodation - finding suitable housing in Scarborough was challenging, especially when we had no previous tenancy history in the UK. However, with some help we were able to get our first accommodation which was a lovely fully furnished apartment. We enjoyed our stay there for a month before moving to a long-term let property.   There are two types of institutions, I believe: those that hire people, use them and lose them, and those that hire people, explore their interests and goals, help them progress in their careers as per their interests and preferences, and turn them into effective and happy members of staff. Scarborough Hospital is definitely the latter. Very soon after I started, my consultant sat with me and discussed my goals and personal development plan. I had always been interested in teaching, so he presented me with a number of teaching opportunities in the area. I received great support from him in my career development and with his support, I was appointed an Honorary Senior Lecturer at Hull York Medical School within only 2 months of my joining. Not only this, but he assured me of his full support in my career progression, which is very encouraging for me. When I meet other IMG doctors in the hospital, the thing that is quite noticeable among them is a great deal of professional satisfaction, no matter what grade they are working at.  Scarborough Hospital has a very friendly, multicultural environment and people work together with mutual respect and support for one another. Scarborough Hospital implements and fully supports the SAS charter of NHS and provides every possible opportunity to SAS doctors for their career progression and growth.   As a town, Scarborough is a lovely place to live in. It’s beautiful, peaceful, lively and even at night, the streets are very well lit, and the town is not dark or dead at all. It has all the amenities to cater for a variety of ethnic backgrounds, and we faced NO difficulty whatsoever at finding some Asian, vegetarian and Halal food to eat. We also love Scarborough’s local fish ‘n’ chips!   Scarborough has plenty of entertainment options for children. A forest on one side, seacoast on the other. Boating, hiking, cycling, parks, children’s train ride, the sea life aquarium, and castles with so much more to explore.   The town also has an Islamic centre where prayers are regularly offered. At the hospital, there are separate prayer rooms for both males and females, as well as a Chapel where Friday prayers are offered. I was very impressed when I first saw the Chapel being offered for prayers, which is a great gesture of inter-faith harmony at the hospital.   "I am immensely thankful to Marcus and Ruaidhri" I am glad that I made the decision to come to Scarborough. It is a wonderful place to live, and people are genuinely nice and welcoming. Scarborough General Hospital is an excellent place to work. We got settled here very quickly and we have fallen in love with this place. My family and I are enjoy living here and have started to consider Scarborough our new home.  I am immensely thankful to Marcus and Ruaidhri at IMG connect and everyone else who played a role in my recruitment, relocation, and induction processes. I really appreciate all their efforts to make the entire process as swift and smooth as possible for us – they gave me the confidence to move to the UK with my family to work as a general medicine specialty doctor in the NHS.  Moving to live and work in the UK is a big decision to make but can be massively rewarding in many ways. International doctors have the chance to find a new home and the NHS presents an incredible opportunity to secure rewarding jobs, progress within their field and explore adjacent opportunities such as CESR (for non-EEA doctors), writing publications and research. Whatever route an overseas doctor may take on their journey to the UK, IMG Connect is here to support them through every step and welcome them to the IMG Connect family.   

One of the biggest concerns IMGs relocating with families will have, is how to find the right school for their children in the UK. The good news is that the education system is excellent, and education is free!  If you are bringing children to the UK with you, the first thing you will need to do is apply for a place in the school you want them to go to. To do this you will need to get in touch with your local council to ask about the schools in the catchment area, and find out where places are available. You can then apply for places in schools through the local council, applications usually opening a year before you want your child to start. More information about the process is available here. Children normally begin school in the September after they turn four and usually you can apply for a place in a state school at any point in the year. There are many options that parents have when deciding which school is best for their children, including faith schools, free schools, academies, technology colleges, boarding schools, private or paid for schools, or grammar schools to name a few.  All children living in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Ireland are entitled to a free place at a state school. If you choose to send your child to a free state school, then your local council will decide which school your child is given a place at.  All schools have admission criteria to decide which children get places. The school or local council usually set these. Admission criteria are different for each school. For example, schools may give priority to children: who live close to the school (catchment area) who have a brother or sister at the school already from a particular religion (for faith schools) who do well in an entrance exam (for selective schools, for example grammar schools or stage schools) who went to a particular primary school (a ‘feeder school’) Councils usually use 'catchment areas' to decide where your child is given a place at school. A catchment area is an area around a school. Any children who live in this area are given a place at the school. Most councils publish catchment area maps on their website. You can find out where your child will be given a place at school by looking on your local council's website. See below useful links to how to register, depending on country:   Scotland England & Wales Northern Ireland Ireland If you choose to send your child to a paid school, then you can ask the team at IMG connect to help you further, including advice on how to check the school’s standards, costs and how to contact them directly.  If you want to know more about schooling in the UK, have a chat with our team or take a look at our relocation blogs.  IMG Jobs  Search and find live NHS doctor jobs in the UK IMG Resources Read more useful articles on finding an NHS trust doctor job, pay scales & doctor’s salary in the UK, relocation and much more!   Get in Touch Don’t hesitate to get in touch using the buttons above (and below) to discuss doctor job options in the NHS, including discussions regarding CESR, a typical doctor salary in the UK and the most suitable NHS jobs & hospital locations for you.

