Leeds is a city in the County of Yorkshire in Northern England. Home of the UK’s tallest Maypole, it’s known for its historical architecture and for having one of the largest indoor markets in Europe. With its lively population of over 800,000 people, Leeds is certainly an exciting place to live.   Facts about Leeds The board game, Cluedo, was created in Leeds by Anthony E. Pratt due to his love of detective novels. The first version was called Murder! And was created in 1944, it was later produced under the name Cluedo by the board game company Waddington’s. William Henry Bragg and his son, William Lawrence Bragg, used x-ray technology to discover the structure of crystals at the University of Leeds. This discovery aided further discoveries such as work on the structure of DNA! The famous British sweets, Jelly Tots, were invented in Leeds by Brian Boffey when he was trying to find a way to produce powdered jelly. Middleton Railway, located in Leeds, is the world’s oldest continuously working public railway, having originally opened in 1758! The biggest animal armour in the world, armour for an elephant, is kept in the Royal Armouries in Leeds. This elephant armour weighs a whopping 118 kilograms! With over 900 trains and 100,000 passengers per day, Leeds City Station is the busiest station in the UK, outside of London. The Leeds West Indian Carnival is the longest running West Indian Carnival in Europe. The first spring-loaded mouse trap was invented by ironmonger, James Henry Atkinson in Leeds. Barwick-in-Elmet, a village in Leeds, boasts the world’s tallest maypole in the UK, the pole itself is 86 feet tall!   Cost of Living in Leeds   Renting Accommodation One-Bedroom Apartment in the City Centre £653.57 One-Bedroom Apartment Outside of the City Centre £501.65 Three-Bedroom Apartment in the City Centre £1,139.47 Three-Bedroom Apartment Outside of the City Centre £799.55   Transportation 1 ltr Petrol £1.27 One-Way Public Transport Ticket £2.50 Monthly Public Transport Ticket £58 1km Taxi Journey £1.55   Entertainment Meal out for two people in a local pub £24 Meal out for two people in a mid-range restaurant, three courses £40 Cinema Tickets for two people £16 One Month Gym Membership £25.76 Tennis Course Rental for 1 hour on the weekend £9.68 Beer 0.5ltr Bottle £3.50 Coke/Pepsi 0.33ltr bottle £1.05 Cappuccino £2.55   Time it takes to Travel by Train from Leeds to other Cities in the UK Manchester: 48 Minutes Newcastle: 1 Hour 33 Minutes Birmingham: 1 Hour 55 Minutes London: 2 Hours 15 Minutes Liverpool: 2 Hours 30 Minutes Edinburgh: 2 Hours 59 Minutes Bristol: 3 Hours 30 Minutes Cardiff: 4 Hours 21 Minutes   Education in Leeds There are 264 primary schools, 66 secondary schools, 48 sixth forms and colleges in Leeds, as well as two universities. The majority of schools in Leeds have received an Ofsted rating of ‘Good’ whilst many have also received a rating of ‘Outstanding’. 10% of all graduates in the UK were educated at one of Leeds’ universities, making the city an excellent place for education for all ages.   Things to do in Leeds   Kirkgate Market Having originally opened in 1857, this bustling market has only grown in size and popularity since then. A day out at the market is an excellent way to explore the multicultural nature of the city, with stalls from a wide variety of nationalities. The market exhibits a range of products such as food, homeware, fashion, hardware and more. A number of specialty events are hosted here throughout the year as well, including a Christmas market and Street Food event, so keep your eyes peeled for those!   Royal Armouries Museum This museum is home to an assortment of historical pieces of arms and armour from all over the world. A perfect day out for any history enthusiasts, you can explore the armour worn by knights and soldiers throughout history as well as treasures from Japan, India, the Wild West and Europe. As well as being able to explore these artifacts, the museum also hosts combat demonstrations, performances, object handling sessions and allows you to try out their crossbow range! If you get hungry after all of that, they have a restaurant that overlooks Leeds Dock. There is no fee to enter the museum, making this a cheap day out, though there is a gift shop if you wish to buy a little something to remind you of your day! There is also access and facilities for less able guests.   Go Ape An exhilarating forest adventure for the family, Go Ape’s treetop courses last between 1 and 3 hours, depending on the course you choose. This adventure takes place among the stunning treetops of a 500-year-old mansion’s estate grounds. The courses involve zip lining, climbing, rope swinging and all manner of adventurous feats. They have courses for different age groups and at various difficulty levels, so whether you’re an adrenaline junkie or just looking for a little adventure, there should be something to suit everyone. If you’d prefer to keep your feet on the ground, you can visit the mansion’s tea rooms for a snack and a drink or explore the gift shop. Prices vary depending on age and the course you choose. For the Treetop Challenge, the price for anyone aged 16 years and over is £33, and for children between 10 and 15, the price is £25. For the Treetop Adventure, the cost is £19, regardless of age.   Leeds Grand Theatre & Opera House If you’re looking for a more cultural day out, you can visit Leeds Grand Theatre and Opera House. With several musicals, operas, ballets and comedy shows available throughout the year, it’s an excellent place for an evening of entertainment. Built in 1878, the theatre also features some beautiful Victorian architecture. There are bars at the theatre if you would like some light refreshments during a show, and a number of restaurants nearby to dine at. Facilities and access for less able visitors are also available.   Tropical World Located at Roundhay Park, Tropical World is a great day out for animal lovers, with a variety of creatures including meerkats, clown fish and lizards, you can spend the day learning about animals that call the ocean, desert and rainforest their homes. If you fancy a bite to eat, you can venture over to the café, and there is also a giftshop onsite to buy a memento of your day.   Thackray Medical Museum The Thackray Medical Museum strives to educate its guests about the history of healthcare and medicine in the UK. The museum explores the changes and innovations in medicine throughout history through exhibitions, workshops and through their collections. The museum also features a gift shop and café, as well as access for less able visitors. It is currently closed for a £4 million refurbishment but aims to open its doors once more in summer 2020. In the meantime, the museum is touring on the road in their ‘emergency museum’ and they announce events on their website.   Relocation to Leeds If you’re an international doctor looking to relocate to Leeds, or another location in the UK, please email your CV to [email protected] and we can support you in securing an NHS post and on your journey to relocate to the UK. Are you a member of our Facebook Group? When you join IMG Advisor, you will join a community of doctors all looking to relocate to the UK and join the NHS. We post a series of vlogs and blogs into the group every single day. We will also be on hand to answer all your relocation queries. Subscribe to our YouTube channel! We have over 45 videos on everything you need to know about relocating to the UK and joining the NHS! Listen to BDI Resourcing on the go with IMG Advisor the Podcast. You can find us on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Stitcher and Buzzsprout. We have a number of episodes with tips and advice on relocating to the UK and the routes you can take to achieve this.   References UK & International Property Investment Services - Aspen Woolf. (2019). 11 Interesting Facts About Leeds - Aspen Woolf. [online] Available at: https://aspenwoolf.co.uk/11-facts-about-leeds/ [Accessed 10 Dec. 2019]. Leeds-List. (2019). 55 Things You Probably Don't Know About Leeds. [online] Available at: https://leeds-list.com/culture/55-things-you-probably-dont-know-about-leeds/ [Accessed 10 Dec. 2019]. Leeds.gov.uk. (2019). [online] Available at: https://www.leeds.gov.uk/leisure/parks-and-countryside/major-parks/roundhay-park [Accessed 10 Dec. 2019]. Leeds.gov.uk. (2019). [online] Available at: https://www.leeds.gov.uk/leedsmarkets [Accessed 10 Dec. 2019]. Thackraymedicalmuseum.co.uk. (2019). Thackray Medical Museum. [online] Available at: https://www.thackraymedicalmuseum.co.uk/ [Accessed 10 Dec. 2019]. Visitleeds.co.uk. (2019). Things To Do In Leeds. [online] Available at: https://www.visitleeds.co.uk/things-to-do/# [Accessed 10 Dec. 2019].  

