Are you an overseas oncologist looking to move to the UK? Have you always wanted to hear first-hand the experiences of an international oncologist who has been through the process, from completing their FRCR (Oncology) exams, to GMC registration, securing an NHS job and relocating to the UK?
As part of IMG Stories, we introduce to you, Dr Eric Lee, a wonderful clinical oncologist who relocated to the UK from Hong Kong. Eric has been living and working in the UK with his family after gaining full GMC registration with license to practice.
Today, Eric will be sharing with you his journey and experiences as an IMG oncologist, now working in Colchester in the southeast of England.
Introducing Eric Lee
My name is Eric and I'm a clinical oncologist. I have worked as an oncologist in Hong Kong for 25 years, where I received training in both medical and clinical oncology, in line with the UK system.
Overall, I think the UK system has been so well suited to myself and other generations of doctors and learners, and this was one of my motivations for bringing my family to the UK. Also, for my daughter's education.
Training as a clinical oncologist in Hong Kong
I completed my MBChB and then the FRCR (Oncology) examinations. These were held in Hong Kong with the examiners coming from the UK for assessment. As standard, HK trainees begin FRCR (Oncology) right after becoming medical graduates. Alongside the Royal College exams, you also complete the FHKAM, which is the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine and are the standard qualifications for doctors to complete during their training in Hong Kong.
I began the FRCR (Oncology) training one year after my graduation from medical school. This was in 1996. I spent a total of five years in FRCR (Oncology) training in Hong Kong and received my official FRCR (Oncology) qualification in 2001.
One of the main differences between the UK and Hong Kong systems is that where FRCR (Oncology) tells the medical council that you are almost at the level to work as a consultant. The medical council in Hong Kong has further requirements for doctors transitioning to consultant grade. So, after receiving FRCR (Oncology), I still had to go through 2 to 3 more years of training.
In regards to the Royal College exams, if there's one thing to mention, it's that the examiners are always looking for safe doctors who make patients' safety and comfort their top priority, therefore, my advice for overseas doctors who are looking towards Royal College examinations, especially in oncology, is to remain conscientious and diligent in every aspect of their clinical care, particularly in protecting patients' privacy, rights and safety.
My career as a clinical oncologist
Over the past twenty-five years, I've had rotations in different oncology sub-specialties, including paediatrics, CNS, GI, GU, breast cancer, haematologic malignancies and forensic malignancy. In the last 15 years however, I've been specialising in forensic and genitourinary cancers.
In 2005/ 2006, I had the opportunity to go to Australia for one year for a fellowship. So, I spent almost a year gaining experience in prostate cancer under the supervision of British oncologists in Sydney.
Over the past few years, I've had many thoughts about moving abroad from Hong Kong and looked at several options, including the UK. Finally, it was a Trust in the UK that offered me a job.
This ended up being a very good choice for me, because the UK system is quite similar to medical system in Hong Kong. As an oncologist, I can administer both radiation therapy and chemotherapy, whereas in Australia for example, I'd only be able to practice radiation oncology. So, in the UK, I'm able to use my full training to practice in both medical and radiation oncology.
Going through English language testing
There were several things to consider before I was able to move.
First of all, I had to pass an English language exam. I initially attempted the IELTS exam, but in the end decided to change to the OET exam, because the OET focuses on medical situations, so you don't need to spend too much time going through subjects in other areas.
I managed to achieve a B grade in all 4 sections of the OET exam, which was not easy as my weakest areas are still speaking and writing, and there is of course speaking in the OET exam. You spend 20 minutes speaking in a seminar, similarly to an OSCE. In my exam, I had to take the patient history and give them advice in English.
When the context of the exam is relevant to your specialty e.g. a breast cancer patient, then it’s much easier. However, in the OET exam, the context is not limited to your specialty alone. My tasks for example included two patients with diabetes mellitus and polymyalgia rheumatica. I've not had experience of psychiatry or endocrinology or orthopaedics for many years, but I had to use this knowledge in the exam and act like an orthopaedic surgeon.
Many who take the OET fall into the mindset of a clinical examination and become nervous when presented with a clinical scenario they don’t identify with. My advice to anyone sitting the OET exam is to forget about all the medical things. Forget all your clinical problems. Just relax. Don't worry if your answers aren't 100% correct. What you're expected to do is speak clearly and have an overall caring manner.
