Once you are settled in your new home and job, you may wish to send money back to your home country to help care for relatives or as a gift, but it can seem daunting trying to decide which method is best for your situation. In this article, we outline the ways in which you can transfer money overseas from the UK, what to be aware of, and which method will be most beneficial to you. It is important to note that we are not financial advisors and this article is a guide. We would always recommend that you consult a professional for further information.   Things to Consider Before you decide which method you wish to utilise to transfer money abroad, some important things to consider to help you make a decision are why you wish to send money abroad, how much you are intending to send, and how frequently you wish to do this. These are important questions to ask, as each method of transferring money will have its pros and cons, and these factors can help you narrow down which system will be best for you. We will outline which method is best for individual situations later in this article. Another thing to be aware of is exchange rates and fees. Certain methods will offer you better exchange rates and value for the money you are sending, and some methods may charge you a fee to transfer the money abroad for you. As we explain each method, we will outline the fees and exchange rates associated with each.   Methods of Transferring Money Abroad There are three main methods of transferring money from the UK to overseas accounts. These methods are: Bank Transfer Money Transferring Firms Foreign Exchange Brokers We will go into detail about the pros and cons of each of these.   Bank Transfer Bank transfers are considered to be the best option for transferring regular mid-range payments overseas, such as transferring money to parents or other family members overseas on a weekly or monthly basis. This is because bank transfer is considered to be the safest and most reliable option for safeguarding your money, and also the easiest way to set up a recurring payment. Unfortunately, whilst it is the most secure and often convenient method for long-term payments, the downsides are that the exchange rate will often not be particularly competitive, so you may not get the best value for your money. As well as that, it is likely that there will be fees involved with transferring money overseas, unless the bank you are transferring money to overseas is linked with the UK branch. Some branches have sister banks overseas, in this case, there are often no, or lower charges involved, though often for this to be approved, the bank account overseas must be in the same name as the bank account you are sending money from. The Money Saving Expert website offers some helpful advice on which bank is most beneficial for different countries, you can read more here. Pros It is the safest method of transferring money overseas It is the best method for small to mid-range regular payments Easy to set up regular transactions Most banks allow you to set up transactions online, over the phone or in your local bank, this may vary from bank to bank. You have protections of the Financial Services Compensation Scheme if you transfer money via a UK bank or building society – this will protect your money if something happens to the bank. Some banks allow free transfers between linked banks – both accounts may need to be in the same name, this will depend on the bank. Most banks have 24/7 online banking to allow you to transfer money whenever you need to. Some banks will allow you to transfer up to £50,000 in one transaction, but this will vary depending on the bank and method you are using, and some banks may have daily limits for safety reasons. Some banks do not charge fees if you are transferring money within the European Economic Area (EEA). Cons It is not the cheapest The exchange rate may not be the best, particularly large amounts over £5000 The exchange rate is often set in-house It could take 4-6 days for the bank transfer to process Rates won’t be competitive There are often fees for transferring money abroad, Barclays bank reportedly currently charges £25 for an international transfer and £40 for a fast transfer, or £15 if you set this payment up online.   How to set up a payment This will vary depending on your bank, but you will, of course, need a UK bank account to transfer money from, and your recipient will need an overseas account to receive the payment. As previously mentioned, ideally, they will have a linked account to save on fees, but as long as they have a bank account, they should be able to receive payment. Each bank’s requirements may vary slightly, but HSBC states that in order to make an overseas transfer, you will need: Your account details The name and address of your beneficiary The beneficiary’s bank code (this is also called a Business or Branch Identifier Code (BIC)) you can usually find this on bank statements. The beneficiary’s International Bank Account Number (IBAN) or account number – An IBAN is a set of alphanumeric characters, but depending on the beneficiary’s account, they may not have an IBAN, and may only hold an account number. These can usually be found on bank statements. The country of your beneficiary’s bank account The amount you wish to pay them Any reference you want included with the payment Your reason for making the payment These are HSBC’s current fees for transferring money overseas as well, please note that this will again vary from bank to bank, and this is only to give you an idea of how fees operate. Payment Type Online Branch Phone Postal HSBC to HSBC £0 £0 £0 £17 Euros outside EEA or any other currency outside of UK or any foreign currency (other than Euros) in