It will come as a relief to those moving to the UK from overseas to know that the NHS is free to all at the point of delivery. Put simply, the NHS belongs to you and is run for the people of the UK. It exists to help you and your family to stay healthy and improve your wellbeing. It helps you to keep mentally and physically well.  The NHS was founded on a common set of principles and values that bind together the communities and people it serves – the patients and public of the UK – and of course the amazing staff who work for it. Provided you are resident in the UK, you and your family can access free GP & hospital treatment. Some people in the UK are also entitled to free prescriptions; to check your eligibility, click here. In Scotland prescriptions are free for all patients.  You should register with the NHS as soon as you can have relocated to the UK. To do so is simple. Once you arrive in the UK, check for GP practices near you, and if they are taking new patients all you have to do is register. It is quick and easy, simply complete a registration form. Once submitted your GP will register you with the NHS, and you will receive an NHS number.  Once registered, you can attend your local GP at no cost. Find out more about registering with your GP practice, here. You can search for your local GP service here, the search also gives you access to reviews, overviews of facilities and services that each service offers.  In summary, the NHS is available to all. It is free at the point of delivery, access to NHS services is based on clinical need, not an individual’s ability to pay.  IMG Jobs  Search and find live NHS doctor jobs in the UK IMG Resources Read more useful articles on finding an NHS trust doctor job, pay scales & doctor’s salary in the UK, relocation and much more!   Get in Touch Don’t hesitate to get in touch using the buttons above (and below) to discuss doctor job options in the NHS, including discussions regarding a typical doctor salary in the UK and the most suitable hospital locations for you.             

It is typical to hear people around the world say that childcare can be difficult to find and costly. Affordable child care is one of the main priorities for many working parents. And with a large number of overseas doctors relocating with their families, child care is a big issue.  The good news in the UK is that you can get help finding and paying for childcare.  Even better, if you work for the NHS, then you are entitled to additional support through the Tax-free childcare scheme.  How much does childcare cost?  The average cost of sending a child under 2 years of age to nursery is: Part-time - £125 per week Full-time - £240 per week The average cost of an after-school club for one working week is £60.  Playgroups or pre-school groups (usually organised by the school or nursery directly), typically cost £2 - £10 per session. Sessions are normally two – three hours before and after standard working hours.  A registered childminder could cost on average £250 per week full time, and £150 per week part-time (costs will be slightly higher in London).  If you have read our articles on schooling, you will remember that nursery schools, if provided by the state, are free for all children.  There is help you can get with childcare costs, for example with tax-free childcare you can get up to £2,000. Help is provided if you select childcare run by an approved childcare provider, such as: registered childminder, play scheme, nursery or club childminder with an Ofsted-registered childminding agency registered school home care worker working for a registered home care agency Try this useful tool for checking what childcare can be made available for you. Tax free childcare scheme:  A scheme is in place aimed at helping reduce the cost of childcare for NHS employees. The scheme is administered through online accounts, opened by parents on the get-tax-free-childcare website. Parents pay money into the account, which is used to pay for childcare with registered providers. Parents can pay money into their childcare account as and when they like, and for every £8 paid in, the government will add £2, up to a maximum of £2,000 government support per child, per year (£4,000 for children with disabilities). The scheme is open to parents of children up to and including the age of 11 (16 for children with disabilities).  What else is available?  Some employers offer additional support to families, giving that little bit extra to make the work-life balance more sustainable. Extra help could include workplace nurseries, directly contracted childcare, advice services and community groups.  Checking childcare providers: It is important to check that the provider you wish to use is suitable for your child, working to high standards, and approved for use under the tax-free scheme.  You can check if a childcare provider is approved or search for one using the following websites: England through Ofsted Wales through the Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales Scotland through the Scottish Care Inspectorate Northern Ireland through the local early years team register You can get help paying for childcare provided by a school, for example nursery school fees. State schools are free, so when it comes to childcare you can only get help paying for care that is outside school hours, for example after school clubs or breakfast clubs Steps to follow:  If you want to check how much support you can receive and how to find the right provider, follow these steps:  Check how much free childcare you can receive using the government online tool: Government Childcare Calculator Check where you can get childcare:  England Wales Scotland Northern Ireland Get help paying for childcare:  You can get help with childcare costs for children under 18. You might be able to apply for: Tax-Free Childcare Tax credits Universal Credit You could also get free hours childcare. You might be able to apply for: free education and childcare for 2 year olds 15 hours free childcare for 3 to 4 year olds 30 hours free childcare for 3 to 4 year olds Advice and support is provided by the government, local councils and education organisations. We advise you to speak with your IMG consultant, who can help you establish where to start, answer any questions you may have and point you in the right direction to getting the best start for your children in the UK.  You will also find that parents in the UK, as well as staff in the NHS and education system, will be keen to support and help you with advice. The parental community in the UK is strong and supportive, with networks of like-minded families sharing experiences and contacts.  IMG Jobs  Search and find live NHS doctor jobs in the UK IMG Resources Read more useful articles on finding an NHS trust doctor job, pay scales & doctor’s salary in the UK, relocation and much more!   Get in Touch Don’t hesitate to get in touch using the buttons above (and below) to discuss doctor job options in the NHS, including discussions regarding CESR, a typical doctor salary in the UK and the most suitable NHS jobs & hospital locations for you.