The GMC registration process
During the GMC process, I was asked to submit evidence of my continued medical training over the past 10 years because it has been quite a few years since I received my FRCR (Oncology). The GMC wanted to know more about my further medical education over the past 10 years, so I had to submit evidence of all my CME training.
Personally, I'm incredibly fortunate that I've been in the habit of keeping all my certificates of attendance whenever I attend any workshops, conferences or courses, so I have a good record of all my certificates. I spent around a week scanning in all my certificates of attendance from 2002 to 2021, all into one big PDF file.
This advice was given to me by one of my favourite mentors 20 years ago, Dr F.L. Chan, a renowned radiologist in Hong Kong and the warden of the college in Hong Kong. He passed away 10 years ago, sadly, but he gave me some of the most important advice I've been given. He said, 'Eric, you have to keep every one of your certificates, even if you don't see the benefit of the course or workshop, you will find them useful one day'. Since then, I've held onto that advice, and over the last 20 years, I've kept every last certificate in a hard copy!
Finding a job in the UK
I actually posted my CV on LinkedIn and was then contacted by Marcus from IMG Connect. Initially, I wasn't sure if his offer was real as it sounded too good to be true! But I quickly realised that IMG Connect is incredible and could support me with every stage necessary. I personally had a lot of apprehension about the process of moving overseas. I'd been working in a secure job for 25 years, so for me to move from that into the unknown - I would need a lot of support, a lot of counselling. IMG Connect & Marcus were there to provide me with all the support I needed, from day one.
I received job offers from three different Trusts, each with interview processes that began with a stage of informal question, before two rounds of formal interviews online in Microsoft Teams.
Ultimately, the offer from Colchester was the best fit for me. It is the closest to my previous set-up, because I had been working in a General Hospital in Hong Kong and Colchester has the same kind of general hospital set up. This position also allows me to work in my subspecialties of interest - GU and forensic cancers.
My journey to the UK
The timings worked out well for me when it came to the move. We spent some time considering whether to apply for the Tier 2 or BNO visa. The Tier 2 visa requires additional documentation like police checks, but before we had to decide, we received the BNO visa in a matter of days and the decision was made for us. Luckily, because of this, things were much easier - with the BNO visa, my whole family - that is my wife and daughter - could come to the UK as a unit.
The pandemic was really an issue because there was a lot of uncertainty about things like flights, and new variants. After we landed here, all the flights from Hong Kong to the UK were cancelled, so we wouldn't have been able to travel until 2022 if we hadn't left at the time we did.
Since I still have many family members in Hong Kong, I was able to leave behind a lot of my property and belongings with them, and only brought my most important belongings with me. This meant that it didn't take too much time for me to pack all my things together to move, but I still had to do things like sell my car.
What I wish I’d known before I moved to the UK
I wish I’d known more about driving in the UK! There are rules here that I'm not used to, like driving in bus lanes. If I'd known about these things earlier, it may have been easier for me.
My experience working with IMG Connect
First, I must mention Marcus Anderson and IMG Connect - they were very helpful and did such a great job. Everything they do is perfectly timed. I couldn’t improve anything!
Over the past half a year, Marcus was in constant contact with me over WhatsApp and email, and whenever I had a question, I'd WhatsApp or email him, and he’d always get back to me with the answers I needed.
What’s next for me and my family?
I still see myself as someone who is learning, so I'd like to continue with my career development in GU, GI and forensic cancers. I may also try to continue some of my medical studies, for example in palliative medicine, because I know the training for this is very good in Cardiff, where there is a distance learning programme. I'm also looking forward to joining the specialist register for oncology.
My daughter is now enrolled in a private school in Colchester, where the teachers and students are very lovely, so I hope she'll adapt to the system and be able to enter the grammar school here too.
For my wife, she first wants to be able to drive in the UK. She has a driving license, but she's still quite hesitant, so that's a priority for her.
A message to my colleagues in Hong Kong
I have a heartfelt message to my colleagues in Hong Kong, if they are interested in moving to the UK. First of all, there's a lot of negative news in Hong Kong, saying that a lot of good doctors are Hong Kong, leaving those living there unattended. My message to HK doctors is that things aren’t necessarily that bad in HK, but they can be better in the UK.
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 for IMGs to secure rewarding jobs, progress within their fields and explore adjacent opportunities such as CESR, writing publications, teaching opportunities 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 family.