the UK £4 £9 £9 £17 Euros within EEA £0 £0 £0 £17   Banks you Can Use Here are some banks that offer international transfers, we advise you to do your own research to decide which one will be best for your situation. HSBC Santander Royal Bank of Scotland   Money Transferring Firms Transferring firms are often considered to be the best option for fast, one-off payments, for example, if you wish to send money as a gift, and as these firms exist for the purpose of transferring money abroad, they have great systems in place for doing this quickly and efficiently. It is important to be aware that there are no compensation schemes in place to protect your money if the company went bust, so it is riskier than transferring money via your bank, but that said, some of the other benefits outweigh the negatives for many people. A final positive thing to mention about this method is that you aren’t restricted to simply transferring money to a bank account, whilst this is an option, it is also possible to send money to the recipient’s phone, or to a safe location for them to collect the money in person, depending on the country you are transferring to. Some recommended that you don’t send more than £5000 via a money transferring firm.   Pros Great option for fast transfers Exchange rates vary, but this can sometimes be beneficial. Some firms do not currently charge for transactions within the EU. Best option for small amounts of money. You can send money directly to an account, to their mobile or for cash pick-up. You can pay via your bank account, or via credit or debit cards including Visa, MasterCard, Maestro and Visa Electron. You are able to transfer money 24/7, though if you opt for pick up, the recipient may not receive it as quickly depending on the time difference. You may be able to send up to £50,000 in one transaction with some firms if you have satisfied their identity checks. Transfers can generally be made online or over the phone. Cons Fees are sometimes higher than they are with banks. There is protection with firms than you would have with a bank. It can take 2-4 days at most. It can take a few days to verify your account upon first signing up. It is recommended that you do not send more than £5000 via this method.   How to set up a Payment In order to make a payment with a firm, you will generally need to sign up with their website and create an account and also have your address verified, this can take a few days, so the initial set up can take some extra time. Once your account is verified, you can choose whether you wish to send money via your bank account or a debit or credit card, after which you may select the country you wish to transfer money to. Once you have selected a country, they will then be able to suggest different ways the beneficiary can receive the money, whether you wish to transfer it to their bank account, mobile phone or to a location for pick up. Please note that not all countries will offer all of these options. Once you have sent the money, you will be advised how long it will take for the recipient to receive the payment, though sometimes this will not include the length of the processing time. This is still a faster method than transferring money via your bank though. With the money transferring firm, Western Union, if you opt to send money for pick up, your recipient will be able to pick up the cash from a Western Union location, though when they can collect the money will depend on the location’s hours of operation, so it is important to bear this in mind if you need to send money urgently. Western Union also offers mobile transfer, again, other firms may not offer this, and it will be dependent on the country. If a country does accept this form of transfer, this can be an incredibly fast method of sending money, with Western Union claiming you can transfer money to the recipient’s mobile in minutes. You will need to ensure that the beneficiary has activated their mobile wallet with one of Western Union’s partner mobile operators in that country. At most, your recipient will receive the money within 2 days with this method. Finally, if you’re sending the money to the beneficiary’s bank account, it will likely take two working days at most for them to receive it. That said, Western Union does offer a faster service which you can find out about here. Western Union also stipulates that if you wish to send more than £799.99 within a five-day period, you will first need to confirm your identity with them, after that, they will allow you to send up to £4000 within a three-day period, and up to £50,000 per transfer with their faster payment option, though this may vary from firm to firm.   Money Transferring Firms you Can Use Western Union Azimo TransferWise   Foreign Exchange Brokers Foreign exchange brokers are said to be the best for large, one-off payments above £3000. It is suggested that they are great for payments for overseas mortgages or large purchases. They are also great because there are often no fees, or very low fees, particularly on large amounts of money, and their exchange rates tend to me more competitive than those of banks or money transferring firms, giving you the best value for money if you intend to send a lot of cash in one transaction.    Pros Good for large payments. No charge or low fees for transfers above £3000. Exchange rates are highly competitive. If you are making regular transfers, they may be able to lock you into a set exchange arrangement over a certain period of time, usually a year. Can be faster than transferring money via bank. Generally, offer a bank transfer or cash pick-up. You can manage payments 24/7. Payment generally arrives within 1-2 days. You can opt for priority payment to speed up this process. Transfers can usually be made online or over the phone. Cons They offer less protection than banks, so take care, particularly when transferring large amounts. It’s not worth the cost if you are sending amounts under £1000. Be aware of changes to the exchange rates – they can have a huge impact on the value of large amounts of money.   