There are several factors when an NHS hospital will decide on your pay; your job title, your years of experience and the hours you are contracted for. It is essential to note that each NHS Trust will interpret each pay scale slightly differently. So, if you have the same qualifications and the same amount of experience as a friend working at a different NHS hospital, your pay is likely to be different. In this blog post we explore the different factors that will impact your pay and how to calculate your take-home pay each month. 1. Your Job Title The salary scale you will be placed on will range depending on if you are a Foundation Doctor or equivalent, ST1/ST2/SHO or equivalent, Senior Registrar or equivalent, Specialty Doctor, Specialty Trainee or a Consultant. When you apply for an NHS job or sit an NHS interview, it is important to note which pay scale the NHS hospital will be using; this will help you determine roughly how much you will be paid. FY2 – You will have a basic salary of £32,050. Your salary will increase for all additional and unsociable hours that you work. Specialty Doctor – Your salary scale starts at £40,0037 to £74,661 basic pay. As a Specialty Doctor your additional and sociable hours will be calculated into your final salary via the number of PA’s (Programmed Activities) that you do. Specialty Trainee – On this scale, your basic salary will start at £37,935 and it will progress onto £48,075. Your basic salary will increase depending on the additional and unsociable hours that you work. Consultants – Your salary scale starts at £77,913 and can increase up to £107,668 basic pay. As a Consultant, you can be paid for any additional duties you take on such as teaching or awards that you receive. 2. Years of Experience Once you have established what salary scale you will be placed on, you will need to count your number of years’ experience solely within the specialty you are interviewing for. In order for all of your overseas experience to be recognised, you will need to evidence it to the NHS hospital who has offered you the post. This can sometimes be done via an incremental credit form. For example, if you are a Consultant with 6 years of experience then the NHS hospital will put you on point 6 or 7 of the salary scale which will provide you with a basic salary of £89,850 a year, which is £5,054 a month after tax. If you are a doctor who would like our advice on the average salary you can expect, email us at [email protected] 3. Your Contracted Hours The basic NHS pay scale is based on a standard contract of 40 hours per week. As we have previously mentioned, the salary scale you will be placed on will differ depending on the hospital that has offered you the NHS job. For instance, if you are a Registrar with five years of experience, you could be placed on the Specialty Trainee scale or the Specialty Doctor scale. Your salary can also be determined on which scale the hospital places you on. The old scale pre-2016, uses a banding system. Your basic salary will be set on an incremental scale and under normal circumstances you will be paid at the minimum incremental point on appointment to a new grade. The typical NHS pay band you will receive, will be either: Band 1A For those working between 40 and 48 hours per week on average, most antisocially 50% Band 1B For those working between 40 and 48 hours per week on average, moderately antisocially 40% The banding system means that as a result of the unsociable hours you will be working, you will receive a salary uplift of X%. For example, if you receive a basic salary of £44,000 a year and 1A banding, your salary will increase to £66,000 a year. It is important to consider the area of medicine that you specialise in. If you are an Emergency Medicine doctor, then it is likely you will work over the standard 40 hours a week. Alternatively, if you are a Dermatology where most of your patient care is planned, you are likely to work around the standard 40 hours a week. Please note, you can always increase your pay by working extra bank and locum shifts. Calculating your final take-home pay Once the NHS Trust has decided your salary, they should provide you with a clear break down including: your basic pay, your salary uplifts and your final annual salary. To calculate your take home pay, please use The Money Saving Expert’s Income Calculator. We also invite you to consider whether you will be opting into the NHS Pension Scheme as this will lower your monthly take home. Disclaimer It is important to note that this blog post is just a guide, calculating an NHS salary can be complex and there are various factors involved. If you are unsure about your salary offered, please contact us or the BMA. Relocation to the UK If you are an international doctor who would like support in securing an NHS service post, email your CV to [email protected] and we can support you in securing an NHS post and on your journey to the UK today. Are you a member of our Facebook Group? When you join IMG Advisor, you will join a community of doctors all looking to relocate to the UK and join the NHS. We post a series of blogs and vlogs into the group every single day. We will also always be on hand to answer all your relocation queries. Subscribe to our YouTube channel! We have over 50 videos on everything you need to know about relocating to the UK and joining the NHS! References Bma.org.uk. (2019). BMA - Pay scales for junior doctors in England. [online] Available at: https://www.bma.org.uk/advice/employment/pay/juniors-pay-england [Accessed 9 Dec. 2019].

A benefit of working with BDI Resourcing is that we source doctors internationally, this gives us access to a much larger pool of candidates than if we were only working with healthcare professionals already based in the UK, though we should note that some of our doctors do have UK experience. Given the NHS’ current staffing crisis, it is imperative that we bring new doctors into the system to take on permanent roles, rather than relying on locum staff to fill in the gaps. In this article, we strive to explain how we go about finding suitable candidates.   Social Media Given that we are sourcing candidates from all over the world, social media has been an incredibly helpful tool to connect with doctors that we may not have been able to make contact with otherwise. Over the past few years, we have provided potential candidates with high quality, helpful and informative content such as blogs and vlogs to aid IMGs in the process of relocating to the UK. By helping international doctors and providing them with excellent content, we have now obtained a following of over 25,000 doctors across our social media channels. Many of the doctors we have discovered through social media are highly skilled, but the number of procedures involved in obtaining GMC Registration, getting a Tier 2 Visa and relocating to the UK can seem daunting and confusing, and without the relevant guidance, these factors can hinder a doctor in their journey to relocate. The content we make to assist doctors not only offers them beneficial information but often encourages them to reach out to us to ask for our services to help them find an NHS job. By offering useful information to IMGs, we strive to establish a relationship of trust between ourselves and international candidates in a way that allows us to get to know them and evaluate their suitability and helps us to ensure that we are offering you the best candidates possible.   Networking and Referrals Over the years, we have worked hard to build an extensive network of doctors within numerous specialties. In addition to utilising social media, we also take the time to attend a number of events over the course of the year, including the Royal College conferences. This gives us the opportunity to reach out to potential candidates in person, doctors who are attend these conferences usually do so with the purpose of seeking new employment and advice, something we can provide to them face-to-face and build a rapport with them early on. On July 20th 2019, we held our first IMGs: Training in the UK Seminar in which we partnered with Naseer Khan and Arora Medical Education to provide an event for international doctors who want to pursue medical training in the UK. During this event, doctors gave talks about their own journeys and advice about their specialties in order to offer first-hand advice and experience to other international doctors. This event was hugely successful, and after the fact, many excellent doctors reached out to us in response, seeking advice and assistance with their own relocation process. As well as attending and holding conferences and seminars, our dedicated recruitment consultants each deal with specific specialty doctors. For example, we have a recruiter who specialises in Radiology, a different recruiter will then deal with Paediatrics and so on. This system allows recruiters to build a broad network of specialist doctors in a particular area of medicine, rather than having a small number of doctors for a large range of specialties. Due to this, each of our recruiters has a database of highly trained doctors in that specialist area, and it also means that they have an excellent understanding of the necessary requirements and skills needed for a doctor to excel in that area of medicine and allows them to offer you the most suitable candidates for a role. Referrals Due to the number of doctors we have successfully placed and the IMGs that we are in contact with, our candidates often refer their friends, family and colleagues to us too. During the recruitment process, our recruiters always ask potential candidates if they are in contact with any other doctors interested in working in the NHS. This practice broadens our network and constantly puts us in communication with more doctors who can benefit from our services. We also have relationships with several Royal College and English language exam coaches who are aware of the services we provide, and regularly refer their students, who are in the process of completing the necessary qualifications needed for GMC registration, to us so that they are able to make use of the services we provide. Reputation Finally, we have worked hard to build and maintain an excellent reputation among international doctors, and we always strive to offer our candidates and clients the best and advice that we are able to. As such, many doctors hear from us through word of mouth or via positive reviews online, meaning that they regularly seek us out and reach out to us via social media or our website.   Through each of these means, we have built up a database of skilled and dedicated doctors, eager and willing to take up positions within the NHS. We are continually acquiring new candidates as well, allowing us to provide hospitals with the help they need, and to fill the gaps within the NHS.   Hiring International Doctors If you are an NHS Trust who needs support securing international doctors, we would be happy to help. Email us at [email protected]    