Join the IMG Oncologists Facebook group for access to a community of like-minded FRCR (Oncology) aspirants and dedicated oncology recruiters.
In this group you will find tailored resources for oncology IMGs, including access to our FRCR (Oncology) crash courses, completely free to all doctors.
You can access our IMG Oncologists community here.
For regular news and updates on the Royal College and all things oncology, follow IMG Connect on social media using the links below:
There are several routes a medical oncologist can take to register with the GMC and practice oncology in the NHS.
Medical oncologists looking to secure a job in the NHS must satisfy certain criteria before they can be fully registered with the GMC (General Medical Council) and receive a license to practice in the NHS. For oncology, these criteria depend on where you received your training, and the qualifications you hold.
In this blog, we’re giving you a snapshot of the steps you need to take to start your journey to the UK, as an overseas oncologist. We’ll be covering the following:
How do I demonstrate my knowledge and skills as an EEA oncologist?
How do I demonstrate my knowledge and skills as a non-EEA oncologist?
How can I demonstrate my English language skills?
What is a certificate of good standing and how do I get one?
What do I need to register with the GMC?
Will I need a visa to work in the UK?
Skip ahead to the relevant section if you know what you're looking for.
Evidence of knowledge and skills for EEA medical oncologists
For oncologists who trained in an EEA country (all countries inside the EU, also Lichtenstein, Iceland, Switzerland & Norway), there are several options potentially available to you.
Depending on the country and year you completed your residency or basic medical training, the GMC may automatically recognise your qualifications and grant you either General Registration, or Specialist Registration in the UK. To find out if your country’s qualifications will allow you to register for either GMC registration, check the relevant GMC page here.
Basic Medical Training
If you have met the requirements for basic medical training, you would not need to demonstrate your medical knowledge and skills to work as a doctor in the UK, and would therefore not need to complete a Royal College postgraduate qualification or PLAB to register with a license to practice. You would be granted full registration in this case, but not Specialist Registration.
Specialist Training / Residency
Not all European Specialist qualifications are accepted by the GMC. If you have met the GMC’s criteria pertaining to your county, then you should be eligible for Specialist Registration in oncology. So as a medical oncologist, if you hold a Relevant European Specialist qualification, you would be put on the specialist register for medical oncology and can be appointed as a substantive oncologist in the NHS.
Please note, the criteria that is outlined on your country’s GMC registration page must be met. If your training was undertaken prior to the dates mentioned by the GMC – your qualifications will not be accepted.
For EEA oncologists, the main hurdle that you will face will be demonstrating that your English skills are of a high enough standard to practice safely as a doctor in the NHS.
As a European oncologist, this is most likely the easiest route to becoming GMC-registered and being able to practice oncology in the UK.
If you do not meet the GMC requirements for your training to be approved for general or specialist registration, other routes you may consider to GMC registration include PLAB, or (via the postgraduate route) the Royal College exams for medical oncology (MRCP). You can find out more about these alternative routes here.
Evidence of knowledge and skills for non-EEA oncologists
If you qualified as a medical oncologist outside the EEA, then you will have to demonstrate that both your medical knowledge and skills AND English Language capabilities meet the level required to practice safely in the UK.
Oncologists who've trained from outside the UK and EEA and must demonstrate to the GMC they have sufficient knowledge & skills to practice safely in the UK. For medical oncologists this can be done through one of three main routes:
Professional & Linguistics Assessment Board (PLAB)
The PLAB exam is a two-part exam that assesses a doctor’s ability to work safely as an SHO in the NHS, as such it does not demonstrate ability in oncology specifically. For this reason, PLAB tends to be a route for junior doctors who have not already chosen their field of specialisation in medicine. That said, for some senior doctors PLAB can be an attractive option, offering a quicker route to the UK, whilst still securing competitive salaries. If taking this option, medical oncologists can then take up training or a more senior post once they have established themselves in the NHS. Take a look through our comprehensive guides on PLAB.
Royal College of Physicians
Attaining a Royal College qualification is a preferred path for doctors who have already chosen their field of specialism i.e. medical oncology. Oncologists taking this route will gain access to more senior, well-paid jobs in the NHS. The Royal College of Physicians is the professional body that regulates the specialism of medical oncology in the UK, and Membership of the Royal College of Physicians (MRCP) is the full qualification attainable by examination. For overseas doctors, attaining MRCP will satisfy the knowledge & skill criteria for GMC registration and facilitate application for more senior roles in UK oncology. Take a look at IMG Resources library for complete guides on MRCP to learn more.
