Once you have arrived in the UK and secured a job there may still be challenges ahead, and we would like to provide you with ongoing support.
It would be helpful to join/watch an induction course before you start your first job (For example the “Welcome to UK Practice” course, ran by the GMC), and there will be some induction opportunities for you when you start.
The professional support and wellbeing hub is there to make sure you get the right support for any challenges you are currently facing, and an IMG group has been set up to provide peer to peer support too.
How we support you on arrival and after arrival
On arrival
Personal
- Social network – identify other local doctors and contacts who can support
- Buddy system – identify a person who can provide direct support on arrival
- Practical advice to be provided by host trust on advice on how to register with a GP
- Advice on local schools, substantive accommodation and so on.
- Advice on how to register with utility companies, council tax, TV licence, home contents insurance and so on.
- Local authority language courses for family members
- Understand the need to update personal contact details (for example change of address for visa monitoring, revalidation purposes, employer).
Educational
- GMC welcome to UK practice half day and online module (if not already done)
- The GMC hold regular joint meetings with colleges for new starters
- Attend programme specific face to face induction for example foundation, primary care
- Nominated mentor – may be allocated by the specialty college
- Nominated clinical supervisor – particularly if the mentor is from a different department or organisation
- Know who to go to for support
Organisational
- Named lead for international medical graduates in each trust
- Survival guide of local terms/accent
- NHS abbreviations
- Where to buy food
- Travel options, including parking
- Personal safety
- Trust face to face induction
- Supernumerary shadowing: may be bespoke to individual and depends upon on any previous UK experience. Recommended three days as minimum
After arrival
Personal
Debrief about process – ideally by named trust lead for international medical graduates or nominated deputy
Educational
- Access to educational resources (for example local, and regional teachings, clinical skills training)
- E-portfolio – if no bespoke e-portfolio available for specialty training, HORUS is the HEE e-portfolio which is free of charge
- Ongoing access to supervisors
Organisational
- Enhanced supervision period: may be bespoke to individual and depends upon on any previous UK experience. Recommended four weeks as minimum
- No on call until competency achieved
- Access to ongoing support, for example named lead for international medical graduates.