An NHS Deanery is a regional organisation responsible for all postgraduate medical and dental training within the NHS. In 2013, the restructuring of the NHS in England led to its deaneries being incorporated to new bodies known as Local Education Boards (LETB’s) under one board called Health Education England (HEE). Each education dean/LETB is overseen by a postgraduate dean, who holds ultimate responsibility for the education and training of all junior doctors in that region. There are thirteen postgraduate deans in England, four in Scotland, one in Northern Ireland and one in Wales. Each will have an associated area where they are responsible for all trainees but due to the number of trainees in Wales and Northern Ireland, there is only one postgraduate dean for the entire nation. Specialty Training When you apply for NHS specialty training, you will apply for your desired specialty and your preferred NHS Deanery. You should note that due to the high levels of competition, you will not always receive your first-choice specialty or deanery. Click here for a list of 2018 specialty training competition ratios. The list of available deaneries can be found here: East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England, Kent, Surrey & Sussex, London Shared Services, North East, Yorkshire & the Humber, North West, South West, Thames Valley, Wessex, Scotland Deanery, Wales Deanery. Click here to see a full map. NHS training posts are centred around six strategic themes: Education to create an excellent workforce Improving quality Reshaping the NHS workforce Responding to new patient pathways Developing innovative educational infrastructure Delivering our aims through a connected organisation Please be aware that not all specialties are available within each Deanery, so make sure you do your research in order to secure your desired post within your desired specialty. Click here for our full guide on how to successfully obtain an NHS training post. Relocation to the UK If you are an international doctor who would like support in securing a service post before you apply for an NHS specialty training programme, email your CV to [email protected] and we can support you in securing an NHS post and on your journey to the UK today. Are you a member of our Facebook Group? When you join IMG Advisor, you will join a community of doctors all looking to relocate to the UK and join the NHS. We post a series of blogs and vlogs into the group every single day. We will also always be on hand to answer all your relocation queries. Subscribe to our YouTube channel! We have over 45 videos on everything you need to know about relocating to the UK and joining the NHS! References Bma.org.uk. (2019). BMA - Deaneries and HEE local offices. [online] Available at: https://www.bma.org.uk/advice/career/applying-for-training/find-your-deanery [Accessed 6 Dec. 2019].

As the festive season is almost upon us, you might be wondering what to buy for the doctor in your life…no, not your GP (though if you’re friends with your GP and you’d like to get them a gift, don’t let us stop you!). This year we’ve compiled a special list of gifts to help busy doctors in their day-to-day lives, as well as an extra list of gifts for anyone relocating to the UK.   Gifts for Doctors   Prescription Mug Price: £8.99 A fun twist on a classic gift, a doctor can prescribe themselves a mug of strong coffee during a long shift to perk them up. This gift also comes in a fun novelty prescription box. Bonus gift idea, why not buy some nice coffee for them to use in their new mug? Buy it from I Want One of Those .   Elite Doctor Briefcase Bag Price: £177.79 Doctors often carry a lot of items around with them to aid with their work including a stethoscope, notebooks, hospital passes, not to mention personal items such as wallets and maybe even a snack to eat on the go! This spacious and sophisticated bag has a comfortable shoulder strap making it easy to carry, as well as a leather inner pocket and penholders to utilise the space inside. Buy it from Medisave     Engraved Parker Ballpoint Pen Price: £64   A simple gift, but a practical one. With the amount of notetaking involved in a doctor’s daily work, they can never have enough pens! This elegant Parker pen can even be engraved with their name so that if it gets misplaced, it can be easily returned to them! Buy it from Pen Heaven   Nike Air Zoom Pulse Shoes Price: Not yet confirmed We’ve already shared this one on our social media pages, but we’re very excited about them! In case you missed it, Nike is bringing out a new range of shoes tailored specifically for the needs of doctors! They come in a number of fun, medical designs, are easy to clean and have been created with comfort in mind. They’re not available to buy until December 7th, so keep your eyes on Nike’s website on December 7th to get your hands on a pair! Read more about the Nike Air Zoom Pulse shoes here.   Nespresso Coffee Machine Price: £179.99 A more luxurious way for doctors to get their caffeine fix! You can buy a variety of different coffee pods to use with this machine so they can enjoy different coffees at different times of day, depending on how much caffeine they need. Buy it from Amazon. Hand Cream Price: £7 Many doctors suffer with dry skin due to hospital regulations of washing and sanitizing their hands regularly. Whilst hygiene is obviously important, particularly in hospitals, many doctors would appreciate the gift of a hand cream set to soothe their hands. There are also some more heavy-duty skin creams out there for extra dry skin! Buy it from Amazon.   AirPods Price: £159 For those rare moments when a doctor has a few moments to themselves, they might enjoy catching up on podcasts, listening to an audiobook, or just taking a moment to relax with some music. Apple’s AirPods are wireless so are easy to use on the go, and can be charged conveniently with their portable charging case. You will need to check that they are compatible with your recipient’s phone or device, but they do make an excellent and practical gift. Buy it from the Apple website.   Tefal Travel Mug Price: £16 We realise that this is the third coffee related item on this list…and we promise it’s the last, but this Tefal travel mug is the perfect gift for a busy doctor! It’s able to keep hot drinks warm for up to 4 hours and cold drinks cool for up 8 hours, something that any doctor could benefit from in both winter and summer.   Buy it from Amazon.     Fitbit Price: £89.99 An excellent gift for doctors who want to keep track of how many steps they’re doing on the ward. It can also monitor sleep patterns, calories burned, heart rate and more. This gift is a great way for a doctor to remain aware of their own health whilst they’re caring for the health of others.   Buy it from the Fitbit website.   ‘Trust me, I’m a Doctor’ Socks Cost: £10.50 You’re probably thinking ‘socks, really?’ but hear us out. Socks get an unfair reputation for being boring gifts, but these socks are not only practical, but a fun novelty gift for your doctor friend or family member. One sock says trust me and the other says I’m a doctor. Buy it from the Not on the High Street website.   Gifts for Relocating to the UK   Hat, Scarf and Glove Set Price: £12.99 Many joke about the cold and wet weather in England and Scotland, but this is a particularly good gift for anyone moving to the UK during the winter! UK winters can be pretty chilly, and we often see some snow before spring rolls around again, so if you know anyone who is about to relocate, they’ll certainly appreciate this gift!   Buy it from Amazon.   Winter Coat Price: £129 (men’s), £99 (women’s) An obvious  extension of the previous gift, if you’re feeling generous this holiday period, a warm winter coat will be greatly appreciated by anyone relocating to the UK this winter!   Buy them from Marks & Spencer: Men’s Women’s   Travel Guides Price: £7.99 If someone you know is planning to move to the UK soon, or has recently moved, an excellent gift for them is a travel guide for the area they’re moving to. You can get travel guides for pretty much any location in the UK, and it might help the recipient of your gift to settle into their new city by visiting the sights and local attractions. Buy it from Waterstones.   