How to set up a Payment Sending money via this route is straightforward. You will need to open an online account, which is usually free to do, and will generally need to verify your identity during this process. Depending on the brokers, you will then state how much money you wish to transfer, and they will try to secure you the best exchange rate. Once they have offered you a rate and you have confirmed that you are happy and send them the funds to transfer, provide them with the details of your recipient’s bank account and they will process the payment and send it to the beneficiary. You will then receive a confirmation once the payment has been transferred. They generally accept money via bank accounts or debit or credit cards including Visa, Master Card and Maestro. Some brokers state that money can be transferred within a few minutes to a few days, like with previous methods, this will vary depending on the country and broker.   Foreign Exchange Brokers Currencies Direct Global Reach Moneycorp   Things to Note With all three of these options, it is important to note that your recipient may be charged to receive or collect the money you have sent. Sometimes, you can opt to pay these charges yourself, but it will be dependent on the company or bank. Registered or Authorised? As previously mentioned, transferring money via a bank is the safest method, as if anything happens to that bank, your money will be safe. This may not be the same with some firms and brokers. When researching firms and brokers you will see that all UK services will be registered or authorized by the Financial Conduct Authority. This is incredibly important to understand as it will give you some insight into how well protected your money will be if a firm or broker goes bust. Being authorised means that a firm or broker MUST keep your money separate from the company’s own money and accounts, meaning that if something happens and the company goes under, your money should be recoverable. If a broker or firm is registered, the directors of the company need only prove that their business is based in the UK and that they have no past financial criminal convictions, which means your money may not be kept separate from the company’s own accounts and funds, therefore, making it less easily identifiable, and less easily retrievable if the company goes bust. It is also important to be aware that unless they state otherwise on their website, some brokers and firms will not be covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. This means that if a company goes under and does not have the funds to pay you back, you will not be able to claim for compensation under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. So where possible, we would strongly advise ensuring that a firm or broker is covered.   Finally, it is important to note that we are not financial advisors, and this article is merely a guide. Please consult a professional for further information.   Relocation to the UK If you are an international doctor who has decided that you would like our support in securing an NHS service post, email your CV to [email protected] and we can support you in securing an NHS job and on your relocation journey. Are you a member of our Facebook group? When you join IMG Advisor, you will join a community of doctors all looking to join the NHS and relocate to the UK. We post a series of blog and vlogs to the group every day. We will also be on hand to answer all your relocation queries. Subscribe to our YouTube channel! We have over 60 videos covering 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 listen to us on Apple Podcasts, 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 Hsbc.co.uk. (2020). Currency Transfer - Send Money Abroad | HSBC UK. [online] Available at: https://www.hsbc.co.uk/international/money-transfer/ [Accessed 27 Jan. 2020]. Westernunion.com. (2020). How to send money abroad from £0 fee | Western Union UK. [online] Available at: https://www.westernunion.com/gb/en/send-money-abroad.html [Accessed 27 Jan. 2020]. Postoffice.co.uk. (2020). International Money Transfer | International Payments | Post Office. [online] Available at: https://www.postoffice.co.uk/international-money-transfer [Accessed 27 Jan. 2020]. Meadows, S. (2020). International money transfers: what is the safest way to send money abroad?. [online] The Telegraph. Available at: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/consumer-affairs/international-money-transfers-safest-way-send-money-abroad/ [Accessed 27 Jan. 2020]. MoneySavingExpert.com. (2020). Sending Money Abroad. [online] Available at: https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/banking/foreign-currency-exchange/ [Accessed 27 Jan. 2020]. The Telegraph. (2020). The cheapest way to send money abroad. [online] Available at: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/transferwise/the-cheapest-way-to-send-money-abroad/ [Accessed 27 Jan. 2020].

