Working in the UK                                                                                                                                                    Register with us

It is a big step to start working in another country and there are usually many questions to be asked at the outset. We have listed some of the most common ones below. In addition to these you can find a detailed description of the NHS at: group.bmj.com/group/affinity-and-society-publishing/NHS%20Guide.pdf

Will my English be good enough?
No English test is required if you apply for GMC registration as an EU-citizen. However, the hospitals require that your standard of English is good and you will not be offered employment if the hospital feels it is not adequate.
Recommended literature in medical English:
“A Manual of English for the Overseas Doctor “ , Joy Parkinson. ISBN 0-443-06136-X
“English in Medicine” , Glendinning & Holmström. ISBN 0-521-59570-3

Do I need insurance (medical indemnity)?
The Clinical Negligence Scheme for NHS Trusts (CNST) covers cases of medical negligence that arise from the management of patients within NHS hospitals.  It does not cover criminal cases, GMC or disciplinary proceedings, private work or Good Samaritan acts. For further information please refer to the CNST website: www.nhsla.com/Clinicians. 
To protect yourself in case of claims of negligence by patients, we strongly advise that doctors should take out and maintain professional indemnity insurance. There are some positions in which this is compulsory.
Further information about the benefits of professional indemnity insurance can be obtained from either the Medical Defence Union (MDU) at www.the-mdu.com, the Medical Protection Society (MPS) at www.medicalprotection.org or the Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland (MDDUS) at www.mddus.com. 

Accommodation and travel
Most NHS hospitals offer accommodation. This is often rather basic and you can expect to share a kitchen and bathroom. Scanloc can help you to find alternative accommodation if required.
For standard NHS locum jobs you will pay your own travel costs to and from the UK. Most hospitals pay travel expenses to and from your port of entry and the hospital. 
 
Can I apply for a permanent post?
Permanent posts are called substantive posts. We can help you find a substantive post and are able to advise you when negotiating pay levels, type of contract and relocation expenses. 

Can I see private patients?
Many NHS Consultants in permanent posts also work privately. The earnings from private practice vary enormously from hospital to hospital; from a few tens of thousands of pounds to six figure incomes on top of your NHS salary. The choice of location is therefore significant and Scanloc can advise you regarding this choice.

Why are there so many different grades of doctor?
There are many different job titles in the UK and these are explained in a separate section. Click here.

How will I be paid?
When you work on a temporary locum basis for the NHS or at a Private hospital through Scanloc you will be paid on a weekly basis directly into your British bank account. Doctors in permanent posts are normally paid on a monthly basis. Scanloc will assist you in opening a British account.

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