GMC-recognised or equivalent qualifications
Some overseas qualifications and licensing exams are recognised by the GMC and accepted for registration purposes. This is to say these qualifications or licensing exams are considered as meeting the same standards as the Royal College qualifications.
To find out if your qualification is accepted by the GMC, take a look at our blog: Overseas accepted postgraduate qualifications
English Language Testing
Both EEA and non-EEA oncologists, regardless of experience, and country of origin, must demonstrate that they have a sufficient grasp and competence of the English language. This can be done by passing either the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) or the OET (OET – Occupational English Test). Detailed guides to these tests can be found below:
IELTS – a guide for overseas doctors
OET – a guide for overseas doctors
Experience in English-speaking countries
For doctors who have at least two years of their most recent experience in an English-speaking country, you can use a reference from your current employer or employers over these two or more years to demonstrate competence of the English language. This would exempt you from sitting an English language exam.
Certificate of Good Standing
All doctors registering with the GMC must provide a certificate of good standing from each medical regulatory authority they’ve been registered or licensed with in the last five years.
The medical regulatory authority may send you a certificate of past good standing if you're not currently registered or licensed with them. You can find out which medical regulatory authority to contact via the GMC website here.
If there's no medical regulatory authority in the country to issue a certificate, the GMC will give you further advice once your application has been assessed.
Please note that each certificate is only valid for three months from the date it's signed and must be valid when we approve your application.
GMC Registration
Once you’ve completed your English language exam, you can now apply for full GMC registration with a license to practice. For registration, you must provide evidence of:
English language capabilities - either your IELTS, OET or an approved reference from your current employer (if you have been working in an English-speaking country for the last two years).
AND
Certificate of good standing – the certificate from your medical regulatory authority which demonstrates good standing.
AND
(EEA oncologists) Sufficient skill and knowledge – as an EEA oncologist, this would either be your recognised EEA qualification.
(Non-EEA oncologists) Sufficient skill and knowledge – as a non-EEA oncologist, this would either be PLAB, MRCP or a GMC-approved qualification.
To understand the registration process more fully, read our article on GMC registration for overseas doctors here.
Visas
If you or your family are from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and started living in the UK by 31 December 2020, you may be able to apply to the free EU Settlement Scheme. Otherwise, you will need to apply for a visa from the Home Office.
A Health & Care visa (Tier 2 visa) is the document given to a skilled worker by the UK Home Office following a job offer from a UK employer with a valid Tier 2 Sponsorship License. The list of valid Tier 2 Sponsors can be found here.
Understand Tier 2 visas and Certificates of Sponsorship in depth by taking a look at our article: Tier 2 Visa application process & documents needed.
Wondering whether you can relocate with your family? Take a look at our blog on the Tier 2 dependent visa below: Tier 2 Dependent visa - Can I bring my family with me to the UK?
IMG Oncologists
Join the IMG Oncologists Facebook group for access to a community of like-minded FRCR (Oncology) aspirants and dedicated oncology recruiters.
In this group you will find tailored resources for oncology IMGs, including access to our FRCR (Oncology) crash courses, completely free to all doctors.
You can access our IMG Oncologists community here.
So, there you have it! Hopefully this helps to clarify any worries or doubts you may have on your route to the UK as a medical oncologist planning a career in the NHS. If you have any questions or would like to know more about the medical oncology job market, then get in touch with our team.
For regular news and updates on the Royal College and all things oncology, follow IMG Connect on social media using the links below:
There are several routes a radiation oncologist can take to GMC registration and clinical (radiation) oncology in the NHS.
Clinical (or radiation) oncologists looking to secure a job in the NHS will need to satisfy certain criteria before they can apply for full GMC (General Medical Council) registration with license to practice in the NHS. As an oncologist, these criteria depend on where in the world you trained, and the qualifications you hold. In this blog, we’re giving you a snapshot of the steps you need to take to start your journey to the UK, as an overseas oncologist. We’ll be covering the following:
Will my training be recognised in the UK?
How do I demonstrate my knowledge and skills as an EEA oncologist?
How do I demonstrate my knowledge and skills as a non-EEA oncologist?
How can I demonstrate my English language skills?
What is a certificate of good standing and how do I get one?
What do I need to register with the GMC?
Will I need a visa to work in the UK?