Experience Gift Price: £235 A similar concept to the previous gift, but if there is a specific attraction or place the recipient of your gift has always wanted to visit in the UK, an experience gift is a wonderful present to give! The experience pictured above is a sights of London one night break with the Coca-Cola London Eye for two, so even if your recipient lives in a different part of the UK, they would be able to stay in London for the night and take a trip on the London Eye. You can find experiences for many different parts of the UK on the Virgin Experience Days website. Buy it from the Virgin Experience Days website.   Cutlery and Utensils Price: £45 When someone is relocating to a new country, they often find it cheaper and easier to buy new furniture and utensils once they arrive in the UK, as it can actually be cheaper than having belongings shipped over. With so much to replace, someone who has just relocated will likely appreciate any homeware gifted to them, even something as simple as a new cutlery set!   Buy it from Debenhams.   Travel Adaptor Price: £6.25 An item that is sometimes overlooked but is an essential is a travel adaptor! Even if someone is planning to replace many of their belongings once they arrive in the UK, it is likely that they will keep laptops, phones and other valuable electricals to take with them. It may seem like a simple gift, but your recipient will definitely thank you for it when they’re able to charge their phone or laptop once they reach the UK! Buy it from Amazon.   Book of Idioms Price: £7.19 Many doctors who have relocated to the UK mention that they find some English sayings peculiar, or that they simply don’t understand them. This dictionary of English Idioms will not only let them have a laugh at some of the strange sayings British people use, but it will help them to integrate with their new colleagues!   Buy it from WHSmith.   Treats from Home Price: £3.99 Sometimes, it’s the simple things that people miss the most once they move to a new country. By sending someone some of their favourite snacks or treats, you can help them feel a bit less homesick. Note: Before you post any food items, make sure that you can legally ship them to the UK, you can learn more about food regulations here.   Buy it from Amazon.   Duvet Set Price: £22.50 Another practical gift, but a popular one when someone is relocating to a new country is a new duvet cover. This gift will be particularly appreciated if your recipient is relocating from a warmer country to the UK and needs some thick winter bedsheets!   Buy it from Wayfare   Personalised Calendar Price: £7.48 A more sentimental gift is a personalized calendar. If it’s going to be a while before you get to see your recipient again, a nice way to help them feel a bit less homesick is by putting some photos of yourselves on a calendar, an added touch would be to mark off any dates that you might be visiting them or when they might be returning to their home country for a visit.   Buy it from Funky Pigeon   Skype Credit Our final gift is a bonus suggestion, but a valuable one to anyone who may have family and friends back in their home country that they won’t be able to see regularly. Skype allows you to buy credit for people to call their loved ones, and you can choose the amount you wish to gift them.   To learn how to gift Skype credit to someone, visit the Skype website.   Relocation to the UK If you are an international doctor planning to relocate to the UK and join the NHS, email your CV to [email protected] and we will be happy to help you. Are you a member of our Facebook group? When you join IMG Advisor, you will join a community of doctors all looking to relocate to the UK and join the NHS. We post a series of blogs and vlogs into the group every single day. We will also always be on hand to answer all your relocation queries. Subscribe to our YouTube channel! We have over 45 videos on everything you need to know about relocating to the UK and joining the NHS! Listen to BDI Resourcing on the go with our podcast, IMG Advisor, You can find us on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Stitcher and Buzzsprout. We have several episodes with tips and advice about relocating to the UK and the routes you can take to achieve this.  

Durham is a city located in the North East of England, south of Newcastle Upon Tyne. It has a population of roughly 525,836 and is well known for its historic cathedral and castle, making it a beautiful city to relocate to, particularly if you have an interest in history.   Facts About Durham Durham Cathedral is the final resting place of two of the most prominent religious figures in Britain’s history, St Cuthbert and St Bede. Neil Fingleton, the world’s tallest man, was born in Durham. He was 7 ft. 7 inches. Durham Cathedral is over 1,000 years old! The name “Durham” derives from “dun”, the Old English world for hill, and “holme” an Old Norse word meaning “island”. English Mustard was created in Durham in the early 1900s by a woman named Mrs. Clements. Durham castle was originally built in the 11th century and is the only castle in the UK that has never been breached. Durham Miners’ Gala is the largest socialist trade union event in the world and was first held in 1871. The Durham Regatta, a rowing event, is the second oldest Regatta in Britain and has been held every year on the River Wear since 1834.   Cost of Living in Durham   Accommodation One-Bedroom Apartment in the City Centre £503.33 One-Bedroom Outside of the City Centre £346.67 Three-Bedroom Apartment in the City Centre £960 Three-Bedroom Apartment Outside of the City Centre £545   Transportation 1ltr Petrol £1.26 One-Way Public Transport Ticket £3.20 Monthly Public Transport Ticket £56.52 1km Taxi Journey £1.86   Entertainment Meal out in a local Pub for Two £24 Meal out for two in a mid-range restaurant with three courses £40 Cinema Tickets for Two People £16 One Month of Gym Membership £31.50 Beer 0.5ltr Bottle £3.50 Coke/Pepsi 0.33ltr Bottle £1.03 Cappuccino £2.42   Time it Takes to travel to other Cities from Durham by Train Newcastle: 15 Minutes Leeds: 1 Hour 14 Minutes Edinburgh: 1 Hour 51 Minutes London: 3 Hours 12 Minutes Birmingham: 2 Hours 38 Minutes Manchester: 2 Hours 5 Minutes Liverpool: 3 Hours 18 Minutes Bristol: 4 Hours 22 Minutes Cardiff: 4 Hours 56 Minutes   Education in Durham There are 237 primary schools, 54 secondary schools and 32 sixth forms and colleges in Durham. The majority of schools have an Ofsted rating of ‘Good’, with some also having a rating of ‘Outstanding’. Durham University has been ranked the 78th highest performing university in England.   Things to do in Durham   Durham Cathedral The cathedral is one of Durham’s most famous landmarks, and also one of the oldest, it is thought that construction on it began as long ago as 1093! The cathedral itself is surrounded by a picturesque town and river, making it a beautiful site to visit. A number of events are held here throughout the year, from concerts and choir services to exhibitions, afternoon tea and craft events. As well as these events, you can also admire the architecture and collection of artifacts housed within the cathedral itself in the Open Treasure exhibit. Tours of the cathedral are held throughout the year if you wish to learn more about the building’s history. Entry is free, but there is a recommended donation of £3 per person. There is a fee if you wish to explore the Open Treasure exhibit, £7.50 for adults and £2.50 for children between the ages of 5 and 18. Read more about Durham Cathedral here.   Adventure Valley Adventure Valley is a family adventure park, hosting over fifty attractions, both indoor and outdoor, making it an excellent family day out during the summer and winter. The indoor activities include soft play for children, a small theatre with ‘mini beast’ shows, and even an undercover farm yard where you can groom rabbits and ponies. The outdoor activities consist of things like zip-lining, go-karting and interacting with more outdoor animals, they even have a donkey named Nibbles who loves attention! If you get peckish, they have an indoor and outdoor café, as well as picnic tables where you can relax and enjoy a snack. The entry prices vary slightly depending on when you buy them and whether you purchase them on the gate or online. It is worth noting that adult and child tickets are always the same price, and children under one have free entry. An off-peak ticket costs £7.95 online and £8.95 on the gate, a weekend ticket not within the school holiday period costs £9.95 online and £10.95 on the gate, and a ticket for any day during a school holiday period costs £10.95 online and £11.95 on the gate. Read more about Adventure Valley here.   Durham Castle Museum The castle is home to both the museum as well as part of Durham University. The Museum houses a collection of fine art, architecture, arms, and armour that you may explore at your leisure, or on a scheduled tour. They sometimes also hold events, such as Christmas festivals. Due to the historical nature of the castle, while there are toilets, there are unfortunately no café or gift shop facilities on site, but it is possible to find both of these nearby. You can find a gift shop in the World Heritage Site Visitor Centre at the entrance to Palace Green and in the Palace Green Library. The nearest café is also at Palace Green Library and it’s called “Café on the Green”. Entry to the castle for adults is £5 and for children over five is £4, infants get free entry. They also offer a £15 family ticket for two adults and three children. Read more about Durham Castle Museum here.   