This Blog briefly explores Psychiatry within the NHS, outlining the different specializations and their accompanying responsibilities, alongside the associated higher training specialty interests. As an international recruitment agency, BDI Resourcing recommend that any Psychiatrist wanting to work within the UK and practice within the NHS, takes the MRCPsych examination suite.   Can I specialise? During Core Training within the UK, a Doctor will complete placements in a number of sub-specialties including at least 12 months in General Adult, before going on two train in one or two of the below specialties. Child and Adolescent Child and adolescent psychiatrists work with children and young people who have mental health problems. Doctors working in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry within the NHS deal with a wide range of mental health problems, including emotional and psychiatric problems. Much of the work is to identify the problem for the young people and advise on what may help. When working within this specialism your work may be carried out with other professionals or carers of young people, rather than directly with the young person themselves.  For example, child and adolescent psychiatrists within the NHS may work with teachers, foster carers, paediatricians, siblings or others involved with a young person in difficulty. The majority of your work will take place in local community settings, such as clinics, schools and people’s homes.  Other settings include inpatient units, with specialist community teams or within acute hospitals.   General Adult General adult psychiatrists normally treat people who are “working age”, with a wide range of disorders, including manifestations of “organic” brain disorders, psychoses, depressive illness and personality disorders. They work closely with other agencies within mental health. The psychiatrist works as an integral part of the team. Work in general adult psychiatry allows you to maintain a varied practice, but there are also many opportunities to subspecialise. As such, you could work in a variety of settings and with a huge range of colleagues. Knowledge of psychiatric disorders is developing, as are treatments. General Psychiatry is, therefore, a rapidly changing area of psychiatry and one that will allow significant personal development for those within it. The working hours in general psychiatry often follow a regular Monday-Friday daytime pattern. On call work, especially at associate specialist or consultant level is generally less onerous than other medical and surgical specialties. There are three recognised sub specialties within general adult psychiatry: 1) liaison psychiatry 2) rehabilitation psychiatry 3) substance misuse psychiatry   Old Age Mental illness in older people is increasingly recognised as a major public health issue. Increased life expectancy within the UK has resulted in a growing demand for dedicated old age psychiatry services within the NHS. Dementia care and memory problems are a significant aspect of the work. Depression and other mental health problems common across the spectrum of psychiatric illness including delirium, schizophrenia and personality disorder are also treated. About 50% of the work is non-dementia.   The complexity of interaction between physical, psychiatric and social problems experienced in old age requires close collaboration with a broad range of professionals. There is certainly no typical working day in old age psychiatry.  The work also varies nationally according to the local NHS trust service model. Old age psychiatrists working in a community mental health team often visit patients either in their own homes or residential nursing homes. They may also undertake outpatients’ clinics. Consultants based in hospitals will attend regular ward rounds and may also have outpatient clinics.   Psychotherapy Medical psychotherapy involves sitting in a room with a person or people in mental pain and psychological confusion, conflict and distress and trying to make sense of what is going on. Medical Psychotherapy is unique among the specialties in psychiatry in the sense that it’s not about the type of patient or their particular condition. Within the NHS, medical psychotherapists contribute a psychological and relationship-oriented understanding to other aspects of psychiatric practice, such as the impact of mental illness on patients’ lives and the role of carers and relatives in promoting health and compliance with medication.   Forensic Forensic psychiatrists within the UK work at the interface between the law and psychiatry, managing patients with mental disorders who have been or have the potential to be, violent. Forensic psychiatry is a fascinating and diverse career. You will mainly be treating offenders who have committed crimes when mentally ill or who become unwell in prison. You could also sub-specialise in areas such as forensic learning disability and forensic psychotherapy. With this in mind, you will be expected to work in a range of settings such as high, medium and low secure hospital services, in prisons and community settings. Most forensic mental health services operate from well-equipped, purpose-built modern facilities, but work often involves travelling considerable distances for prison assessments.   Intellectual Disability Also known as learning disability psychiatry, the psychiatry of intellectual disabilities within the NHS involves working with people with learning disabilities, who are much more likely than the general population to experience mental health conditions. Psychiatrists within the NHS will treat severe mental illness as well as a range of other mental health conditions such as autistic spectrum disorders and anxiety disorders. The clinical work is often made more complex and interesting by associated physical problems such as epilepsy and cerebral palsy, along with sensory and communication problems and challenges in accessing services. In this field, you are very likely to be working in a community setting such as a clinic or even someone’s home. The number of patients seen per day can vary according to the post. NHS appointments will be longer than those in mainstream psychiatry, to allow sufficient time to communicate effectively with the patients and their carers.   Specialty Interests In higher training within the NHS, you’ll have the opportunity to develop a special interest, or even an endorsement, in other specialty areas. Such Interests include, but are not limited to, the following. Academic Psychiatry Academic psychiatrists can be from any of the above psychiatric specialties and they split their time between clinical work, research and teaching. The content and split of jobs vary depending on your location and speciality. You might be teaching undergraduates or post-graduates and, as with all roles in Psychiatry, there will be opportunities to take on additional roles. There are many very areas you could research within Psychiatry and your research can reflect your own interests. Eating Disorders Eating disorders psychiatrists need to safely assess and manage medical risk and so need skills in physical medicine as well as an ability to work with different psychological models and therapies (individual and family). It’s a hugely varied and impactful career. You’ll work with acute medical & psychiatric emergencies but also with people with long-term impairments and disabilities to keep them safe, prevent decline and support their quality of life. Neuropsychiatry Neuropsychiatrists work with patients with mental disorders which in most cases originate from a brain malfunction. More than most other types of psychiatry, you’ll spend a lot of time looking at images of the brain and interpreting effects of conditions and treatments. As a Neuropsychiatrist, you are likely to work in a multi-disciplinary setting alongside other Neuroscience clinicians, for example in a general hospital. Rehabilitation and Social Psychiatry Rehabilitation psychiatry focuses on the needs of people with longer term and complex mental health problems. This field involves work with people’s families and social circles to promote integration or reintegration into the local community. Individuals’ values and beliefs must be respected and integrated into treatment plans. Addictions As an addictions psychiatrist, you need a good knowledge of physical health issues along with both psychological and physical treatment approaches. You’re also likely to work with courts, probation services and social and children’s services. The patient may also have a range of physical illnesses caused by their addictions. In short: addiction psychiatry includes a bit of general medicine, quite a bit of general psychiatry, and a lot of psychology. Liaison Psychiatry Liaison psychiatrists work at the interface between physical and psychological health. Providing specialist mental health assessment and treatment for patients attending general hospitals, Liaison Psychiatrists deal with a range of problems including self-harm, adjustment to illness and physical and psychological co-morbidities. Liaison Psychiatrists educate general hospital colleagues to improve their knowledge, skills and confidence in the basics of management of common mental health problems that they encounter in their practice. Perinatal Psychiatry Perinatal psychiatrists treat people at an extremely sensitive period in their lives, around pregnancy and after childbirth. Perinatal services vary across the country but tend to comprise both Mother and Baby Units and specialist community mental health team. Perinatal psychiatrists work in a multidisciplinary team and also closely with health visitors, midwives, general practitioners and obstetricians.   References: RC PSYCH ROYAL COLLEGE OF PSYCHIATRISTS. 2021. Intellectual Disability. [online] Available at: [Accessed 11 January 2021]. Health Careers. 2021. Child And Adolescent Psychiatry. [online] Available at: [Accessed 11 January 2021].