Recognition of knowledge and skills
For clinical oncologists who trained in an EEA country (all countries inside the EU, including Lichtenstein, Iceland, Switzerland & Norway), there are a number of different options potentially available to you.
Depending on the country and year you completed your residency or basic medical training, the GMC may automatically recognise your qualifications and grant you either General Registration, or Specialist Registration in the UK. To find out if your country’s qualifications will allow you to register for either general or specialist registration, check the relevant GMC page here.
Knowledge and skills for EEA radiation oncologists
Basic Medical Training: If you have met the basic medical training requirements, this would mean that you would not need to demonstrate your medical knowledge and skills to work as a doctor in the UK and would not need to complete a UK- recognised postgraduate qualification or PLAB to register with a license to practice. You would be granted full registration in this case, but not Specialist Registration.
Specialist Training / Residency: If you have met the criteria listed for your country, then once you have completed the GMC application process, you would be granted Specialist Registration in oncology and can be appointed as a substantive or permanent consultant in the NHS. So as an oncologist, if you hold a Relevant European Specialist qualification, you would be put on the specialist register for medical or clinical oncology and can be appointed as a substantive oncologist in the NHS.
Therefore, the main hurdle that you will face as an EEA doctor will be demonstrating that your English skills are of a high enough standard to practice safely and proficiently as a doctor in the NHS.
As a European oncologist, this is in most cases the easiest route to becoming GMC-registered and being able to practice oncology in the UK.
If you do not meet the GMC requirements for your training to be approved for full or specialist registration, other routes you may consider to GMC registration include PLAB or (via the postgraduate route) the Royal College exams for either clinical oncology (FRCR) or medical oncology (MRCP). You can find out more about these alternative routes here.
Knowledge and skills for non-EEA radiation oncologists
If you qualified as an oncologist outside the EEA, then you will have to demonstrate that both your medical knowledge and skills AND English Language capabilities meet the level required to practice safely in the UK.
Oncologists who've trained from outside the UK and EEA and must demonstrate to the GMC they have sufficient knowledge & skills to practice safely in the UK. For oncologists this can be done through one of three main routes:
Professional & Linguistics Assessment Board (PLAB)
The PLAB exam is a two-part exam that assesses a doctor’s ability to work safely as an SHO in the NHS, as such it does not demonstrate ability in oncology specifically. For this reason, PLAB tends to be a route for junior doctors who have not already chosen their field of specialisation in medicine. That said, for some senior doctors PLAB can be an attractive option, offering a quicker route to the UK, whilst still securing competitive salaries. If taking this option, clinical oncologists can then take up training or a more senior post once they have established themselves in the NHS. Take a look through our comprehensive guides on PLAB.
Fellowship of Royal College of Radiologists
The Royal College of Radiologists is the professional body that regulates the specialism of clinical oncologists in the UK, and Fellowship of the Royal College of Radiologists (FRCR) is the full qualification attainable by examination. For overseas doctors, attaining FRCR (Oncology) will satisfy the knowledge & skill criteria for GMC registration and facilitate application for more senior roles in UK clinical oncology. Take a look at our IMG Resources library for complete guides on Fellowship of the Royal College of Radiologists for clinical oncology to learn more.
GMC recognised or equivalent qualifications
Some overseas qualifications and licensing exams are recognised by the GMC and accepted for registration purposes. This is to say these qualifications or licensing exams are considered as meeting the same standards as the Royal College qualifications.
To find out if your qualification is accepted by the GMC, take a look at our blog: Overseas accepted postgraduate qualifications.
English Language Testing
Both EEA and non-EEA oncologists, regardless of experience, and country of origin, must demonstrate that they have a sufficient grasp and competence of the English language. This can be done by passing either the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or the Occupational English Test (OET). Detailed guides to these tests can be found below:
IELTS – a guide for overseas doctors
OET – a guide for overseas doctors
Experience in English-speaking countries
For doctors who have at least two years of their most current experience in an English-speaking country, you can use a reference from your current employer or employers over these two or more years to demonstrate competence of the English language. This would exempt you from sitting an English language exam.
Certificate of Good Standing
All doctors registering with the GMC must provide a certificate of good standing from each medical regulatory authority they’ve been registered or licensed with in the last five years.
The medical regulatory authority may send you a certificate of past good standing if you're not currently registered or licensed with them. You can find out which medical regulatory authority to contact via the GMC website here.