Beamish Wild The perfect day out for anyone looking for an adrenaline rush, Beamish Wild is an adventure course that takes place amongst the scenic treetops of an ancient woodland. The two hour long course involves zip-wires, rope bridges, swinging tires and more. For those who prefer to keep their feet firmly on the ground, they also hold archery sessions that last an hour, and are available for both adults and children eight years and older, tickets for the archery sessions are £13.  If you’re exhausted after your adventure, there is an onsite bar and restaurant where you can relax and enjoy a well-earned bite to eat. Tickets for the adventure course are £27 for adults and £22 for children, there is a minimum age restriction of ten for children. Read more about Beamish Wild here.   Botanic Garden One of the most popular attractions in Durham, the gardens are part of Durham University, and can be found on the outskirts of the city. Nature lovers will love the variety of plant life from all over the world, including collections from Japan, China, South Africa, Chile, New Zealand and North America. They also boast a woodland garden, alpine garden and bamboo grove. For those less interested in greenery, they also hold family events, activities, exhibitions and arts and crafts throughout the year. If you need a warm drink after exploring the park on a chilly day, there is a café and a gift shop you can visit to warm up. It should be noted that dogs are not allowed within the Botanic Garden unless they are assistance dogs. Tickets for adults cost £4.50, and £1.75 for children, these are valid for three days from the purchase date and also grant you access to the nearby Oriental Museum. If you intend to visit the Botanic Garden on a regular basis, it is worth purchasing a season ticket as it is valid for a year and does not cost much if you will be a regular visitor. Season tickets are £15 for adults and £6.00 for children. You can also buy a family season ticket costing £40 for two adults and two children. You can read more about the Botanic Garden here.   Gala Theatre The Gala can be found on the banks of the River Wear, and is both a theatre and a cinema, where you can enjoy a cultured evening of theatrics, or fun afternoon watching the latest movies with a bag of popcorn. If you want to make a day of it, there’s also an onsite café where you can dine on meals and snacks, depending on your mood. You can read more about the Gala Theatre here.   Relocating to Durham If you’re an international doctor looking to relocate to Durham, or another location in the UK, please email your CV to [email protected] and we can support you in securing an NHS post and on your journey to relocate to the UK. Are you a member of our Facebook group? When you join IMG Advisor, you will join a community of doctors all looking to relocate to the UK and join the NHS. We post a series of vlogs and blogs into the group every single day. We will also always be on hand to answer all your relocation queries. Subscribe to our YouTube channel! We have over 45 videos on everything you need to know about relocating to the UK and joining the NHS! Listen to BDI Resourcing on the go with IMG Advisor the Podcast. You can find us on Apple podcast, Spotify, Stitcher and Buzzsprout. We have a number of episodes with tips and advice on relocating to the UK and the routes you can take to achieve this.   References Hallgarth The Manor House, Durham. (2019). 10 fascinating facts about Durham Cathedral | Hallgarth The Manor House, Durham. [online] Available at: https://hallgarthdurham.co.uk/news/10-fascinating-facts/ [Accessed 3 Dec. 2019]. eazi-clean. (2019). 6 interesting facts about County Durham - Eazi Cleans new home. [online] Available at: https://www.eazi-clean.co.uk/6-interesting-facts-county-durham/ [Accessed 3 Dec. 2019]. Galadurham.co.uk. (2019). [online] Available at: https://www.galadurham.co.uk/ [Accessed 3 Dec. 2019]. This is Durham. (2019). Attractions in Durham | Things to see & do. [online] Available at: https://www.thisisdurham.com/things-to-do/durham-attractions [Accessed 3 Dec. 2019]. Dur.ac.uk. (2019). Botanic Garden : Opening hours and admission charges - Durham University. [online] Available at: https://www.dur.ac.uk/botanic.garden/visit/admission/ [Accessed 3 Dec. 2019]. Chronicle, E. (2019). Ten interesting facts about Durham. [online] nechronicle. Available at: https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/local-news/ten-interesting-facts-about-durham-1342132 [Accessed 3 Dec. 2019]. Population.city. (2019). County Durham · Population. [online] Available at: http://population.city/united-kingdom/county-durham/ [Accessed 3 Dec. 2019]. Dur.ac.uk. (2019). Durham Castle Museum : What's Here - Durham University. [online] Available at: https://www.dur.ac.uk/durham.castle/whatshere/ [Accessed 3 Dec. 2019].  

Britons celebrate the festive season with a range of rituals and traditions, from decorating Christmas trees to hanging up stockings. To start Advent off, we wanted to share with you the most popular Christmas traditions in the UK.   Christmas Trees Romans used fir trees to decorate their temples during Saturnalia, a feast in honour of Saturn, the god of agriculture and the predecessor to Christmas. Evergreen trees were thought to keep away evil spirits, illness and were put up during the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year, to remind them that the spring would return. Christmas trees made it to the UK in the 1830s and in 1841, Prince Albert set up a tree in Windsor Castle. In 1846, the Royal family was sketched standing around their Christmas tree, after which the practice became very fashionable.   The story behind Santa Claus The story of Father Christmas started with St. Nicholas, a bishop who lived in Myra in the 4th Century. He had a reputation for giving to the poor and being kind to children. Legend has it that St. Nicholas dropped a bag of gold down the chimney of a poor man who could not afford his daughter’s dowry. The bag fell into a stocking that had been left by the fire to dry.   Father Christmas in Red Legend goes that Santa’s suit is red because of a successful advertising campaign for Coca-Cola that featured Father Christmas wearing red robes with a white trim, the soft drink’s colours. However, the red and white actually derive from the colours of St. Nicholas. Over time, the bishops’ red and white robes were replaced by a fur-trimmed suit.   Turkey on Christmas Day Goose, boar and peacock have all been popular Christmas meats over the centuries, but nowadays, Turkey reigns supreme as the traditional Christmas Day meal in the UK. Legend has it that King Henry VIII was the first English monarch to eat Turkey on Christmas Day, popularizing it among the upper classes as the bird was imported from America.   Mince Pies Mince pies were traditionally known as Christmas pies, and crib pies as their oblong shape was meant to resemble Jesus’ cradle. The pies were initially made of meat, usually mutton and were influenced by crusaders who came back from the Middle East with spices.   Christmas Pudding Christmas puddings are sometimes called figgy pudding. It is made from beef, mutton, currants, wines and spices, frumenty was typically eaten as a fasting meal in preparation for the Christmas celebrations.   Advent Calendars The season of Advent is traditionally celebrated by Christmas in the four weeks leading up to Christmas Day. It begins on the Sunday that falls between November 27th and December 3rd each year and symbolizes the ‘coming’ of Christ. By the last 1950’s, chocolate Advent calendars were popular and now, the cardboard Christmas countdowns contain a variety of treats, including beauty produces, children’s toys, gin and even cheese.   Christmas Cards In 1843, Sir Henry Cole, a civil servant and educator, and his friend John Horsley, an artist, produced the first Christmas card. The development of printing processes meant Christmas cards grew popular during the Victorian era with new, distinctive designs on sale in bookshops.   Christmas Crackers Crackers are a Victorian invention, created by a sweet maker who wanted a novel way of selling his wares after sales slumped. The story goes that Tom Smith watched a fire crackle and the thought of how the packaging could ‘crack’. The sweets were replaced by trinkets and jokes, and paper hats were introduced.   Christmas Lights Christmas is not only the most wonderful time of the year but also the most colourful due to the massive Christmas light displays all over the UK. Take advantage of that by driving around and looking at the beautifully lit-up houses or drive through attractions with your family.   References The Telegraph. (2019). Christmas traditions: Advent calendars, mince pies and the story of Santa Claus. [online] Available at: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/christmas/0/christmas-traditions-advent-calendars-mince-pies-story-santa/ [Accessed 29 Nov. 2019].   Relocation to the UK If you are an international doctor who would like support in securing a service post before you apply for an NHS specialty training programme, email your CV to [email protected] and we can support you in securing an NHS post and on your journey to the UK today. Are you a member of our Facebook Group? When you join IMG Advisor, you will join a community of doctors all looking to relocate to the UK and join the NHS. We post a series of blogs and vlogs into the group every single day. We will also always be on hand to answer all your relocation queries. Subscribe to our YouTube channel! We have over 45 videos on everything you need to know about relocating to the UK and joining the NHS! Listen to BDI Resourcing on the go with our podcast, IMG Advisor, You can find us on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Stitcher and Buzzsprout. We have several episodes with tips and advice about relocating to the UK and the routes you can take to achieve this.