Wakefield is a Cathedral City in the Wakefield district of West Yorkshire with an estimated population of 345,038. Located on the River Calder and the eastern edge of the Pennines, Wakefield is a historic City full of diversity and picturesque landscapes. The City, just a short 20 minute journey South from Leeds, is increasingly popular with families and workers commuting in and out. The Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust provides acute hospital services to more than half a million people living in the Wakefield and North Kirklees districts of West Yorkshire, running across three main sites at Pinderfields, Dewsbury and Pontefract. Pinderfields Hospital in Wakefield, is the main centre for people who are seriously ill. It is a designated Major Trauma Unit, where urgent and emergency surgery is carried out and has a helicopter landing site close to the Emergency Department. The hospital is also home to the Yorkshire Regional Spinal Injuries Centre (YRSIC), one of 12 specialist spinal injury centres in the United Kingdom. With more than 8,000 staff the NHS Trust provides high quality healthcare services in and around their hospitals. Facts About Wakefield In 2014, Wakefield was named the third happiest City in Yorkshire. The long-running ITV detective series A Touch of Frost (1992-2010) was largely shot in Wakefield By the River Calder, the Chantry Chapel is one of the last four remaining medieval crossing churches in the UK and can be found at the side of the modern day Wakefield Bridge. Singer, actress and TV personality Jane McDonald is from Wakefield. Wakefield Cathedral spire stands at 247feet making it the tallest church in Yorkshire to date and a key part of Wakefield’s skyline   Cost of Living in Wakefield Cost of Renting Accommodation per month One-Bedroom Apartment in the City Centre £488.33 One-Bedroom Apartment outside of the City Centre £437.58 Three-Bedroom Apartment in the City Centre £655.00 Three-Bedroom Apartment outside of the City Centre £629.17   Transportation 1ltr Petrol £1.31 One-Way Public Transport Ticket £3.50 Monthly Public Transport Ticket £62.50 1km Taxi Journey £0.87     Entertainment Meal out for two in a local pub £30.00 Meal out for two in a mid-range restaurant, 3 courses £50.00 Cinema tickets for two people £21.00 One-month gym membership £31.67 Tennis court rental for 1 hour on the weekend £12.50 Beer 0.5ltr bottle £3.00 Coke/Pepsi 0.33ltr bottle £1.35 Cappuccino £2.40     Time it Takes to Travel by Train from Wakefield to Cities in the UK: City Time it Takes to Travel London 2 Hour 3 Minutes Bristol 3 Hours 22 Minutes Cardiff 4 Hours 4 Minutes Manchester 1 Hour 21 Minutes Newcastle 1 Hour 45 Minutes Birmingham 1 Hour 43 Minutes Liverpool 2 Hours Edinburgh 3 Hours 19 Minutes     Education in Wakefield: According to the information available on the government website, Wakefield has is access to 124 Primary Schools and a further 33 Secondary Schools. To find out more information about term dates, applications, standards, curriculum and general education, visit the Wakefield City Council’s website here. Things to do in Wakefield:   Shopping The Wakefield district boasts eight fantastic markets, each one with their own character yet all of them offering a warm welcome, friendly traders and competitive prices. The city centre boasts plenty of high street shops and ample parking - not to mention the new Trinity Walk shopping development and the well established Ridings shopping centre.   The Hepworth (Art Gallery) The Hepworth Wakefield is an award-winning art gallery in the heart of Yorkshire, set within Wakefield’s historic waterfront, overlooking the River Calder. Named after Barbara Hepworth, one of the most important artists of the 20th century who was born and brought up in Wakefield, the gallery presents major exhibitions of the best international modern and contemporary art. The gallery is free to enter and open daily.   Theatre Royal Wakefield Theatre Royal Wakefield is one of the smallest remaining auditoriums designed by world-renowned architect Frank Matcham and is located in the heart of Wakefield City Centre. The new Centre for Creativity is a major extension to the venue and offers a flexible café/bar space and studio theatre. As well as a vibrant and varied programme of produced and touring work, the Theatre runs a busy Learning and Participation programme.   Pugneys Country Park Pugneys Country Park is situated to the west of Wakefield city centre, one mile from junction 39 of the M1. The 300 acre park provides a venue for formal and informal leisure and recreational pursuits. Sailing, windsurfing and canoeing are very popular and there are facilities for hire, tuition and for the public to launch their own equipment. Cycling is also very popular and the park operates a rental service.   Relocation to Wakefield: If you’re an international doctor looking to relocate to Wakefield, 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 join a community of doctors all looking to relocate to the UK and join the NHS. We post a series of vlogs and blogs to the group every day. We will also be on hand to answer all of your relocation queries. Subscribe to our YouTube channel! We have over 60 videos on everything you need to know about relocating to the UK and joining the NHS! Listen to BDI Resourcing on the go to IMG Advisor the Podcast. You can find us on Apple Podcasts, 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 Midyorks.nhs.uk. 2020. Our Hospitals - The Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust. [online] Available at: [Accessed 21 July 2020]. OneDome. 2020. City Of Wakefield. [online] Available at: [Accessed 21 July 2020].   Stada Media. 2020. Wakefield Business Facts: The Ambitious City Near Leeds | Stada Media. [online] Available at: [Accessed 21 July 2020].   Manningstainton.co.uk. 2020. Wakefield History -Things You Might Not Know | Manning Stainton. [online] Available at: [Accessed 21 July 2020]. Living, C. and Kingdom, U., 2020. Cost Of Living In Wakefield. [online] Numbeo.com. Available at: [Accessed 21 July 2020].   Yorkshire.com. 2020. Wakefield - West Yorkshire | Welcome To Yorkshire. [online] Available at: [Accessed 21 July 2020].

