GETTING ADVICE:
Far too many overseas doctors have been disillusioned by the difficulties they have encountered and by the absence of the opportunities they had expected. This is usually because of lack of planning and failure to take proper advice. It is essential that you have reliable and up-to-date information, and that you discuss your plans with appropriate advisors both before you start and as events unfold.
You must have a realistic view of training in the various specialties and of your own prospects and progress. The advice of colleagues in your own country may well be out of date. There are many sources of advice available to you:
Department of Health
The government department responsible for running the National Health Service and for medical education.
Website: www.doh.gov.uk/medicaltrainingintheuk
British Council Offices
Have general and specific information on medical training in Britain and on the IELTS. Doctors from countries with no British Council Office may write to the National Advice Centre for Postgraduate Medical Education (NACPME), The British Council, 58 Whitworth Street, Manchester, M1 6BB.
Tel: 0044 (0)161 957 7218. Email: nacpme@britishcouncil.org
General Medical Council (GMC)
Responsible for registration (and disciplinary matters)
Website: www.gmc-uk.org
Royal Colleges
Oversee training in the specialties throughout the UK, and run the relevant professional examinations. Most have specific advice arrangements for overseas doctors, and run sponsorship schemes (giving exemption from PLAB test).
Postgraduate Deans
There are 15 Postgraduate Deans in England, 4 in Scotland and one each in Wales and Northern Ireland. The Deans are responsible for medical training in the Deaneries - the geographical sectors based around the Medical Schools.
Regional Advisers
Each specialty has a Regional Adviser, appointed by the Royal College, who knows about training in the Deanery in that specialty and can give help and advice to individual doctors.
Specialty Training Committees
The Deanery has a Training Committee for each specialty, largely responsible for Higher Medical Training. The Chairman of the committee is a useful source of help and advice on training in the specialty. The larger specialties may have divided training into separate programmes, each with a Programme Director who will look after training in a locality.
Directors of Postgraduate Medical Education or Clinical Tutors
Each Hospital Trust has a Postgraduate Medical Centre, with a Director or Clinical Tutor who organises training and induction, and who is available to help and advise junior doctors. The director can offer confidential counselling for a wide range of issues, or can direct you to more appropriate help. The Manager of the Postgraduate Centre can also give a lot of help, particularly in relation to study leave, but also on other matters.
College Tutors
The Royal Colleges appoint Tutors to represent the specialty in each Trust. The College Tutor will organise the education programme and will have responsibility for the educational welfare of doctors in training in the specialty. You can find out how to contact the relevant College Tutor through the Postgraduate Centre.
Educational Supervisors
Every doctor in training should have a Consultant identified as his or her Educational Supervisor. This is likely to be, though not necessarily, the Consultant for whom you are working. You should meet your Educational Supervisor early in your appointment to discuss your plans & opportunities and then at regular intervals to review progress.
Mentors
It can sometimes be helpful to talk to someone with experience and understanding of your situation who is not directly involved in your training, known as a Mentor. Ask in the Postgraduate Centre or Medical Staffing department about the Mentor(s) for overseas doctors in your Trust. If necessary you can arrange to see a mentor from a neighbouring Trust.
Advisor to the Postgraduate Dean/Overseas Doctors
S/he deals with all matters relating to overseas doctors and their training.
Medical Staffing/Personnel Department
Each employing hospital has managers responsible for junior doctors. They will deal with your application, interview, appointment and contract. They can help with all matters relating to your employment and working conditions, and can advise on domestic matters such as accommodation. They will also know about future vacancies in training posts in the Trust.
British Medical Association (BMA)
The BMA is a Trade Union for doctors. Membership gives access to a wide range of advice and services. It also includes delivery of your own copy of the British Medical Journal each week. Subscriptions are reduced for junior doctors, and are a tax allowable expense.
Medical Defence Organisations
There are several defence organisations of which the largest are the Medical Defence Union (MDU) and the Medical Protection Society (MPS). They help doctors in difficulty with complaints, disciplinary procedures or legal action. Although the employing Trust accepts liability for a doctor's actions, the Trust's interests may not coincide with the doctor's interests. It is strongly recommended that doctors join one of the defence organisations from whom they can obtain very valuable help, including legal advice and support.
|
|
Quick Links
|
PLAB Visa
Permit Free Training,
Spouse Status
|
Health System of UK
Outline of Medical Training
|
Your Career Plan
Which Specialty?
Getting Advice
|
Job Opportunities
Getting Training Posts,
Starting a New Job
|
Colloquial English
Common British Names,
Some Abbreviations
|
Travel Information
Intercity, Within City,
Owning a Car
|
Living in the UK
Housing, Schooling, Banking, Taxation, Shopping, Your Health, Telephone, People
|
|