The NHS is heavily supported by a skilled, international workforce, who have made a significant contribution to the care of patients. Did you know that for the first time this year, more international doctors registered with the GMC than British and EU doctors? International recruitment is essential to keep the NHS workforce supply and demand in balance; our mission at BDI Resourcing. Traditional Methods In previous years, many NHS Trusts have tried their own recruitment methods which involved flying HR Managers and lead Clinicians out to various countries across the world to interview and secure doctors. However, this is time consuming, costly and also rarely successful. Most doctors will simply not be in a position to apply for a GMC licence in the UK as they will not have passed their Royal College examinations, or will be waiting to pass an English language qualification. This traditionally would lead to potential delays of 12 -18 months for a doctor even be in a position to work in the UK, lots of conditional offer letters being sent out, blocking up positions within departments with no realistic timescale as to when they may be able to start.  We therefore believe in the power of online recruitment of doctors who want to live in the UK, regardless of what country they are from. It’s faster, more convenient and delivers doctors in a timely fashion to overstretched departments. Ethical Approach We would like to emphasise the importance of ethical recruitment. If you are recruiting outside of the EEA, you must adhere to the World Health Organisation’s Code of Practice and the NHS Employers Code of Conduct. Principles listed on the Code of Practice International recruitment is a sound and legitimate contribution to the development of the healthcare workforce Extensive opportunities exist for individuals in terms of training and education and the enhancement of clinical practice Developing countries will not be targeted for recruitment, unless there is an explicit government-to-government agreement with the UK to support recruitment activities International health care professionals will have a level of knowledge and proficiency comparable to that expected of an individual trained in the UK International health care professionals will demonstrate a level of English language proficiency consistent with safe and skilled communication with patients, clients, carers and colleagues International healthcare professionals legally recruited from overseas to work in the UK are protected by relevant UK employment law in the same way as other employees International healthcare professionals will have equitable support and access to further education and training and continuing professional development as all other employees Using a Recruitment Agency BDI Resourcing is part of the NHS’ Procurement in Partnership Framework. This allows us to directly supply doctors to all NHS Trusts. BDI Resourcing do not actively recruit from any country in particular. The doctors we supply to hospitals are a result of them directly contacting us via  social media in response to the promotion of our partner NHS Trusts or directly to access our free  guidance about all things in relation to relocation to the UK. You can find us listed on the NHS’ PiP Recruitment Agency list here. How BDI Resourcing secure doctors: Online Recruiting Recruiting online allows us to connect with quality doctors with the correct qualifications required to work in the UK. Social media is an essential forum for an international doctor who wants to work in the UK. They can connect with other IMGs, receive free information, feedback on hospitals and advice on personal issues. According to GlobalWedIndex, the average internet user has more than 5 social media accounts. At BDI Resourcing, we have a number of social media strategies to reach out to a global audience of healthcare talent. Each recruitment agency will develop their own social media strategy; however, below are the reasons for our success: We create and participate in the right conversations: The key is to cut through the noise and find the right doctors. Being active on social media is the best way to get our job openings in front of doctors of which they will then apply directly for, regardless of the country they are from. Informative content: Social media goes beyond advertising our NHS job opportunities. We create and share free and useful content which leads to high engagement and in turn we organically attract doctors who want our help in securing an NHS post. All our employees are active: It is imperative that all of our team are active on social media as this increases our reach and website registrations. Our Help If you are an NHS hospital who has decided that you would like our support in helping you speak with international doctors eligible to work in the UK, contact us at [email protected] for further information. References Recruiterbox.com. (2019). How to Use Social Media to Recruit and Hire | Recruiterbox. [online] Available at: https://recruiterbox.com/business-guides/recruiting-and-hiring/use-social-media-recruit-hire [Accessed 27 Nov. 2019].

It’s no secret that London is the most expensive place to live in the UK and one of the most expensive cities in the world. Despite the hefty price tag that comes hand-in-hand with living in the UK’s capital, it’s still a highly sought-after location for its vibrant atmosphere and abundance of attractions. In this article, we will be dissecting the cost of living in London to help you decide if it’s a city you would like to consider relocating to.   Accommodation There are numerous costs to consider when relocating to the UK and these costs will vary depending on your situation. Whether you’ll be relocating on your own or with you family can have a huge impact on the cost of living in any city, let alone in London. One of the most important costs to consider, no matter the circumstances, is accommodation. London is notorious for its steep house prices, so it is probably best to consider this cost before any others. In the table below, you can see the average prices of renting and buying in London, though it is important to note that this is just a guide, and the prices can vary depending on the area of the city you’re hoping to move to.   Renting: Cost of Renting in London per Month Cost 1 Bedroom Apartment in the City Centre £1,696.82 1 Bedroom Apartment Outside of the City Centre £1,203.32 3 Bedroom Apartment in the City Centre £3,161.11 3 Bedroom Apartment Outside of the City Centre £2,024.51     Buying: Cost of Buying in London Cost Average price of a property in London £457,471 Average lowest potential price of property in the cheapest area of London £297,039     Utilities Another obvious expense to consider is utility bills such as water, electricity and gas. As with the property prices, this is merely a guide and can differ based on a number of different factors such as the size of your accommodation and the energy provider you are with. Type of Utility Cost 1 Bedroom apartment council tax per year Up to £1200             3 Bedroom apartment council tax per year Up to £1,400            1 Bedroom apartment water bill per month £24.60 3 Bedroom apartment water bill per month £29.05 1 Bedroom apartment electricity bill per month £25.00 3 Bedroom apartment electricity bill per month £60.00 1 Bedroom apartment gas bill per month £26.50 3 Bedroom apartment gas bill per month £60.57 Internet bill per month (60 Mbps or more, unlimited data) £31.35 Potential monthly utility total for a 1-bedroom apartment: £207.45 Potential monthly utility total for a 3-bedroom apartment: £267.64     Childcare Education in state funded