Back in May 2018, we at BDI Resourcing published a Blog Article on UKMLA and how it would be replacing PLAB in 2023. At this stage, we did not have much information on what the MLA would entail and how it would differ from PLAB, hence the article being very basic in terms of information. Now, the GMC have more readily available information for IMG’s. This Blog aims to outline what we know so far about the UKMLA and how to best prepare for it’s implementation.   Who needs to take the UKMLA? The UKMLA will be a replacement for the PLAB exams. With this in mind, any international medical graduates who planned on taking the PLAB route to their GMC Registration, will need to take the MLA examination. If you are planning on taking a Royal College examination or any other GMC approved postgraduate qualification listed here, then you do not need to take the UKMLA and this change will not affect you.   What does the Assessment involve? Similarly to PLAB, the UKMLA will be a two part assessment – an Applied Knowledge Test (AKT) and a Clinical and Professional Skills Assessment (CPSA). The Applied Knowledge Test In the same way that the PLAB exams work, the AKT must be taken before moving on to the CPSA. The AKT will be an on-screen exam, consisting of multiple choice questions only. It will test your ability to apply medical knowledge to different clinical scenarios. The Clinical and Professional Skills Assessment The CPSA will run in exactly the same way as PLAB 2. The Assessment will be taken a the GMC’s clinical assessment centre in Manchester.   How do I prepare? What topics should I revise? The GMC have released a ‘Content Map’ which outlines all of the topics and areas that may arise within either of the UKMLA examinations. The Content Map has six sections, which we have summarised in the following table. To be best prepared for the UKMLA, we advise making sure you revise all the listed topics in detail. Section Topics within Section Areas of Clinical Practice Context of delivery of care, reflecting the complexity of medical practice and the range of care settings/scenarios that a Doctor is likely to encounter (i.e Mental Health, Surgery, Geriatrics) Areas of Professional Knowledge Generic areas of professional clinical and scientific knowledge as applied to the care of patients, at the level expected for a Doctor entering the UK Foundation Programme (i.e Biomedical Sciences, Medical Ethics and Law) Clinical and Professional Capabilities Obtaining relevant information about the patient, formulating a prioritised list of problems and diagnoses (i.e Assessing and Managing Risk and Safeguarding of Vulnerable Patients) Practical Skills and Procedures As per the published list of Outcomes for Graduates 2018 Visit up-to date PDF. Patient Representations Signs, Symptoms, Investigation Results and other relevant patient-related issues typically seen by doctors in a first appointment within the UK Foundation Programme. (i.e Chronic Rash, Breast Lump, Memory Loss, Multiple Trauma) Conditions Pathophysiological diseases or clinical diagnoses typically seen by doctors in a first appointment within the UK Foundation Programme (i.e Asthma, Lymphoma, Migraine and Eating Disorders)   How much will it cost? Whilst the exact costs have yet to be announced, we expect these to be similar if not the same as the current PLAB fees. The current cost for both PLAB examinations lies at £1114.   What if I fail? If you fail the UKMLA, you will be required to retake the assessment again before you can apply for your GMC Registration and license to practice medicine in the UK. The GMC have stated that they will set a maximum number of times that you may attempt the MLA assessments, but this number has not yet been released.   Will the UKMLA affect the English Language Requirements needed for GMC? In short, No. The UKMLA won’t change the English Language Testing requirements needed for GMC and you will still need to prove that you have the necessary knowledge of English to practice safely in the UK. As an IMG looking to relocate into the NHS, you will need to pass either OET or IELTS.   References Gmc-uk.org. 2020. Taking The MLA. [online] Available at: <https://www.gmc-uk.org/education/medical-licensing-assessment/international-medical-graduates-guide-to-the-mla/taking-the-mla> [Accessed 15 July 2020]. Gmc-uk.org. 2020. Our PLAB Fees. [online] Available at: <https://www.gmc-uk.org/registration-and-licensing/managing-your-registration/fees-and-funding/our-plab-fees> [Accessed 15 July 2020]. Gmc-uk.org. 2020. [online] Available at: <https://www.gmc-uk.org/-/media/documents/practical-skills-and-procedures-20190717_pdf-78230532.pdf> [Accessed 15 July 2020].  

Located in the heart of the West Midlands, Wolverhampton is a vibrant City known for its rich cultural diversity and being a thriving center for arts, entertainment and leisure. With an estimated population of 256,000 and just a 20 minute train ride to Birmingham, the City is a popular place to live, visit and commute to/from. The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust is one of the largest acute and community providers in the West Midlands, providing a range of services for the people of Wolverhampton, the wider Black Country, South Staffordshire, North Worcestershire and Shropshire. The Trust is the largest employer in Wolverhampton, employing more than 9,400 staff, covering more than 350 Different Roles. The trust is now rated as ‘Good’ overall by the CQC. The most central hospital site, New Cross, has more than 850 beds and is one of only 7 Trusts in the UK chosen to be a showcase hospital for infection prevention. Facts About Wolverhampton Wolverhampton was the first town in Britain to introduce automated traffic lights! One Direction member, Liam Payne was born and grew up in Wolverhampton The Sunbeam motor car, built in Wolverhampton, became the first vehicle to hit 200mph when it broke the land speed record in 1927 Wolverhampton is twinned with three cities: Subotica in Serbia, Klagenfurt in Austria and Ulaanbaatar in Mongolia The City’s newspaper, the Wolverhampton Express and Star, recorded daily circulation figures in early 2009 of 128,838 making it the biggest selling regional daily paper in the UK The Gold and Black colours of Wolverhampton Wanderers FC originate from the city’s motto ‘Out of Darkness cometh light’, with gold and black representing the light and dark   Cost of Living in Wolverhampton Cost of Renting Accommodation per month One-Bedroom Apartment in the City Centre £487.50 One-Bedroom Apartment outside of the City Centre £443.75 Three-Bedroom Apartment in the City Centre £723.75 Three-Bedroom Apartment outside of the City Centre £666.67   Transportation 1ltr Petrol £1.27 One-Way Public Transport Ticket £2.40 Monthly Public Transport Ticket £58.00 1km Taxi Journey £0.99   Entertainment Meal out for two in a local pub £20.00 Meal out for two in a mid-range restaurant, 3 courses £80.00 Cinema tickets for two people £18.00 One-month gym membership £25.00 Tennis court rental for 1 hour on the weekend £14.33 Beer 0.5ltr bottle £3.08 Coke/Pepsi 0.33ltr bottle £1.36 Cappuccino £2.49   Time it Takes to Travel by Train from Wolverhampton to Cities in the UK: City Time it Takes to Travel London 1 Hour 45 Minutes Bristol 1 Hour 45 Minutes Cardiff 2 Hour 41 Minutes Manchester 1 Hours 10 Minutes Newcastle 3 Hours 50 Minutes Birmingham 20 Minutes Liverpool 1 Hours 20 Minutes Edinburgh 4 Hours 5 Minutes   Education in Wolverhampton: According to the information available on the government website, Wolverhampton is home to 67 Primary Schools and a further 20 Secondary Schools. To find out more information about term dates, applications, standards, curriculum and general education, visit the City of Wolverhampton Council’s website here. The City is also home to the University of Wolverhampton, a large university offering both undergraduate degrees and postgraduate courses across 4 faculties. The University has 3 Main Campuses and enrolls around 22,000 students overall from over 130 different Countries. Things to do in Wolverhampton: Wolverhampton Art Gallery Wolverhampton's Art Gallery in Lichfield Street houses collections of art from the 1700's to the present day and features internationally renowned Pop Art and Northern Ireland collections. The gallery is free entry and hosts fantastic changing exhibitions as well as permanent galleries. Banks Park Brewery This is a unique brewery in Wolverhampton where visitors get an opportunity to smell, taste, see and touch the ingredients that go into the making of its beverages. You can even opt for a tutored tasting at the Visitor Center of the site. Banks’s Park Brewery is a historic Victorian brewery in the locality, and opened its Brewery and Visitor Center in 2010 Wild Zoological Park Wild Zoological Park aims to deliver a once in a lifetime, memorable, hands on experience to educate guests about animals. Animals from around the world can be found in each of the 5 themed lands: Reptiles Unleashed, Wild Australia, Amazon, Asia and Africa. Demonstrations and hands on experiences are available for families, adults and children. The Grand Theatre Wolverhampton Grand is a long established theatre that receives a wide range of major touring productions including drama, musicals, ballet, dance, opera, variety, concerts, children's shows and one of the biggest pantomimes in the UK. The hall can accommodate 1,200 and is a Listed Building in the Grade II category. Shopping Two indoor shopping centres, the Mander Centre and Wulfrun Centre and the pedestrian-friendly shopping areas, host a mix of national stores and quality independent retailers. The vibrant Indoor and Outdoor Market operates on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday and Craft and Farmers Markets enhance Dudley Street every first Friday of the month. Wolverhampton Wanderers FC Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club commonly known as Wolves, is a professional association football club based in Wolverhampton. If you’re a football fan then Wolverhampton Wanderers offer season tickets and memberships so you never miss out on a game!   Relocation to Wolverhampton: If you’re an international doctor looking to relocate to Wolverhampton, 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 join a community of doctors all looking to relocate to the UK and join the NHS. We post a series of vlogs and blogs to the group every day. We will also be on hand to answer all of your relocation queries. Subscribe to our YouTube channel! We have over 60 videos on everything you need to know about relocating to the UK and joining the NHS! Listen to BDI Resourcing on the go to IMG Advisor the Podcast. You can find us on Apple Podcasts, 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 Enjoy Wolverhampton. 2020. Home | Enjoy Wolverhampton. [online] Available at: [Accessed 6 July 2020]. Nhs.uk. 2020. Overview - New Cross Hospital - NHS. [online] Available at: [Accessed 6 July 2020]. Living, C. and Kingdom, U., 2020. Cost Of Living In Wolverhampton. [online] Numbeo.com. Available at: [Accessed 6 July 2020]. Wlv.ac.uk. 2020. About Us - University Of Wolverhampton. [online] Available at: [Accessed 6 July 2020]. Tripadvisor. 2020. Wild Zoological Park (Wolverhampton) - 2020 All You Need To Know Before You Go (With Photos) - Wolverhampton, England | Tripadvisor. [online] Available at: [Accessed 6 July 2020]. Trip101. 2020. 10 Best Things To Do In Wolverhampton, UK - Updated 2020. [online] Available at: [Accessed 6 July 2020]. 2020. [online] Available at: [Accessed 6 July 2020].

The taking up of references is one aspect of the pre-employment checking process. In order to expedite a successful application you will need to ensure you have accurate, relevant and up-to-date references listed.   How many references do I need and Who do I use? You’ll normally want to have around 3 references and you’ll need to reference at least the last 3 years of your career. So, if you've been with one employer for the entire time during that 3 year period then they may ask for 1 or 2 references from that employer. If you've been with multiple employers they'll probably want to cross check every single employer you've been with at least during the last 3 years. Ideally you want your references to come from clinicians or consultants that you’ve reported directly to. Your first listed reference should preferably be your current, or most recent, manager/head of department. So, make sure your references are Consultants or Senior members of staff who you’ve reported to directly during your period of employment. The named referees should have knowledge of your capability and performance within a work setting, they will be asked to comment on your ability to undertake the duties and responsibilities of the job that you have applied for. It is highly important to ensure that your referees have agreed to act as such and they are aware of the role you are applying for so they can tailor their reference accordingly.   How do I present my references on my CV There are generally two options for presenting your references. You can state that your references are 'available upon request'. Or you can provide referees, preferably in the following format: [Prefix] [First Name] [Second Name], [Job Title] [Organization], [Location] You may also wish to add relevant qualifications. You generally do not need to provide a physical address or postal address.   What happens if I can’t get a reference? In some cases, the individual you were hoping to get a reference from may be unable to provide one. Perhaps they’ve retired or you can’t get in contact with them. If you find yourself in this situation, do not panic. You can usually contact the HR department of the Hospital that you’ve worked for directly and they will be able to provide you with a basic reference, covering the necessary details. Whilst HR will not be able to write you a personalized character reference they will have the information to produce a formal statement explaining your dates of employment, your job title and whether there was any disciplinary action taken against you.   Relocation to the UK If you are an international doctor who has decided that you would like our support in securing an NHS position, email your CV to [email protected] and we can support you in securing an NHS job and on your relocation journey. Are you a member of our Facebook group? When you join IMG Advisor, you will join a community of doctors all looking to join the NHS and relocate to the UK. We post a series of blog and vlogs to the group every day. We will also be on hand to answer all your relocation queries. Subscribe to our YouTube channel! We have over 60 videos covering 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 listen to us on Apple Podcasts, 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 Wright SM, Ziegelstein RC. Writing more informative letters of reference. J Gen Intern Med 2004;19(pt 2):588–93. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar] Llewellyn, A., 2020. How To Write A Medical CV. The Ultimate Illustrated Guide.. [online] AdvanceMed. Available at: [Accessed 9 July 2020].      

Bath is the largest City in the county of Somerset, in the valley of the River Avon, known for and named after it’s famous Roman-Built Baths. Bath’s compact, visitor-friendly centre is overflowing with places to eat and drink, plus some of the finest independent shops in Britain, making it an ideal place to both live and work.  The City has an estimated population of 90,000. The Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust provides acute treatment and care for a catchment population of around 500,000 people in Bath, and the surrounding towns and villages in North East Somerset and Western Wiltshire. The Trust provides 759 beds and a comprehensive range of acute services including medicine and surgery, services for women and children, accident and emergency services, and diagnostic and clinical support services, employing over 4,500 staff. Facts About Bath Bath is a UNESCO World Heritage Site The city’s famous Thermae Spa is Britain's only natural thermal spa! Uranus was discovered in Bath! - In 1781, the famous German astronomer William Herschel was at his home when he detected the presence of Uranus, the seventh planet from the sun A number of famous films and TV shows have been filmed in Bath, the most notable being the popular TV show Inspector Morse, but other huge productions, including Les Miserables (2003) and The Duchess (2007) have been filmed in the city The world’s first stamped letter was posted from Bath, known as the Penny Black. Pulteney Bridge in Bath is one of only four bridges in the world to have shops across both sides.   