Please note that each certificate is only valid for three months from the date it's signed and must be valid when we approve your application.
If there's no medical regulatory authority in the country to issue a certificate, the GMC will give you further advice once your application has been assessed.
GMC Registration
Once you’ve completed your English language exam, you can now apply for full GMC registration with a license to practice. For registration, you must provide evidence of:
English language capabilities - either your IELTS, OET or an approved reference from your current employer (if you have been working in an English-speaking country for the last two years).
AND
Certificate of good standing – the certificate from your medical regulatory authority which demonstrates good standing.
AND
(EEA oncologists) Sufficient skill and knowledge – as an EEA oncologist, this would either be your recognised EEA qualification.
OR
(Non-EEA oncologists) Sufficient skill and knowledge – as a non-EEA oncologist, this would either be PLAB, FRCR or a GMC-approved qualification.
To understand the registration process more fully, read our blog on GMC registration for overseas doctors here.
Visas
If you or your family are from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and started living in the UK by 31 December 2020, you may be able to apply to the free EU Settlement Scheme. Otherwise, you will need to apply for a visa from the UK Home Office.
A Tier 2 visa is the document given to a skilled worker by the UK Home Office following a job offer from a UK employer with a valid Tier 2 Sponsorship License. The list of valid Tier 2 Sponsors can be found here.
Understand Tier 2 visas and Certificates of Sponsorship in depth by taking a look at our article: Tier 2 Visa - how do I apply and what's the process?
Wondering whether you can relocate with your family? Take a look at our blog on the Tier 2 dependent visa below: Tier 2 Dependent visa - Can I bring my family with me to the UK?
IMG Oncologists
Join the IMG Oncologists Facebook group for access to a community of like-minded FRCR (Oncology) aspirants and dedicated oncology recruiters.
In this group you will find tailored resources for oncology IMGs, including access to our FRCR (Oncology) crash courses, completely free to all doctors.
You can access our IMG Oncologists community here.
For clinical or radiation oncologists looking to come to the UK to work in the NHS, GMC registration and specialist registration is a crucial part of the process. Therefore, it’s important to put together a good application to present to the GMC, and IMG Connect are here to help with this.
For regular news and updates on the Royal College and all things oncology, follow IMG Connect on social media using the links below:
Are you an overseas medical oncologist looking to move to the UK? Here you can hear first-hand the experience of an international medical oncologist 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 Kishore Kumar, a brilliant consultant oncologist who relocated to the UK from India. Kishore has been living and working in the UK after receiving full GMC with license to practice. He is now working in the NHS at South Tees Hospitals 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 Kishore Kumar?
I am a medical oncologist who moved to the UK from India. I moved to the UK later in my life than most IMGs, I'd say, having worked as a consultant medical oncologist in India for over 11 years before I decided to move to the NHS. The system I worked in was quite similar to the NHS (free medical care at the point of access), and whilst I was looking for a change, this was something I enjoyed about my previous work and was looking for that in any healthcare system I may move into.
What motivated you to move to the UK?
The NHS is arguably one of the finest healthcare systems in the world (I know many some may disagree, but having personally seen some other systems, I would definitely rate the NHS very highly). Working in the NHS was a long-held desire of mine, so the move was logical once the opportunity presented itself.
Tell us about your experience with the Royal College exams...
I passed the MRCP exams in 2005 at a time when there were no overseas centers in India. I had to travel to the UK for the exam, which was held in Glasgow and I also attended a training session in Ealing Hospital for the exam. It was very exciting process for me, especially visiting the UK for the first time.
Do you have any tips or advice for overseas doctors who are currently working towards MRCP?
I passed the exam quite a while ago, so I'm not sure how relevant my advice will be to current candidates. However, from my experience, overseas doctors need to understand the NHS system to do well, especially for the PACES exam. Practices which build on this knowledge would be helpful.
How did you manage to navigate and juggle the different aspects of registration whilst working?
Since I was working full time, I needed to set aside dedicated time to study for the MRCP exams. I roped in a friend (a very bright doctor) who would conduct mock exams for me over the weekends.
Did you have any major or unexpected issues with the GMC registration process or your visa application?
Since I was applying for GMC registration a significant amount of time after passing the MRCP, the GMC wanted evidence that I was still up-to-date in my practice. Luckily, this wasn't too complicated and the GMC advisor was very helpful.
How did you find a medical oncology job within the NHS?