schools in the UK is free once a child starts infant school as council tax covers these costs. However, if you have a child below school age, or if you need someone to look after your children after school, you will need to pay for a childminder or nursery. Type of Childcare Cost per week Registered Childminder (25 hours for a child under 2) £159 Day Nursery (25 hours for a child under 2) £174  Part-time Nanny (25 Hours) £250-£400 per week including tax and National Insurance contributions Monthly total for a Registered Childminder for 25 hours per-week: £636 Monthly total for a Day Nursery for 25 hours per-week £696 Monthly cost for a Part-time Nanny for 25 hour per-week, £400 per week: £1600   Groceries The cost of groceries can differ depending on how many people you’re buying for, how much you buy, which supermarket you buy from and if you choose to purchase branded products over shop labelled products, so we can only offer a rough estimate. However, the average monthly cost of groceries for a single person in London if they were only buying the basics is £250. The table below offers a breakdown of common household products and is not exhaustive. Product Cost Milk 1 litre 97p Loaf of Bread 500 grams £1.09 Carton of 12 Eggs £2.04 Cheese 500 grams £3.48 Chicken Breasts 1kg £5.93 Beef 1kg £8.28 Rice 1kg £1.28 1 head of Lettuce 75p Tomatoes 500g £1.30 Potatoes 1kg £1.19 Onions 1kg £1.02 Apples 1kg £1.88 Bananas 1kg £1.07 Oranges 1kg £2.03 Coffee 200-gram jar £2.15 Teabags 125-gram box £1.50 Sugar 2kg bag £1.30 Toilet Roll x 4 rolls £2.00 Shower Gel 250ml £1.00 Toothpaste 125ml £2.00 Deodorant 50ml £2.04 Shampoo 400ml £4.41 Washing Powder 2.6kg £6.00 Washing up Liquid 780ml £1.80 Beer 0.5 litre bottle £1.80 Bottle of Wine £8.00 Water 1.5 litre bottle 83p Total cost if you bought one of each of these items in one shopping trip: £67.14   Commuting and Transportation Expenses Depending on where you will be working, and how much you intend to travel in your free time, it’s worth considering your travel options and the potential expenses. A benefit of living in London is that travel cards will work on multiple modes of transport, for example, Oyster cards work on both tubes and buses, and the cost is capped. If you plan to use public transport, is also worth considering which zones you will be frequenting as this will also have an impact on the cost. We have a more in-depth article about modes of transport in the UK which explains the London transport system in more detail which you can read here, but to give you an idea of what public transport in London is like, there’s over 19,000 bus stops in London served by roughly 8000 buses daily. Mode of Transport Cost One-Way local transport ticket £2.50 Weekly Zone 1-6 Oyster Travelcard £60.20 Weekly Zone 1-2 Oyster Travelcard £32.10 1km Taxi Journey £3.11 1 litre of Petrol £1.29 Monthly Transportation Pass £144.24 Monthly Zone 1-6 Oyster Travelcard £246.60 Monthly Zone 1-2 Oyster Travelcard £134.80 A month’s worth of one-way tickets: £150   Leisure and Activities Whilst it may not be considered a necessity, it is important to make sure you have some extra money for activities you enjoy. As such, it’s good to get an idea of the cost of restaurants, cinemas and other leisure activities. Once again, the prices will differ from restaurant to restaurant and venue to venue, these are merely average costs. Activity Cost Meal for 1 person at an inexpensive restaurant £15 Meal for 2 people at a mid-range restaurant £55 Fast Food meal for 1 person £6.00 Beer 0.5ltr bottle £5.00 Coke/Pepsi 0.33 litre bottle £4.50 Water 0.33 litre bottle £1.46 Cappuccino £2.81 Monthly Gym Membership for 1 person £38.46 Cinema tickets for 2 people £26 Theatre tickets for 2 people £174 Meal for 2 and a trip to the cinema total: £81 Meal for 2 and a trip to the theatre total: £229   We cannot offer any kind of definitive monthly total as there are so many variables, from where you live, to how you intend to travel, and how many groceries you will purchase a month. Below, we offer a very rough monthly total for a single person and a family of three, but we really do emphasise that this is only a rough estimate and can vary greatly depending on your circumstances. The following estimates are based on renting in the centre of London, they also do not include any kind of leisure activities and assume that the adults in the family will be using a monthly transport pass rather than driving. Costs for One Person: Rough monthly costs for 1 person Cost 1 Bedroom Apartment Outside of the City Centre £1,203.32 Council tax per-month £100 Water bill £24.60 Electricity bill £25.00 Gas bill £26.50 Internet bill per month (60 Mbps or more, unlimited data) £31.35 Groceries £250 Monthly Zone 1-2 Oyster Travelcard £134.80  Monthly Total: £1795.57   Costs for a Family: Rough monthly costs for 2 adults and 1 child under 5 years old Cost 3 Bedroom Apartment Outside of the City Centre £2,024.51 Council tax per-month £116.67 Water bill £29.05 Electricity bill £60.00 Gas bill £60.57 Internet bill per month (60 Mbps or more, unlimited data) £31.35 Monthly total for a Day Nursery for 25 hours per-week £696 Groceries £625 Monthly transport pass for 2 adults £493.20 Monthly Total: £4136.35   Relocation to the UK If you are an international doctor who would like to relocate to London, or anywhere else in the UK, please email your CV to [email protected] and we will be happy to help you. Are you a member of our Facebook group? When you join IMG Advisor, you will join a community of doctors all looking to relocate to the UK and join the NHS. We post a series of blogs and vlogs into the group every single day. We will also always be on hand to answer all your relocation queries. Subscribe to our YouTube channel! We have over 45 videos on everything you need to know about relocating to the UK and joining the NHS! Listen to BDI Resourcing on the go with our podcast, IMG Advisor, You can find us on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Stitcher and Buzzsprout. We have several episodes with tips and advice about relocating to the UK and the routes you can take to achieve this.   References Moneyadviceservice.org.uk. (2019). Average childcare costs. [online] Available at: https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/childcare-costs [Accessed 26 Nov. 2019]. Horne, B. (2019). Buying a house in London: house prices and costs - Which?. [online] Which? Money. Available at: https://www.which.co.uk/money/mortgages-and-property/first-time-buyers/buying-a-home/buying-a-house-or-flat-in-london-arf8g3r8sxpp [Accessed 26 Nov. 2019]. Living, C. and Kingdom, U. (2019). Cost of Living in London, United Kingdom. Nov 2019 prices in London.. [online] Expatistan, cost of living comparisons. Available at: https://www.expatistan.com/cost-of-living/london [Accessed 26 Nov. 2019]. Living, C. and Kingdom, U. (2019). Cost of Living in London. [online] Numbeo.com. Available at: https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/in/London [Accessed 26 Nov. 2019]. Workgateways.com. (2019). New arrivals - Cost of Living in the UK, Cost of living London, Cost of living England. [online] Available at: https://www.workgateways.com/working-in-the-uk/cost-of-living [Accessed 26 Nov. 2019]. Citrus Relocation and Lifestyle. (2019). Relocation to London and UK Utility Prices and London | Citrus Relocation. [online] Available at: https://www.citrusrelocation.com/utilities-property-pricing-london/ [Accessed 26 Nov. 2019]. Data.london.gov.uk. (2019). TfL Bus Stop Locations and Routes – London Datastore. [online] Available at: https://data.london.gov.uk/dataset/tfl-bus-stop-locations-and-routes [Accessed 28 Nov. 2019].

What is Oriel? Oriel is the UK-wide portal and recruitment system for specialty medical and public health training vacancies. Oriel will allow you to register for training posts, view vacancies, book interviews and assessment centres and manage your offers. NHS specialty recruitment is organised nationally by Health Education England and the Head Deanery. This means that you only need to complete one online application and state your preferred geographical location, rather than submitting multiple applications. National Recruitment Rounds NHS specialty recruitment is split into five recruitment rounds throughout the year. Academic Recruitment – Academic Clinical Fellowship posts are advertised Round 1 – Recruitment for all CT1/ST1 specialty training posts across the UK, some run through specialties at higher entry levels. Adverts tend to open in November time and posts will start in August. Round 2 – This is the first time that ST3/4 posts in uncoupled training programmes will be advertised. This round may also include ST3 entry level posts in run through specialties. Adverts typically appear in late January and posts will start in August. Round 1 Re-Advert – If any posts advertised from Round 1 remain vacant, a second round is run to fill the remaining posts. Adverts open in February. Round 2 Re-Advert – Not all specialties will advertise for this round and it is not limited to CT1/ST1 or ST3/4. Posts will usually not start later than December. How competitive are NHS posts? When deciding which posts and specialties to apply for, you are advised to consider carefully the likely levels of competition involved and be prepared to be flexible about your specialty choices: not all doctors will be successful in getting a place in their first-choice specialty and/or region. Click here to find a full list of specialty competition ratios from previous years’ recruitment rounds. How to plan your Specialty training application Once you have decided what specialty you are going to apply for, you need to check that you are eligible to make your application. HEE person specifications are available here. How to evidence your foundation competences All doctors applying to CT1/ST1 posts are required to provide evidence of achievement of Foundation Competence within the 3.5 years prior to the start date to the post applied for. The accepted competencies are: Currently on an NHS foundation programme Completed an NHS foundation programme Currently on a HEE specialty training programme (e.g. WAST) Your Oriel application Before you submit your application, you should check you have uploaded the following: Your application based against the specialty applicant guidance Criteria contained within the person specification Any mandatory documentation Evidence to support your application: From the dates and titles of your qualifications, publications, presentations, research, audit etc. If you are invited to an interview, you will need to provide the original copies Career research: You must demonstrate your reasons for applying for a specialty and what you can bring in terms of your skills and personal attributes Referees: who have supervised your clinical training in the last two years Immigration status and your right to work in the UK GMC Registration English language skills as per the eligibility criteria as demonstrated by registration with the appropriate regulator Any examination/competency/experience requirements in line with the post Please note this blog post is just a guide to applying for NHS specialty training. If you would like official guidance and support, please contact HEE directly. Relocation to the UK If you are an international doctor who would like support in securing a service post before you apply for an NHS specialty training programme, email your CV to [email protected] and we can support you in securing an NHS post and on your journey to the UK today. Are you a member of our Facebook Group? When you join IMG Advisor, you will join a community of doctors all looking to relocate to the UK and join the NHS. We post a series of blogs and vlogs into the group every single day. We will also always be on hand to answer all your relocation queries. Subscribe to our YouTube channel! We have over 45 videos on everything you need to know about relocating to the UK and joining the NHS! References Specialtytraining.hee.nhs.uk. (2019). Specialty Training > Recruitment > Applicant guidance. [online] Available at: https://specialtytraining.hee.nhs.uk/Recruitment/Application-guidance [Accessed 26 Nov. 2019].

The European Diploma in Intensive Care Medicine (EDIC), is a two-part examination which tests a doctor’s theoretical understanding, competencies and professional conduct in the area of intensive care medicine. It has only been recognised by the GMC since June 2019, and only if it was awarded after January 2015. Having completed both parts of EDIC and obtained a pass in IELTS or OET, you will be eligible to take up an ST3+ post or higher.   Eligibility To be eligible to sit EDIC, you must have completed a year’s internship, and either be enrolled in or have completed a national training programme in one of the following primary specialties: Anaesthesiology General/Internal Medicine (and other medicine specialties) General Surgery (and other surgical specialties) Accident & Emergency Medicine Paediatrics Intensive Care Medicine (if it is a primary specialty) Or, have completed 18 months’ training in Intensive Care Medicine. To be eligible for EDIC Part 2, you must have completed EDIC Part 1 and have 24 months of training in Intensive Care Medicine. It is important to note that both exams will be in English, so whilst neither IELTS nor OET are required to be eligible for the exam, we would advise that you only attempt it once you have a good level and understanding of English.   Cost of EDIC EDIC Part 1 for ESICM Members  €360 EDIC Part 1 for Non-Members  €510 EDIC Part 1 for ESICM Members in Non-EU Centres  €460 EDIC Part 1 for Non-Members in Non-EU Centres  €610   EDIC Part 2 for ESICM Members  €480   EDIC Part 2 for Non-Members  €680   Modules Tested Both EDIC Part 1 and Part 2 will cover the following competencies: Disease Management Cardiovascular Disorders Neurological Disorders Renal and Genito-Urinary Disorders Gastrointestinal Disorders Respiratory Disorders Infections Other Disorders (Haemo-Oncologic; Metabolic-Toxic; Peri-Partum) Therapeutic Interventions / Organ System Support Medical Treatment Organ System Support Peri-Operative Care Practical Procedures Respiratory System Cardiovascular System Central Nervous System Patient General Care Resuscitation & Initials Management of Critically Ill Patients Comfort and Recovery End-of-Life Care Patient Safety and Health Management System Pathophysiology Assessment, Diagnosis and Monitoring Treatment ICU-Management General Knowledge Adult Patients Paediatric Patients   EDIC Part 1 Part 1 of the EDIC Examination is a multiple-choice questionnaire lasting three hours with 100 questions. The exam itself consists of Type A questions where there will be a number of answers labelled A-E, and you must choose the answer that you feel is the most accurate. There will also be some Type K questions where you will be expected to say whether a statement is true or false. Questions may be about any area of intensive care medicine, from basic medical science and physiology to ethics, so preparation is key. You can find a full list of EDIC Part 1 test centres here.   EDIC Part 2 Part 2 of the examination is in the format of an OSCE, an objectively structured clinical exam. It lasts a minimum of two hours altogether and consists of six skill stations. Three of these stations will be clinical scenarios, lasting thirty minutes each, and the final three stations will be computer based and last between thirteen and fifteen minutes each. There is no set format in terms of which part of the exam you will sit first, so you can sit the computer-based portion or the clinical scenarios first. Before undertaking the clinical scenario section of the exam, you will first enter a preparation room in which you will receive any relevant information you will need to help you get ready for the scenarios ahead. You will generally spend thirty minutes in this room, so we would recommend taking the time to really analyse any reading materials offered to you to fully prepare. The clinical scenarios in particular will test your professionalism and communication skills when dealing with patients. The computer-based part of the examination consists of assessing data interpretation such as radiological images, ECGs and biochemical scenarios. Some doctors say that they find this part of the examination more challenging, so it may be worth spending some extra time preparing for this section, though it is equally important to study for both parts. There will be between eight and twelve scenarios or pictures that you will have to assess. You can find a full list of EDIC Part 2 test centres here.   Revision Resources   Books Multiple Choice Questions in Intensive Care Medicine by Steve Benington MB ChB MRCP FRCA, Peter Nightingale and Maire Shelly MB ChB FRCA Critical Care MCQS – A Companion for Intensive Care Exams by Steven Lobaz, Mika Hamilton, Alastair J. Glossop and Ajay H. Raithatha Objective Structured Clinical Examination in Intensive Care by Jeyasankar Jeyanathan and Daniel Owens Websites ESICM Academy   Relocation to the UK If you are an international doctor planning to relocate to the UK and join the NHS, email your CV to [email protected] and we will be happy to help you. Are you a member of our Facebook group? When you join IMG Advisor, you will join a community of doctors all looking to relocate to the UK and join the NHS. We post a series of blogs and vlogs into the group every single day. We will also always be on hand to answer all your relocation queries. Subscribe to our YouTube channel! We have over 45 videos on everything you need to know about relocating to the UK and joining the NHS! Listen to BDI Resourcing on the go with our podcast, IMG Advisor, You can find us on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Stitcher and Buzzsprout. We have several episodes with tips and advice about relocating to the UK and the routes you can take to achieve this.   References ESICM. (2019). EDIC - ESICM. [online] Available at: https://www.esicm.org/education/edic2-2/ [Accessed 25 Nov. 2019].