Lancashire County is situated on the North West of England and is famous for its hills, coastal towns and busy urban city centres. The county was established in 1183 and it has a population of 1.460 million. It is home to Preston, Blackpool, Burnley, Blackburn, Morecambe and Ormskirk. The county is situated next to Manchester and Liverpool and so, it offers plenty of scope for commuters. The NHS in Lancashire The Lancashire Teaching Hospital NHS Trust provides a wide range of general hospital services to 370,000 people from the Chorley, South Ribble and Preston areas, and several specialist services to around 1.5 million people from Lancashire and South Cumbria.  They are a regional specialist centre for : Adult Allergy & Clinical Immunology Cancer (including radiotherapy, drug therapies and cancer surgery) Disablement services such as artificial limbs and wheelchairs Major Trauma Neurosurgery and Neurology (brain surgery and nervous system diseases) Renal (kidney diseases) Vascular The Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is made up of a dynamic group of 7000 individuals, who work collaboratively across a range of roles and services. Facts about Lancashire The first motorway in the UK was built around Preston and opened in 1958. Preston is the second biggest bus station in Europe and is now a Grade II listed building. Blackpool is the most popular seaside resort in the UK. The famous Blackpool illuminations have been on display since 1879. The free light show uses over a million bulbs and runs from early August until late November each year. Cost of living in Lancashire Accommodation One-bedroom apartment in the City Centre £516 a month One-bedroom apartment Outside of the City Centre £373 a month Three-bedroom apartment in the City Centre £825 a month Three-bedroom apartment Outside of the City Centre £612 a month Transportation 1L Petrol £1.26 One-way public transport ticket £1.90 Monthly public transport ticket £56.52 5-mile taxi journey £6.50 Entertainment Basic dinner out for two in a neighbourhood pub £21 Two tickets to the cinema £18 Two tickets to the theatre £74 Cappuccino £2.87 1 beer in the neighbourhood pub £3.54 One month of gym membership in business district £36 The time it takes to travel to other UK cities from Lancashire London – 2 hour 11 minutes Birmingham – 1 hour 40 minutes Manchester – 37 minutes Bristol – 3 hours 25 minutes Cardiff – 3 hours 39 minutes Leeds – 1 hour 50 minutes Edinburgh - 2 hours 33 minutes Education in Lancashire Lancashire is home to three universities: Lancaster University, University of Central Lancashire, Edge Hill University and the Lancashire Campus of the University of Cumbria. Lancashire University was ranked the 9th in the UK and the best in the North West in The Complete University Guide 2017 league table. The survey was based on student satisfaction, research quality and intensity, student-staff radio, good honours degrees achieved, graduate prospects and completion. The best things to do in Lancashire Visit Blackpool Pleasure Beach – one of England’s favourite holiday resorts, enjoyed by thousands of visitors every year for its sandy beach and attractions such as Blackpool Tower and Blackpool Sea Life Centre. Visit Morecame Bay Seaside Resort – Famous for its beautiful bay, water sports and entertainment, this area is one of the most important wildlife sites in Europe and the second largest bay in Britain – a haven for birds and marine life. Visit Lancaster Castle – As well as being a fortification, the Castle was also Europe’s longest-serving operational prison until its closure in March 2011. Visit the Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) – It will provide you with dramatic sky, open moorland, lowlands, dry stone walls and picturesque farms and villages. Relocation to Lancashire If you are an international doctor and you need support with relocating to Lancashire or any other UK location, 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 35 videos on everything you need to know about relocating to the UK and joining the NHS! References Numbeo.com. (2019). Cost of Living in Preston. [online] Available at: https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/in/Preston  Zoopla.co.uk. (2019). Moving to Lancashire - Zoopla. [online] Available at: https://www.zoopla.co.uk/discover/buying-area-guides/living-in-lancashire/#HKUsGJfIYxzzMv0t.97  Hospitals, L., 2021. About Us. [online] Lancashire Teaching Hospitals. Available at: <https://www.lancsteachinghospitals.nhs.uk/about> [Accessed 11 January 2021].

This Blog outlines everything you need to know about the MRCP SCE Examination! It is firstly important to note that the Royal College of Physicians SCE certificates are not something that you can use for your GMC registration. However, having an SCE certification on your CV is extremely valuable and will definitely attract prospective NHS employers. Additionally, the SCE certifications will also benefit any Doctor who is planning on becoming a Consultant and progressing through the CESR route.   What are the entry requirements? There are no official entry requirements for the SCE in Acute Medicine. That said, a UK Trainee will normally sit the examination towards the end of their specialty training at around ST5/ST6 level. With this in mind, it is advisable that you take this exam when you are already practicing at a Senior Level or even as a Consultant.   How much is the exam? The cost of the SCE exam if you're in the UK is £665 and if you're sitting it overseas is £883   Where can I sit it? UK: There are 137 different SCE Test Centers within the UK, which applicants choose from when booking the examination. The test centre bookings operate on a first come first serve basis so the RCP recommend booking earlier to get your preferred location. International: Candidates are given a choice of regions from which to select, and are then asked to nominate a particular city in that region as the desired location for their test. You will receive a confirmation of your final test centre via email at least three weeks before the date of the examination.   What is assessed? The exam tests candidates on a wide range of common and important disorders as set out in the syllabus, which can be found on the RCP website here. The SCE in Acute Medicine exam comprises of 200 questions and the composition of the paper is as follows: Topic Number of Questions Cancer and Palliative Care and Haematology 10 Cardiovascular Medicine 20 Clinical Pharmacology and Poisoning 10 Critical Care Medicine 10 Diabetes and Endocrine Medicine 14 Gastroenterology and Hepatology 20 Infectious Diseases 14 Medicine in the Elderly 18 Musculoskeletal system 12 Neurology and Ophthalmology 20 Renal Medicine 10 Respiratory Medicine 20 Others (Allergy/Clinical Genetics/Dermatology/Immunology/Psychiatry/Risk Management/Patient Safety/Public Health) 22   How do I best prepare? Preparation for the SCE requires a wide breadth of knowledge around the curriculum and should involve reading of textbooks, journals and guidelines. Experience of the MRCP(UK) examination provides an excellent background to the format of the examination. The Royal College of Physicians suggest using three main forms of revision: Website, Textbooks and Guidelines. The following list comprises of revision sources recommended by both the RCP and the Society of Acute Medicine. Websites: Joint Royal College of Physicians Training Board: Acute Internal Medicine & Sub-specialty of acute medicine MRCP website: www.mrcpuk.org National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) website: www.nice.org.uk Royal College of Physicians: Acute Medicine Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) website: www.sign.ac.uk Society for Acute Medicine: Document Library Textbooks: Ramrahka, P.; Moore, K. & Sam, A. (2010) “Oxford Handbook of Acute Medicine” Oxford University Press: Oxford Roseveare, C (2009) “Acute Medicine: Clinical Cases Uncovered” Wiley-Blackwell: Chichester Warell, D.; Cox, T. & Firth, J. (2010) “Oxford Textbook of Medicine” Oxford University Press: Oxford Lane N., Powter L., Patel S. (2016) “Best of Five MCQs for the Acute Medicine SCE” Oxford University Press: Oxford Journals: Acute Medicine Journal (Rila) Clinical Medicine Journal (Royal College of Physicians) Journal of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh Documents (PDF) Ahmad Maatouk (2017) Acute Internal Medicine guidelines for SCE- 2017 Joint Royal College of Physicians Training Board (2012) Speciality training curriculum for acute internal medicine MRCP (May 2013) Speciality Certificate in Acute Medicine Sample Questions MRCP (2012) SCE in Acute Medicine Blue Print Nicola Cooper (no date) Recommended reading and courses for acute medicine registrars There are a number of guidelines which may help you in your preparation for the examination which can be found here.   References: Society of Acute Medicine. 2020. Specialty Certificate Examination | Society Of Acute Medicine. [online] Available at: <https://www.acutemedicine.org.uk/specialty-certificate-examination/> [Accessed 23 December 2020]. Mrcpuk.org. 2020. Acute Medicine | MRCPUK. [online] Available at: <https://www.mrcpuk.org/mrcpuk-examinations/specialty-certificate-examinations/specialties/acute-medicine> [Accessed 23 December 2020].

Southampton is located on the South coast of England and it is one of Britain’s greenest cities with over fifty parks to enjoy. Living in Southampton, you will also have access to the famous National Park’s New Forest and the South Downs, all on your doorstep. The city has a population of 919,843 (2019) and it is extremely well connected to the rest of the UK.  The NHS in Southampton The University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust provides services to some 1.9 million people living in Southampton and south Hampshire, plus specialist services such as neurosciences, cardiac services and children's intensive care to more than 3.7 million people in central southern England and the Channel Islands. The Trust is also a major centre for teaching and research in association with the University of Southampton and partners including the Medical Research Council and Wellcome Trust. Every year their 11,500 staff: treat around 150,000 inpatients and day patients, including about 50,000 emergency admissions; see over 624,000 people at outpatient appointments; and deal with around 135,000 cases in the Emergency Department Top Reasons to Relocate to Southampton Perfect location for families – Southampton is a working city, but it also provides an element of relaxation. Inland, you have the beautiful New Forest National Park and just 20 minutes away you can experience the happiest place to live in the UK, Winchester. Because of the high level of visitors to the city, the shopping is excellent and there are 100s of restaurants and entertainment to choose from. The University – Thousands of students relocate from all over the UK to live and study at the University of Southampton. This gives the local economy an annual boost and ensures that Southampton provides a range of arts, music venues and a busy entertainment calendar. The University is also one of the city’s largest employers, drawing academics from around the globe to attend. Offers a good work-life balance – Southampton provides excellent rail, road, air and sea connections, which makes it an excellent place to work if you live in the surrounding rural or countryside areas. Living in Southampton is affordable if you prefer, the average monthly mortgage figure of around £700pcm, which is far below the national average of £1900. Cost of Living Renting Accommodation One-bedroom apartment in the City Centre £702.72 One-bedroom apartment outside of the City Centre £577.50 Three bedrooms in the City Centre £1306.25 Three bedroom Outside of the Centre £1041.67 Transportation One litre of petrol £1.24 Monthly public transport ticket £46 Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 5 miles £13 Entertainment Basic dinner out for two at a neighbourhood pub £29 Two tickets to the cinema £21 Two tickets to the theatre £84 Cappuccino £3.42 One-month gym membership in the business district £26 Where to live in Southampton? If you are looking for a new and modern property, you ought to live in the up and coming Cultural Quarter which is situated close to arts venues and Southampton Solent University. You can choose from townhouses to luxury apartments with views across the River Itchen and the marina. If you want to live in a more family-oriented area, you have the option of Hedge End, which provides good schools, shops and parks. Alternatively, there is Southampton Common which is just a short walk away from Southampton Central Train Station. Travelling to other UK cities from Southampton via Train On average, there are 113 trains each day between Southampton and London Waterloo, with the journey time taking just 1 hour and 20 minutes. Southampton also has its own airport providing flights to both UK destinations and Europe. There are also regular daily ferry crossings to France. London Waterloo – 1 hour 19 minutes Birmingham – 2 hours 31 minutes Manchester – 3 hours 57 minutes Bristol – 1 hour 37 minutes Cardiff – 2 hours 36 minutes Leeds – 4 hours 21 minutes Edinburgh – 6 hours 19 minutes Education in Southampton There are 42 schools and colleges rated “Outstanding” by OFSTED within a 10-mile radius of Southampton. You can find a list of these schools here. In addition to some amazing schools, the City is also home to Southampton University, a research-intensive university and a founding member of the Russell Group. It is a Global top 100 University with around 22,000 enrolled students, including around 14,400 undergraduates and 7,600 postgraduates. Top things to in Southampton Visit the boats – Attend Britain’s biggest boat show, which is held in the city centre every September. There will be entertainment and hundreds of world’s leading sailboats and powerboats to take the water. Go skiing – The Alpine Snowsports Centre will allow you to improve your skills all year round. You can try snowboarding, skiing or have fun on the inflatables and spin down the slopes. Learn to Dive – The Quays is one of the only four High Performance Centres for diving in the UK and several of Team GB’s Olympic divers train here. Visit the Theatre – The Mayflower was built in the 1920’s and it is the South of England’s biggest theatre. You can see a range of performances from West End Musicals, dance performances and operas. Visit St. Michael’s Square – Home to the amazing Tudor House that was built in the late 15th Century for a wealthy merchant family. The house is now a museum that exhibits from the Victorian and Edwardian eras, encompassing more than 900 years of local history. Visit the Sea City Museum – Based in the heart of the city, the Museum tells the story of the people of the city, their lives and the historic connections with the Titanic and the Sea. Relocating to Southampton If you are an international doctor who plans to join the NHS and relocate to Southampton, email your CV to [email protected] and we will be happy to support you throughout your relocation journey. IMG Advisor Are you a member of our Facebook Group IMG Advisor? Here, you will have access to frequent relocation blog posts, the opportunity to ask questions and receive professional guidance and the chance to meet other IMGs. References Schepens | UK & European Removals Specialist | FREE Quote. (2019). Relocating to Southampton | Home & Business Moving to Southampton | Schepens. [online] Available at: https://www.schepens.co.uk/relocating-to-southampton/  Safestore. (2019). Why Southampton is great for job hunters. online] Available at: https://www.safestore.co.uk/blog/2018/02/why-southampton-is-great-for-job-hunters/  Schepens | UK & European Removals Specialist | FREE Quote. (2019). Relocating to Southampton | Home & Business Moving to Southampton | Schepens. online] Available at: https://www.schepens.co.uk/relocating-to-southampton/  Expatistan, cost of living comparisons. (2019). Cost of Living in Southampton, United Kingdom. May 2019 prices in Southampton.. online] Available at: https://www.expatistan.com/cost-of-living/southampton Lastminute.com. (2019). 21 things to do in Southampton - Blog - lastminute.com. online] Available at: https://www.lastminute.com/blog/things-to-do-in-southampton  Southampton.ac.uk. 2021. Global Top 100 University | University Of Southampton. [online] Available at: <https://www.southampton.ac.uk/> [Accessed 4 January 2021]. Uhs.nhs.uk. 2021. About The Trust. [online] Available at: <https://www.uhs.nhs.uk/AboutTheTrust/AboutTheTrust.aspx> [Accessed 4 January 2021].

Whilst Acute Medicine isn’t always recognised as an individual specialism in every healthcare system around the world, in the UK it is one of the most rapidly expanding fields of medicine. This Blog article aims to provide an insight into the benefits of working in Acute Medicine and why you should consider it as a specialty when applying for NHS Jobs!   Who can apply? Due to the fact Acute Medicine is a broad specialty, in terms of the patients and cases it sees, it requires Doctors to maintain a generalist approach. In light of this, it can attract a real breadth of applicants from overseas! A Doctor that’s worked in an Emergency Medicine Department, General medicine setting or even a Critical Care Unit would be applicable for NHS Acute Medicine posts. Given the nature of the work and the environment in which it is conducted, Acute Medicine tends to attract dynamic individuals who enjoy the wide variety of medicine that can be seen on take and the diagnostic challenges that it may pose. Traditionally, those applying for Acute Medicine positions within the NHS, will have passed their Royal College of Physicians examinations – so their MRCP 1, 2 and PACES. Of course, you will also need to have passed either your OET or IELTS.   The 5 main benefits of Working in Acute Medicine Broad exposure to the NHS and differing specialties - The spectrum of clinical problems within Acute Medicine is wide, so trainees become experts in acute aspects of all medical specialties and gain excellent practical procedure skills.   Team Work – Acute Medicine departments work very closely with Emergency Departments, Ambulatory Care Units and General Medicine wards to ensure that patients receive the best care.  Considering this, Acute Medicine physicians are expected to work as part of a large multidisciplinary team; interacting daily with colleagues from the emergency department, critical care and many other medical specialities.   Exciting and Fast Paced – Alongside ED, Acute medicine is one of the most fast paced and exciting specialties to work within in terms of its unpredictable nature. Due to the specialty being so broad, the type of patients you will see and the cases you work on will rarely be exactly the same. Every day will vary, which makes working in Acute Medicine both exciting and challenging.   Lots of Vacancies – One of the most obvious benefits to Working in Acute Medicine or even considering Acute Medicine when applying for NHS jobs, is the simple fact that there are lots of vacancies. NHS Trusts are always in need of more Acute medicine physicians, specifically at ST3 to Consultant level. It is an expanding specialty, meaning that vacancies are continuous.   Range of possible specialty interests – Due to the specialty being so broad, an Acute Medicine Doctor has a large range of possible specialty interests that they can choose to spend more time practicing. One such example, is Ambulatory Care; a form of outpatient care for patients presenting with an acute illness that previously may have required an in-patient stay.   Finding a position: If you’re looking for a career in Acute Medicine then please do get in touch. BDI Resourcing have several roles across the NHS at the moment, mainly from ST3+ through to Consultant level and we would love to hear from you.   References: Society of Acute Medicine. 2020. Training In Acute Medicine | Society Of Acute Medicine. [online] Available at: [Accessed 22 December 2020].

BDI Resourcing had the pleasure of interviewing Acute Medicine Consultant and the past President of the Society of Acute Medicine, Doctor Nick Scriven. In this Interview, Doctor Nick Scriven explains how Acute Medicine differs from General Medicine or ED. He also covers what a typical working day looks like for an Acute Medicine Physician, his own training journey and the different associated subspecialties.   What is Acute Medicine? So in Acute Medicine we look after patients when they come into hospital, acutely, from either A&E or their GP. We tend to look after them for up to the first 48 hours. So we will assess them, stabilize them, then either discharge them or move them onto an appropriate specialist. That's usually any adult who comes in that doesn't need a surgical operation.  Acute Medicine can be as urgent as A&E. Normally around 2 thirds of our patients have been to A&E first and then have moved to us. A third of them will have come from their GP to us. So, we work alongside A&E for anything that's not Trauma, Paediatrics or Surgery.  We also do these extra bits like Ambulatory Care - that's another big part of our work.   At what point in your own career did you decide that you wanted to specialise in Acute Medicine? Well when I was training, Acute Medicine wasn't even a specialty yet! It's only actually been a training specialty for about 10 years. So, when I got my CCT, I did it in General Medicine and Respiratory but I had always enjoyed the Acute take, on-call work. The actual Acute Medicine specialty seemed to be invented in around 2001 - I remember one of the first posts coming out and I immediately thought 'that's interesting!'. It's exactly what I liked - a bit of everything for various amounts of times. It's fast and every day or patient is different. Whilst this may sound fast like A&E, I was always a Medicine Doctor. I chose Acute Medicine as a specialty over working in Emergency Medicine because I'm not the sort of Doctor that wants to fix broken bones or be in Surgeries for long periods of the working day or deal with really big trauma cases.   What sort of patients do you deal with? We see people with pneumonia, chest pains, overdoses, liver disease and all sorts of medical problems from the age of about 16 upwards. We're an important department that links everything together, sitting between A&E and General Medicine.    How did you get where you are today? Firstly, I did my undergraduate training and then did my medical rotations. Following that, I did my MRCP and then applied for a Registrar training program which at the time was Respiratory and and General Medicine. So I did my 5-6 years of that training and then began applying for jobs. The main thing to remember is, you have to have your MRCP to become a Registrar these days.  How difficult did you find the MRCP exams? I actually found the writing bit quite tricky. I failed the first one the first time and then passed the second. The clinical I found a little bit easier.   If an international Doctor doesn't have specific experience in Acute Medicine but has been working in another specialty such as General Medicine or Respiratory, can they enter into the NHS within Acute? Yes of course! The most important thing is to show enthusiasm and the fact that you've looked into the specialty a bit. Most people that have done General Medical training can do Acute Medicine, they just need to have the drive to do it and the want to work in that busy setting.   What does a typical day look like for an Acute Medicine Doctor? Every day is different. It depends on what rota you're on. My typical day, if I'm on the ward would be to come in and initially do a walk round, seeing all the patients on our ward including new patients that have come in during the night and those that were there the day before. That usually takes most of the morning.  Then in the afternoon, a Consultant will usually be there seeing new patients, with the Junior Doctors, as they come in and often you'll be working into the evening quite a lot. You'll often be doing routine shifts up until 7pm / 8pm at night. Other days you may be rota'd to do an Ambulatory Care Session where you'll go to the Ambulatory Care Unit and work in there. Some other days, you may be working general outpatient clinics, follow ups or maybe even another specialty interest. For example, I still do a Respiratory Clinic.    Can you subspecialise? Now a days, more and more people train specifically in Acute Medicine. There are areas within Acute Medicine that people do subspecialise in. Some Doctors will subspecialise in the more invasive Intensive Care side of it, whilst others may specialise more in the Ambulatory Care end of it. Some may subspecialise in Respiratory Support.   What is the Society for Acute Medicine (SAM)? It's been around since 2001 and is a Multidisciplinary society; in that any healthcare professional working within Acute Medicine can join it. We're about 75% Doctors and 25% non-Doctors. The latter includes Nurses, Physios, Pharmacists and Advanced Care Practitioners. We represent all those people that work in Acute Medical Units. We've currently got around 1000 members and are a growing influence in that we are regularly asked by the NHS for our views on certain things.  In general, SAM's goal is to promote best practice within our specialty in terms of patient care and things like career development for our specialists. We also provide advice on how to best train within Acute Medicine.  In a normal year we hold 2 conferences. One of them will be a very clinical based conferences whereby we discuss clinical advances and the other one will have a more political base.  We also have our own journal and magazine, which is recommended as reading material for any Doctor looking to sit the MRCP SCE Acute Examination.   Do you have any advice for international Doctors looking to work within Acute Medicine within the NHS? I suppose, you don't really know what it's like until you've experienced it. Come and observe, come and see what's going on! Especially with Acute Medicine as it may not exist in many Doctors home countries. There's only so much reading and research you can do.  

Oxford is located in what is known as the Heart of England and home to the world-renowned, University of Oxford. The city is found in the county of Oxfordshire, located just 50 miles to the North-West of London and it is a city full of history and heritage, exquisite architecture and magnificent museums. Approximately, there are 154,000 people living within Oxford with a fairly young demographic because of its large student population. Oxford has an excellent tourist trade due to its historic architecture – attracting over nine million people per year. In fact, Oxford is the seventh most visited city in the UK. The NHS in Oxford The Oxford University Hospitals (OUH) is a world renowned centre of clinical excellence and one of the largest NHS teaching trusts in the UK.  The Trust is made up of four hospitals - the John Radcliffe Hospital (which includes the Children's Hospital, West Wing, Eye Hospital, Heart Centre and Women's Centre), the Churchill Hospital and the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre, all located in Oxford, and the Horton General Hospital in Banbury, north Oxfordshire. They provide a wide range of clinical services, specialist services (including cardiac, cancer, musculoskeletal and neurological rehabilitation) medical education, training and research. Facts about Oxford 1. Did you know that The University of Oxford is roughly 923 years old, making it the second oldest University in the world. It is beaten in age by the University of Bologna which is around 931 years old. However, in terms of rankings, it has been ranked first in the world in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings for 2017, 2018 and 2019. 2 Oxford has more published authors per square mile than anywhere else in the world! Famous authors include JRR Tolkien (The Lord of the Rings), Lewis Carroll (Alice in Wonderland) and CS Lewis (The Chronicles of Narnia). ­­Average Monthly Living Expenses Housing One bedroom flat in City Centre £850+ One bedroom flat outside of the City Centre £650+ Three bedroom flat in the City Centre £1500+ Three bedroom flat outside of the City Centre £1250+ Internet 8Mbps (one month) £25   Tips on how to save money on accommodation in Oxford 1. Share a flat or a house – Oxford has a large selection of property to choose from. With a house share, you will have your own room and typically the bathroom and kitchen will be shared with other people. Visit Oxford’s SpareRoom, Easy Room Mate or Gumtree for a look at what is currently available on the property market. 2. Choose your area carefully – Botley and Cuttesloew are family friendly areas, easily accessible to the city centre by bus or car. East Oxford is ethnically diverse and has a vibrant arts and culture scene. Grandpont and Summertown are upmarket areas which are often popular with professionals, academics, London commuters and families who want access to excellent schools in the area. Entertainment Basic dinner out for two in a neighbourhood pub £34 Two tickets to the movies £21 Two tickets to the theatre (best seats) £87 Cappuccino £2.66 A pint of beer in a neighbourhood pub £4.24 One month of gym membership in a business district £40   Transportation 1L of petrol £1.25 Monthly bus ticket £54 Taxi trip on a business day, 5 miles £25 Travelling to other UK cities from Oxford via Train London Marylebone – 1 hour 5 minutes Birmingham New Street – 1 hour 3 minutes Manchester Piccadilly – 2 hours 44 minutes Bristol Temple Meads – 1 hour 36 minutes Cardiff Central – 1 hour 45 minutes Leeds – 3 hours 21 minutes Edinburgh – 5 hours 55 minutes Where is Oxford’s nearest airport? London Heathrow is the nearest international airport to Oxford, just an hour and a half away by train or one hour by car. The second nearest international airport is London Gatwick or London Luton, both around two hours fifteen minutes away. The best things to do in Oxford 1. Visit the University Oxford University is made up of 38 independent colleges, including the beautiful Christ Church and the buildings can be found all over the city. 2. Visit Blenheim Palace A UNESCO World Heritage Site that possesses stunning Baroque architecture and over 2,000 acres of landscaped parkland. 3. Take a River Cruise A boat tour or punt down the River Cherwell or River Thames is a fantastic opportunity to see the city from a different perspective. Relocating to Oxford If you are an IMG who needs support in relocating to Oxford or another area of the UK and securing your first NHS post, send your CV to [email protected] and we look forward to helping you. Are you a member of IMG Advisor? By joining, you will gain access to frequent relocation blog posts, the opportunity to ask questions and receive professional support and the chance to meet some other IMGs! References Trust, C., 2020. About Us - Oxford University Hospitals. [online] Ouh.nhs.uk. Available at: <https://www.ouh.nhs.uk/about/> [Accessed 21 December 2020]. Internations.org. (2020). Moving to Oxford. [online] Available at: https://www.internations.org/oxford-expats/guide/moving-to-oxford-17534  Summer Boarding Courses. (2019). 25 Fascinating Facts About Oxford You Need To Know. [online] Available at: https://www.summerboardingcourses.co.uk/blog/fascinating-facts-about-oxford/ Expatistan, cost of living comparisons. (2020). Cost of Living in Oxford, United Kingdom. Mar 2019 prices in Oxford.. [online] Available at: https://www.expatistan.com/cost-of-living/oxford  MoverDB.com. (2020). Moving to Oxford? 2018 Living Costs & Relocation Tips. [online] Available at: https://moverdb.com/moving-to-oxford/

  Whilst Geriatrics or Care of the Elderly aren't always recognised as individual specialisms in every healthcare system around the world, in the UK they are treated individually. In actual fact, Geriatrics is the largest medical specialty within the NHS. The specialty itself is exciting and rapidly growing – concerned with all aspects of health and illness in older adults. As an international recruitment agency, we often find that there are many misconceptions surrounding the specialty – the most prominent being that it mostly deals with ‘end of life’ care. This is not true! In fact, the palliative care work only counts for around 10% of a Geriatricians workload. This Blog article aims to provide an insight into the benefits of working in Geriatrics and why you should consider it as a specialty when applying for NHS Jobs!   Who can apply? Due to the fact Geriatrics is a broad specialty, it requires Doctors to maintain a generalist approach. In light of this, a Doctor that's worked in a General Medicine setting would be applicable for a Geriatrics role and particularly if you've had exposure in things like Falls, Neurology, Parkinson's or Stroke. Any of the elderly care related specialisms would be applicable. Of course, if you do come from one of the few countries that have geriatrics or care of the elderly recognised as its own individual specialism then obviously that's going to put you in great stead. Additionally, if you’ve worked in a Hospital where you have dealt with lots of elderly patients but not specifically in ‘Care of the Elderly’, you would also be a suitable applicant.   The 7 main benefits of Working in Geriatrics 1.Great Introduction and Broad Exposure to NHS - Care of the Elderly Medicine is very broad in terms of the differential patients you will treat. You will be working with patients with a variety of medical issues and thus you will be working with all of the bodies internal/external systems. Considering this, working as a Geriatrician within the NHS will give you a great exposure to a variety of different medical specialties   2. Rewarding – One of the most common things we hear from Geriatricians is that their work is extremely rewarding. To be able to find what’s wrong with an older person when they become confused or start presenting symptoms of delirium, is something that many Doctors find challenging and thus immensely rewarding.   3. Team Work - Geriatricians work in a multidisciplinary team. They work with a variety of other Doctors and Healthcare workers such as nurses, occupational therapists, social workers – it’s a real team approach.   4. Acute/General Med on-calls – If you’re working as a Geriatrician within the NHS, you will normally partake in Acute or General Medicine on calls. This means that you will also get the experience of working in different wards and faster paced environments. If Acute Medicine or even General Medicine is something you are aiming for, then Geriatrics is the perfect stepping stone!   5. Variety of subspecialty interests - Geriatricians can be super specialized and has the choice of picking an interest such as Eating Disorders, Parkinson’s disease, Stroke, Falls and Osteoporosis. There’s also community-based Geriatrics which is the treatment of people in care homes. There’s also front door Geriatrics where you’d be based in the Emergency Department specifically dealing with Elderly patients. Geriatrics is a very varied specialty with huge expansion and subspecialising options. Many Doctors become a General Geriatrician and subspecialise afterwards.   6. Excellent Training and Teaching Opportunities - Because of the nature of the work, you'll often get far more guidance than you would from Consultants who are really busy in an ED or Acute Med type of setting. So, working in Geriatrics can be a good opportunity for junior Doctors to get good exposure to the kind of training that they need if their future plans are to apply to training or CESR of course.   7.Lots of jobs – One of the most obvious benefits of Geriatrics is that there are lots of openings and opportunities within the specialty! It is an expanding specialty, meaning that vacancies are continuous.   Jobs If you’re looking for a career in Geriatrics then please do get in touch. BDI Resourcing have several roles across the NHS at the moment, mainly from ST3+ through to Consultant level and we would love to hear from you.

Brighton is famous for its pebbled beach, independent shops, Regency architecture and the best bit? It is just an hour away from London! The city is located on the south coast of England, it has a population of 606, 906 (2020) and it has been labelled the UK’s “hippest city” and the “happiest place to live in the UK”. The Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals (BSUH) NHS Trust is an acute teaching hospital working across two main sites: Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath. The Brighton campus includes the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital and the Sussex Eye Hospital and is also the Major Trauma Centre for the region. What we do Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals (BSUH) is an acute teaching hospital working across two main sites: Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath. The Brighton campus includes the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital and the Sussex Eye Hospital and is also the Major Trauma Centre for the region. The Trust provides district general hospital services to the local populations in and around the Brighton and Hove, Mid Sussex and the western part of East Sussex and more specialised and tertiary services for patients across Sussex and the south east of England. Central to the Trusts ambition is their role as an academic centre, a provider of high quality teaching, and a host hospital for cutting edge research and innovation.  Facts about Brighton 1. Brighton is home to Britain’s oldest cinema. 2. Brighton’s Sea Life Centre is the world’s oldest aquarium – with over 100 species, including sharks and stingrays. 3. Brighton has tunnels beneath the city – The tunnels were dug so Prince Regent could move about Brighton without people seeing how overweight he had become. 4. Brighton’s famous Royal Pavilion was used as a military hospital for Indian soldiers during World War One. 5. Brighton’s Marina is one of the largest in Europe with space for around 2000 boats. Average Cost of Living Housing One-bedroom apartment in the City Centre £953.33 One-bedroom apartment outside of the City Centre £809.25 Three-bedroom apartment in the City Centre £1,717.50 Three-bedroom apartment in the City Centre £1,375.00 Transportation 1 litre of petrol £1.24 Monthly public transport ticket £67 Taxi trip (5 miles) £17 Entertainment Basic dinner out for two in the local pub £29 Two tickets to the cinema £19 Two tickets to the theatre £106 Cappuccino £2.75 A pint of beer £4.48 Monthly gym membership £34 Travelling to other UK cities from Brighton via Train London Victoria – 55 minutes Birmingham – 2 hours 38 minutes Manchester – 3 hours 32 minutes Bristol – 3 hours 18 minutes Cardiff – 3 hours 50 minutes Leeds – 3 hours 46 minutes Edinburgh - 5 hours 49 minutes Where is Brighton’s nearest airport? The advantage of living in Brighton is that all major London airports are easily accessible. London Gatwick is only a 30-minute journey by train, just 22 miles away from the city. London Heathrow Airport is situated just 46 miles from Brighton and located west of Central London and is a 90-minute journey from Brighton. Other nearby airports include London City, London Stansted and London Luton. Schools Brighton has 11 Ofsted “Outstanding” rated schools within a 10-mile radius of the city. You can compare schools and college performance on the Government website here. The Best things to do in Brighton 1. Take a trip up the British Airways i360 – With the same designers as the London Eye, going up the i3060 will provide you with amazing views of Brighton’s skyline overlooking the iconic seafront. 2. Stroll along Brighton Palace Pier – Brighton has an 8-mile long seafront full of bars, restaurants, live music and ice cream parlours! 3. Visit the Royal Pavilion – The Palace was built in the 19th Century and has been named as one of Britain’s most spectacular buildings, built by Prince Regent, George IV. 4. Visit the famous North Laines – This area of the city is full of over 300 bespoke cafes, restaurants and boutique shops! North Laines is known as “the place where you can find anything”. Relocating to Brighton  If you are an IMG who needs support in relocating to Brighton or another area of the UK and securing your first NHS post, send your CV to [email protected] and we look forward to helping you. Are you a member of IMG Advisor? By joining, you will gain access to frequent relocation blog posts, the opportunity to ask questions and receive professional support and the chance to meet some other IMGs! References Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust. 2020. What We Do - Brighton And Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust. [online] Available at: <https://www.bsuh.nhs.uk/about-us/who-we-are/what-we-do/> [Accessed 7 December 2020]. House Beautiful. (2020). This is the happiest city in the UK, according to a new study. [online] Available at: https://www.housebeautiful.com/uk/lifestyle/news/a2433/brighton-hove-happiest-city-uk/ Dickinson, G. (2020). Is Brighton really the world's most hipster city?. [online] The Telegraph. Available at: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/comment/most-hipster-cities-brighton-city/  Kings Education. (2019). 10 fun facts about Brighton. [online] Available at: https://www.kingseducation.com/kings-life/2016/06/28/10-fun-facts-about-brighton/ [Accessed 8 Apr. 2019]. Burt Brill & Cardens Solicitors. (2020). 10 Facts About Brighton | Burt Brill & Cardens. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc-law.co.uk/legal-news/facts-about-brighton/ Expatistan, cost of living comparisons. (2019). Cost of Living in Brighton and Hove, United Kingdom. Apr 2019 prices in Brighton and Hove.. [online] Available at: https://www.expatistan.com/cost-of-living/brighton-and-hove 

BDI Resourcing had the delight of speaking with Dr Ayesha Azam, a FRCPath International Mentor and Digital Pathology Research Fellow at University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire (UHCW). We wanted to hear about her own experience with FRCPath and her advice for International Medical Graduates on how to revise.   Why did you decide to become a Pathologist? I was attracted to histopathology as a career option during the early stages of my foundation training. I was fascinated by the tremendous impact these tiny tissue sections on a piece of glass have on the diagnosis and treatment of patients. I liked the problem solving aspect as well as the diversity of the work involved.   What advice would you give to an international Doctor working towards their FRCPath? Preparing for this exam is a long-term process so start preparing well in advance. Individuals can have different circumstances and approach towards any medical exam, however, this exam is not something that you can pass with ‘cramming’. Check the curriculum for histopathology trainees on RCPath website that outlines the knowledge, skills and minimum experience required by the UK specialty trainees. Join the social media discussion groups relevant to FRCPath to get guidance and advice from those who have recently passed this exam. Having sufficient knowledge, skills and experience are crucial, however, you need to apply this knowledge in the context of UK practice. Familiarize yourself with the rules and regulations in NHS systems and RCPath’s cancer datasets and tissue pathways. It is important to remember that autopsy and gynaecological cytology are not included in the FRCPath part 2 exam and can be taken separately. For overseas candidates who do not have any experience of working in the UK, a clinical attachment can be very helpful option to observe and learn about local practice protocols. However, in the current pandemic situation this might not be feasible to arrange. The next thing that you can do is either get informal advice from UK based pathologists or sign up to International Trainee Support Scheme (ITSS) programme by RCPath. Over the last few years. I have been approached by few overseas pathologists over social media to participate inwebinars/online lectures on ‘FRCPath for Overseas’ and the feedback from the attendees has been really encouraging. I have seen lots of online international webinars (e.g. from RCPAth and CAP) and these can add valuable boost to your preparation. Attending relevant exam preparatory courses (either UK based or online) can be extremely beneficial to gain good understanding of what does this exam involve and how to approach each component. So explore your options with the key focus on learning about the UK pathology practice and combine it with your experience and knowledge to gain the required competencies. To sum it up all ‘plan ahead, speak to those who has recently passed the exam, make use of online resources, prepare well and give it your best shot’   How long did it take you to pass your full FRCPath? I was in a run-through specialty training program in the UK where we progress through well-structured 4 different stages (A, B, C and D). I completed my part 1 exam soon after completing first 12 months of training (Early stage B) and passed part two in my fourth year of training (Stage C).   How did you prepare? The things that helped me most were a detailed study plan, gaining exposure to lots of routine cases, guidance from my colleagues/mentors and attending preparatory courses.   Which parts did you find most challenging? I think cytology and short surgical components can be more challenging and that’s what I keep hearing from overseas FRCPath candidates who I mentored as part of RCPath’s ITSS programme.    Can you tell us about your own journey to the UK and what advice you would have for others? I moved to UK about 14 years back, at a rather early stage of my career. I completed IELTS, PLAB and UKFPO assessment to secure a foundation training post in West Midlands. Afterwards, I successfully qualified for a run-through specialty training post and now I am in the final few months of completion of my training. From my personal experience, I understand how it can feel to try and learn about a completely different system. People say ‘Pathology is global’, it truly is. So the pathology knowledge remains the same whichever country you have been trained in. The real difference is in the variations in practice and protocols that are relatively unique to each health system. I went an extra mile during my foundation training to get myself familiarized with the local practice protocols and I would give the same advice to overseas FRCPath candidates to put great emphasis on learning the practice protocols used in UK. Relocating to the UK If you are an international Histopathologist who would like to relocate to the UK, 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.  

On the 31 December 2020, the Brexit transition period will end. This follows the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union (EU). In light of this, we are due to witness some changes with both the Visa Systems and the requirements for GMC Registration. The New Visa System Yesterday, the 1st December 2020 marked the first day of the new skilled worker visa (which incorporates the recently changed Health and Care Visa). A Skilled Worker visa allows you to come to or stay in the UK to do an eligible job with an approved employer (i.e NHS Trust). This visa has replaced the Tier 2 (General) work visa. To view the full guidance visit the UKVI Government website here. When making your application to the new skilled worker visa, you’ll be asked if you are applying for a Health and Care Visa as part of your application – make sure you choose ‘yes’. Upon choosing this route the main applicant and dependants will be granted the reduced fees and free associated with the existing Health and Care Visa route. Those with COS’s issued before the 1st December 2020 will need to request a sponsor note to mention that they are eligible for the new visa route. NHS employers are classed as an A-rated sponsor and will be automatically transitioned to the new licence required to issue certificates of sponsorship under the new skilled worker route GMC Changes Until now, EU medical degrees have been recognised as equivalent to UK qualifications and therefore no PLAB or post-graduate qualification required (just IELTS or OET).  However as of the 1st January 2021 the GMC registration process for some doctors with non-UK qualifications will change. Nationals from the European Economic Area (EEA) will no longer benefit from automatic recognition of professional qualifications. Whilst we are currently unsure whether this will mean EU Doctors now need to apply for a Royal College qualifications, if new qualifications will be recognised or whether an examination will be introduced, we will certainly update you with the new guidance when it is released. The GMC have stated that the changes will be announced in a step by step guide in January 2021. It is important to note that BREXIT will not affect non-EEA nationals with non-EEA Qualifications. The route to GMC Registration for these doctors will remain the same.   References: Gmc-uk.org. 2020. Brexit – Information For Doctors. [online] Available at: <https://www.gmc-uk.org/news/news-archive/brexit---information-for-doctors> [Accessed 1 December 2020].  GOV.UK. 2020. Skilled Worker Visa. [online] Available at: <https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/if-you-work-in-healthcare-or-education> [Accessed 1 December 2020].