Two words: IMG Connect. I was completely new to the process and I was quite unsure about locations and the general steps. Ruaidhri form the IMG Connect team was my go-to person for everything, from advice regarding locations, to job profiles, visas, and GMC registration. I don’t think I would have made it here if not for him. Most importantly, IMG Connect really listened and took into consideration all of my needs and worries. 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!
I would advise any IMGs hoping to relocate to the UK to find someone (like Ruaidhri) who will genuinely look after THEIR interests. It is easy to land up in the wrong role and to struggle through the complications of trying to leave soon after. If in doubt, seek advice from overseas doctors already in the UK and honest recruitment teams like IMG Connect.
Tell us about a day in the life of an NHS consultant medical oncologist...
The days are usually quite busy. They are split into two sessions (morning and afternoon), with at least one session (sometimes both) being a clinic and the other an MDT or another supportive activity. Working in the UK is very different to working in India, in some ways. At my current hospital, we see far less patients than I used to, but the amount of time spent on each patient is far greater. Of course, five-day working weeks are very welcome (it was six in India).
Tell us about your journey to the UK...
I arrived in early November 2020, when the UK had just gone into its second lockdown. COVID numbers were very high and many people advised me against traveling until things had settled. However, at this point I didn’t see COVID-19 going away anytime soon and decided there was no time like the present. The only difference was my family made sure I traveled business class to decrease the risks - this was the only time I've ever flown business class and it was nice ;-)
What has been your experience working with IMG Connect?
Absolutely fantastic! I can’t thank Ruaidhri and Marcus enough for everything. Just to give you an example, once I'd landed in the UK and reached my accommodation, I had to quarantine for two weeks. Ruaidhri drove over 3 hours (one way, at night) from Scotland to my place and brought in groceries for the next two weeks, since I would not be able to go shopping. Need I say more.
Although it’s been almost a year since my arrival in the UK, I still regularly chat with Ruaidhri and Marcus. We're like old friends at this point.
How are you settling into life in the UK?
I'd say I'm settling in quite well, and my colleagues agree. I am currently here without my family (they will join me later), so I've needed something to do at the weekends. Once the lockdown lifted, I bought a car and have traveled quite a bit. I go trekking most weekends and enjoy visiting new places.
What have you enjoyed most about living in Middlesbrough in particular?
The proximity to great places to visit. It’s just 20 minutes from the beach, or the Yorkshire Moors. London (from Darlington) is less than 3 hours away, and Scotland is a couple of hours away, as is the lake district.
What’s next for you now that you’re working in the UK?
My department has been very helpful. They are actively supporting me in my CESR application process, and I'm getting involved in research and clinical trials. I have also been given teaching opportunities, and even delivered a talk in the Royal College of Physicians CPD series.
What’s been the biggest challenge you’ve faced in moving to the UK?
I'd say the separation from my family, primarily on account of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Have you experienced any culture shocks living in the UK?
No real 'shocks', but I've found the people here quite friendly. The only shock really is how expensive things are compared to India (things like train fares, eating out etc). I've also been introduced to things I'd never done before, like filling petrol and air in a car, ironing clothes etc.
What have you missed about India the most?
Other than my family, I miss the sunny days most (where I lived in India was sunny and not very hot). I will never take the sun for granted again!
Is there anything you wish you’d known before you began your journey to live and work in the UK?
Not really. Having friends and family who already lived in the UK (as well as the power of the internet), meant that a lot of my questions had already been answered and there was a lot of information available to me.
Do you have any tips or advice for international doctors who want to move to the UK?
Moving to the UK is something to consider if you're an IMG looking for a good work-life balance. A medical oncologist might be paid better in some countries, but it would be difficult to beat the quality of work and the relatively stress-free work environment here. I'd say try to avoid landing here during the winter - it does not make a very good first impression, but if you have interests in other areas (especially travel or hiking), the summers here are really awesome!
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 for IMGs to secure rewarding jobs, progress within their fields and explore adjacent opportunities such as CESR, writing publications, teaching opportunities 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 family.
Join the IMG Oncologists Facebook group for access to a community of like-minded MRCP aspirants and dedicated oncology recruiters.
In this group you will find tailored resources for oncology IMGs, including access to our MRCP crash courses, completely free to all doctors.
You can access our IMG Oncologists community here.
For regular news and updates on the Royal College and all things oncology, follow IMG Connect on social media using the links below: