7 Important Communities & Groups for an IMG

  • November 28, 2023
 

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!


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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: 

                

 

Relevant Jobs

105,504 - 139,882
A Teaching Hospital in the North West region is looking for a Consultant in Clinical Oncology with an interest in Gynaecology and Upper GI Oncology. The Oncology department comprises a large team of Consultant Clinical Oncologists and is supported by a wide group of middle grade doctors. This Clinical Oncology job is open to both international applications and UK-based doctors, though those with European Specialist or suitable Royal College qualification are most encouraged to apply.

Anyone requiring portfolio support (formally known as CESR) can have their required support discussed on a case by case basis.

JOB REQUIREMENTS AND DETAILS

Full GMC registration and a license to practice with experience in Radiotherapy and chemotherapy are required for this role, and anyone with an interest in Gynaecology and Upper GI Oncology should apply. The salary will be between £88,364 and £119,133 dependent on experience or grade.

CORE DUTIES OF THIS ROLE

  • Provide a comprehensive Oncology service and expertise in the management of site specialist cancer services.
  • Collaborate with the multidisciplinary teams to develop and support Oncology services.
  • Supervise and manage junior medical staff, including supporting the service during colleagues\' leave.
  • Undertake teaching, clinical audit, and research, contributing to local and national postgraduate education.

LIFE IN THE NORTH WEST

The hospital is based in the North West of England, with the closest urban areas offering a range of living options from city life to more rural surroundings.

The region boasts excellent schools and transport links, with trains connecting to major UK cities, and plenty of leisure activities for adults and families, including access to outdoor activities and historic landmarks.

The North West has significant historical importance and features stunning landscapes, making it a desirable location to live and work.

HOW WILL IMG CONNECT SUPPORT YOU?

When applying with IMG Connect you’ll have the full support of an expert recruitment team who will be your recruitment and relocation partners throughout the process. We\'ll support you with:

  • CV Preparation with a bespoke session with one of our specialists
  • Application support with expert knowledge of NHS specialisms & recruitment practice
  • At least two video calling interview preparation sessions
  • Contract and offer negotiations for salary, relocation packages, tenure and more

Once you have accepted your new role, you’ll then be supported and led throughout by one of our dedicated relocation executives who will guide you through all the way to starting to your new role including:

  • Document gathering and checking COS and Visa Application support if applicable
  • Support sourcing short- and long-term accommodation
  • Travel Arrangements Family support for finding schools and any other aspects of pastoral care

A NHS district general hospital in the South West is looking for a Consultant Histopathologist with an interest in bowel cancer screening. The histopathology department comprises a team of five consultants and is supported by a large team of middle-grade doctors. This histopathology job is open to both international applications and UK-based doctors, though those with European Specialist or FRCPath qualifications are most encouraged to apply.

Anyone requiring portfolio support (formally known as CESR) can have their required support discussed on a case-by-case basis.

JOB REQUIREMENTS AND DETAILS

Applicants should hold full GMC registration, FRCPath or equivalent qualifications, and have at least three years of higher training. Those with an interest in bowel cancer screening are encouraged to apply. The salary will be between £99,532 and £131,964 per annum, dependent on experience or grade.

CORE DUTIES OF THIS ROLE

  • Provide a comprehensive histopathology and cytopathology reporting service, including work from the bowel cancer screening programme.
  • Participate in post mortem services, including coroner’s cases.
  • Attend and present cases at multidisciplinary meetings.
  • Contribute to the department\'s clinical governance and medical audit processes.

LIFE IN THE SOUTH WEST

The hospital is located in a coastal region, with popular residential options in both urban and rural settings. The area offers excellent schools, transport links, and leisure activities, from beach sports to countryside hikes. Historically, the region is known for its significant tourist draw due to the beautiful coastal landscape and maritime history.

HOW WILL IMG CONNECT SUPPORT YOUR APPLICATION?

When applying with IMG Connect you’ll have the full support of an expert recruitment team who will be your recruitment and relocation partners throughout the process. We\'ll support you with: 

  • CV Preparation with a bespoke session with one of our specialists
  • Application support with expert knowledge of NHS specialisms & recruitment practice
  • At least two video calling interview preparation sessions
  • Contract and offer negotiations for salary, relocation packages, tenure and more

Once you have accepted your new role, you’ll then be supported and led throughout by one of our dedicated relocation executives who will guide you through all the way to starting to your new role including:

  • Document gathering and checking
  • COS and Visa Application support if applicable
  • Short- and long-term accommodation sourcing
  • Travel Arrangements
  • Family support for finding schools and any other aspects of pastoral care
105,504 - £139,882
A Northern English NHS Trust is looking for a specialist register consultant histopathologist to join their pathology department, open to European specialists or those who have successfully gone through CESR. The role is available for additional earnings due to the need for postmortem reporting, something this role will majorly focus on. 

WHAT IS THE NHS TRUST LIKE?

This is one of the country’s top performing NHS foundation trusts, looking after the wellbeing of around half a million people. Hospital services are provided from 4 hospitals, with care also provided in people’s homes and other community facilities. They are also planning to rebuild a nearby existing community hospital, replacing the old hospital with an integrated health and social care facility. They have also opened a state-of-the-art NHS centre to bring together outpatient and diagnostic services, as well as primary care, under one roof. The Trust has received significant recognition including:
  • Being named among the 40 best performing NHS organisations in CHKS Top Hospitals programme 2015 for the eighth consecutive year
  • Rated 6th in the country for cancer patient experience (Macmillan)
  • Named ‘overall best trust’ at Patient Experience Network National Awards 2014
  • 11th in country in national A&E patient survey (CQC)
  • Named ‘Provider Trust of the Year’ at the HSJ awards 2013
  • Special recognition award at the national Patient Safety Congress
  • Patient Safety Award for pharmacist prescribing (UK Clinical Pharmacy Association)
  • British Medical Journal’s (BMJ) patient safety award for the trust’s Hip Quality
  • Improvement Programme

In March 2015, they were also chosen as a ‘vanguard’ site by NHS England – one of eight sites in the country to be tasked with taking a national lead on transforming care for patients and in July 2015, Jeremy Hunt, the health secretary, named the trust as an NHS organisation providing the very best standard of seven-day services for our patients, a standard to which other NHS trusts should aspire. The trust offers a wide range of specialties with some of the largest specialist departments in the region, including the largest trauma and orthopaedics service, one of the largest cardiology departments and one of the largest units in the region for colorectal surgery services.

WHAT IS THE PATHOLOGY DEPARTMENT LIKE? 

The department has full UKAS ISO 15189 accreditation. It\'s Histopathology and Cytopathology services are centralised into a custom-built laboratory in April 2003, which has accommodation for eight consultants plus specialist registrars. There is a well-equipped library and teaching suite within the department. Fully automated immunohistochemistry is provided with a comprehensive range of routine antibodies available at the Trust. The laboratories are served by the Telepath computer system with links across the Trust and NHS networks. PathoSys is used for reporting breast cores and resection specimens, colorectal cancer specimens, bowel cancer screening specimens, cervical punch and loop biopsies and bronchial biopsies and in line with recent advances in the field of histopathology, the department has introduced and have recently gone live with skin
reporting. The team consists of five consultant Histopathologists, two Specialty Doctors, plus up to two specialist registrars on rotation from a nearby infirmary who cover histopathology and cytology on a rota basis. The non-gynae cytology plus the surgical histology workload will be shared equally.

WHAT CAREER DEVELOPMENT AND OPPORTUNITIES ARE AVAILABLE? 

The Trust and Histopathology team are dedicated to supporting their doctors\' career development through devising a personal development plan, the post holder will be required to agree a programme of continuing professional development which meets his/her and service provision requirements. Regular MDT meetings are held for lung, colorectal, breast and upper GI. High definition videoconferencing and slide projection facilities are available in the MDT suites on the North Tyneside and Wansbeck sites and there will also be opportunity for the development of teaching experience. Undergraduate students from the affiliated University are regularly attached to clinical teams within the Trust and the new appointee would be expected to undertake teaching at an undergraduate level throughout the Trust, including the assessment of clinical medical students and examining from time to time.

They would also be expected to to participate in clinical audit activities (personal, departmental and inter-departmental) including clinical audit meetings. The post holder will have a reflective approach to their own practice with an ability to acknowledge poor behaviour and act upon feedback sought from others during the Trusts 360o appraisal.

The Trust has also puts emphasis on their commitment to the development of leadership skills.

LIFE IN THE REGION:

The region offers both the opportunity for scenery but also city living. Firstly, there is easy accessibility to one of the finest coasts in Britain, with unspoilt sandy beaches and wild rocky headlands, as well as the National Park with its 400 square miles of wooded valleys and open moorland rich in wildlife. The North Pennines are an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the wildest and least populated region of high moorland in England. Sailing, golf, fishing, riding, walking, cycling, rock climbing, gliding and watersport facilities abound and there are most types of sporting and leisure pursuits including major national football, rugby, cricket, athletics and horse racing venues within easy reach.

Then, the vibrant and modern city of Newcastle-upon-Tyne is the major educational, cultural and business centre for the North East of England and offers a combination of lively bars, top-rated nightclubs and many musical and theatrical attractions. Eldon Square is an excellent shopping centre in the City and for a complete shopping experience, the Metro Centre in Gateshead boasts over 360 shops and services all under one roof. A magnificent new Concert Hall has been constructed on the opposite side of the river to the Quayside Development.

A neighbouring pleasant market town boasts a race course, three golf courses, an historic abbey and a country park, is located 20 miles west of Newcastle upon-Tyne. Situated in the Tyne Valley, Hexham is the focal point for the rural Tynedale District, the largest local authority district in England and one of the most consistently beautiful. The town enjoys good road and public transport links to Newcastle. To the west of Hexham is the City of Carlisle and the M6. The town is also particularly well placed for access to the Lake District.

For families, local education opportunities are very good, with a number of league-leading junior, senior and sixth form schools and colleges in both the private and public sector. Housing is excellent with a wide range of affordable properties both period and modern. As a result of the proximity to the National Park, its historic centre and relative prosperity, this area is now one of the most popular residential locations in North East England with reasonable house prices. The region also has an excellent road, rail and metro network, and the busy ports have regular sailings to the continent. From Newcastle International Airport, flights are available to most national and international destinations.

AM I ELIGIBLE FOR THIS ROLE?

EEA candidates: 

  • Recognised European Medical Degree or Specialist Qualification in Histopathology
  • Full and specialist registration (and with a license to practice) with the General Medical Council or be eligible for registration within six months of interview
  • Experience in postmortem, and prostate and skin pathology

Non-EEA candidates: 

  • FRCPath
  • Full and specialist registration (and with a license to practice) with the General Medical Council or be eligible for registration within six months of interview
  • Experience in postmortem, and prostate and skin pathology

UK-based candidates: 

  • Within 6-months of CESR or CCT in Histopathology
  • Experience in postmortem, and prostate and skin pathology
99,532 - 131,964

An excellent NHS job opportunity for an experienced Locum Consultant Histopathology to join this NHS Trust as a Consultant working in an established Histopathology department in the UK. This NHS job offers CESR Portfolio Pathway support, and international applications from IMGs are welcome.

The NHS Trust

This NHS Trust is a modern and progressive healthcare organization located in the UK. The Trust provides a wide range of acute and general hospital services, serving a large and diverse population. With state-of-the-art facilities and a commitment to providing the highest quality care, the Trust is dedicated to supporting the professional growth of its staff. The Trust has a strong focus on patient-centered care and works closely with the community to ensure the delivery of comprehensive health services. As an NHS Trust, it offers a dynamic and supportive environment, making it an ideal place for doctors looking to develop their careers within the NHS.

The Trust is also involved in various research initiatives and collaborates with academic institutions, further enhancing its reputation as a leader in healthcare. This is an excellent NHS job opportunity for those interested in joining a forward-thinking organization committed to clinical excellence.

The Department & Team

The Histopathology Department at this NHS Trust is a well-established and highly regarded unit within the organization. The department is equipped with the latest diagnostic technologies, enabling the delivery of high-quality pathology services. The team is composed of experienced consultants, specialty doctors, and a skilled support staff, all working collaboratively to provide accurate and timely diagnostic services. The department plays a crucial role in the diagnosis and management of various medical conditions, making it an integral part of the hospital’s operations.

The team is known for its supportive and inclusive environment, which encourages continuous learning and professional development. Regular multidisciplinary meetings and case discussions are held to ensure the highest standards of patient care. This NHS job offers an excellent opportunity for doctors to join a team that values clinical excellence and is committed to providing the best possible outcomes for patients.

Continued Professional Development

This NHS job offers further training and accreditation within Histopathology, including CESR Portfolio Pathway Support, access to specialty training, and the opportunity to develop sub-specialist interest. The Histopathology Department at this NHS Trust is dedicated to the continuous professional development of its staff. Doctors joining the department will have access to a wide range of educational resources, including regular training sessions, workshops, and seminars. The department also encourages participation in research activities and offers support for those interested in pursuing academic qualifications.

Additionally, there are opportunities to attend national and international conferences, further enhancing the learning experience. The Trust’s commitment to professional development ensures that doctors are well-equipped to achieve their career goals while contributing to the advancement of medical knowledge.

Location

This area in the UK is an excellent place for international doctors to relocate to, offering a high quality of life for both individuals and families. The region is known for its affordable cost of living compared to other parts of the UK, making it an attractive option for those looking to settle in the country. Safety is a top priority, with the area boasting low crime rates and a friendly community atmosphere. The region is home to a variety of schools, both public and private, that provide excellent educational opportunities for children. There are numerous things to do, from exploring beautiful parks and natural areas to enjoying a vibrant arts and culture scene.

The area also benefits from excellent transport connections, with easy access to major cities via road and rail. Additionally, the region is diverse and multicultural, making it a welcoming place for people from all backgrounds.

Am I eligible for this role?

UK based candidates:

  • Experience in Histopathology

EEA candidates: 

  • Experience in Histopathology
  • European Specialist Qualification

Non-EEA candidates:

  • FRCPath
  • Experience in Histopathology
160,000

An excellent job opportunity for an experienced Consultant Adult Inpatient Psychiatrist to join a private healthcare organisation near to Birmingham. This role is based within a well-established inpatient setting, offering a great chance to advance your medical career and earn a higher salary compared to the NHS. This job provides CESR Portfolio Pathway support, welcoming international applications from IMGs.

Working in Private Healthcare
This private organisation is recognized for its commitment to delivering exceptional mental health services. They are known for its multidisciplinary approach, working collaboratively to provide holistic, patient-centric care. Specializing in general adult psychiatry, they focus on promoting recovery and improving the quality of life for its patients. The team is dedicated to ongoing innovation and quality improvement, ensuring that the highest standards of care are consistently met. This job offers a unique opportunity to be part of a dynamic team that values professional development and excellence in clinical practice.

The Psychiatry Department & Team
The Psychiatry Department has a 10-bedded ward for psychiartric intensive care unit for females of working age, and another 9-bedded ward for acute service which provides treatment for females of working age. The department is comprised of a multidisciplinary team dedicated to providing comprehensive inpatient care for adults with severe mental health conditions. The team includes consultants, junior doctors, psychologists, nurses, and allied health professionals, all working together to deliver evidence-based treatments. The department is committed to fostering a supportive and collaborative environment, where every team member plays a vital role in patient care.

The approach emphasizes continuous improvement and innovation, with regular team meetings and clinical governance sessions to ensure the highest quality of care.

Continued Professional Development:

This job offers further training & accreditation within general adult psychiatry, including CESR Portfolio Pathway Support, access to specialty training, and the opportunity to develop sub-specialist interests. They support its medical staff in pursuing their professional goals, providing access to a wide range of CPD opportunities, including in-house training programs and supervision. This commitment to professional development ensures that consultants are well-equipped to advance in their careers while delivering the highest standard of care to their patients.

Location
This private healthcare organisation is located in the midlands not fare from Birmingham. The area boasts a low cost of living, making it an attractive option for those relocating. It is a safe and family-friendly area with excellent schools, a rich cultural scene, and plenty of recreational activities. The region is known for its natural beauty, with easy access to national parks and outdoor pursuits. Additionally, it has excellent transport links, making it easy to connect with other parts of the UK.

Am I eligible for this role?
UK based candidates:

  • Experience in General Adult Psychiatry
  • CCT (Preferred)
  • Section 12 
  • AC Status (Preferred)

EEA candidates: 

  • Experience in General Adult Psychiatry
  • European Specialist Qualification

Non-EEA candidates:

  • MRCPsych
  • Experience in General Adult Psychiatry

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