Cost of Living in Bath Cost of Renting Accommodation per month One-Bedroom Apartment in the City Centre £880.00 One-Bedroom Apartment outside of the City Centre £754.17 Three-Bedroom Apartment in the City Centre £1668.75 Three-Bedroom Apartment outside of the City Centre £1212.50   Transportation 1ltr Petrol £1.36 One-Way Public Transport Ticket £2.75 Monthly Public Transport Ticket £68.15 1km Taxi Journey £1.37   Entertainment Meal out for two in a local pub £30.00 Meal out for two in a mid-range restaurant, 3 courses £60.00 Cinema tickets for two people £23.50 One-month gym membership £41.25 Tennis court rental for 1 hour on the weekend £10.67 Beer 0.5ltr bottle £4.50 Coke/Pepsi 0.33ltr bottle £1.75 Cappuccino £2.77   Time it Takes to Travel by Train from Bath to Cities in the UK: City Time it Takes to Travel London 1 Hour 22 Minutes Bristol 12 Minutes Cardiff 1 Hour 8 Minutes Manchester 4 Hours 9 Minutes Newcastle 5 Hours 55 Minutes Birmingham 2 Hours 19 Minutes Liverpool 4 Hours 6 Minutes Edinburgh 7 Hours 7 Minutes   Education in Bath: According to the information available on the government website, Bath is home to 36 Primary Schools and a further 18 Secondary Schools. To find out more information about term dates, applications, standards, curriculum and general education, visit the Bath and North East Somerset Council’s website here. The City is also home to two highly reputable Universities; both The University of Bath and Bath Spa University. Firstly, the University of Bath is ranked #6 in the UK with Gold Status in the governments Teaching Excellence Framework, with 18,676 students enrolled. Over 30% of the Universities students come from outside the UK, representing over 130 nationalities. The University's main campus is located in Claverton Down, on the east side of Bath and offers hundreds of different Undergraduate and Postgraduate courses. Secondly, Bath Spa University, ranked Silver Status, focuses primarily on arts and humanities subjects. Bath Spa University is home to just over 7,500 students from over 40 different countries. This relatively small size means that Bath Spa remains a personal and intimate university with strong focus on teaching and student welfare. Things to do in Bath:   The Roman Baths Constructed in around 70AD as a grand bathing and socialising complex, the Roman Baths is one of the best-preserved Roman remains in the world, where 1,170,000 litres of steaming spring water, reaching 46°C, still fills the bathing site every single day. The Roman Baths is the site of extensive ruins and an interactive museum filled with many treasures and visual snippets that transport you back to Roman times and the lives of the Aquae Sulis people. Thermae Bath Spa In the heart of the city, Thermae Bath Spa is an award-winning natural spa where you can now bathe in Britain’s only naturally warm, mineral-rich waters as the Celts and Romans did over 2,000 years ago. A spa session gives full use of the indoor Minerva Bath, open-air rooftop pool, Wellness Suite plus access to the Springs Café Restaurant. Shopping Bath’s compact, visitor-friendly city centre is packed with retailers large and small, from one of-a-kind independent boutiques to major high street names. Whatever you’re looking for – antiques, arts and crafts, books, fashion, foodie emporiums, jewellery, vintage clothing and quirky one-offs you won’t find anywhere else – Bath has it all. SouthGate retail complex, Baths newest shopping centre is home to big brands like Debenhams, Urban Outfitters, H&M, Topshop and many more. Surrounding Bath Abbey is a maze of stores selling confectionery, glassware, fashion and accessories. Bath Abbey also provides an atmospheric backdrop for the cities celebrated annual Bath Christmas Market Victoria Park Just a short stroll from the city centre, the area is a beautiful expanse of green parkland, spanning 57 acres. Originally an arboretum, it is still home to beautiful botanic gardens and the Great Dell Aerial Walkway. There are many attractions within the park, whatever your age, making it a great day out for families and those with children. Gather your friends for a fun game of tennis or a round on the 18-hole mini golf course, or take the children to the expansive adventure playground.   Relocation to Bath: If you’re an international doctor looking to relocate to Bath, 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 join a community of doctors all looking to relocate to the UK and join the NHS. We post a series of vlogs and blogs to the group every day. We will also be on hand to answer all of your relocation queries. Subscribe to our YouTube channel! We have over 60 videos on everything you need to know about relocating to the UK and joining the NHS! Listen to BDI Resourcing on the go to IMG Advisor the Podcast. You can find us on Apple Podcasts, 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 Ruh.nhs.uk. 2020. Royal United Hospitals Bath | About The RUH. [online] Available at: <https://www.ruh.nhs.uk/about/index.asp?menu_id=1> [Accessed 26 June 2020]. Living, C. and Kingdom, U., 2020. Cost Of Living In Bath. [online] Numbeo.com. Available at: <https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/in/Bath> [Accessed 26 June 2020]. Park, R. and Park, R., 2020. Royal Victoria Park | Visit Bath. [online] Visitbath.co.uk. Available at: <https://visitbath.co.uk/listings/single/royal-victoria-park/> [Accessed 26 June 2020]. SI-UK: Move Forward. Be Great. 2020. Bath Spa University Courses And Application Information. [online] Available at: <https://www.studyin-uk.com/profiles/university/bath-spa/> [Accessed 26 June 2020]. Bath.ac.uk. 2020. Facts And Figures. [online] Available at: <https://www.bath.ac.uk/corporate-information/facts-and-figures/> [Accessed 26 June 2020]. Visitbath.co.uk. 2020. Bath's Official Tourism Site | Visit Bath. [online] Available at: <https://visitbath.co.uk/> [Accessed 26 June 2020].

Obstetrics and gynaecology is concerned with the care of pregnant woman, her unborn child and the management of diseases specific to women. The specialty is particularly appealing as it combines both medicine and surgery. Working in women’s health is a stimulating and rewarding career. Childbirth is an important event for any woman, and obstetricians are central to providing support and ensuring safety in maternity care It is important to note that this is a very competitive area of medicine and thus in order to secure the best career opportunities for yourself, we would always advice the MRCOG route to GMC Registration.   Can I subspecialise? O&G is a wide-ranging specialty with an extensive training programme that opens up lots of different career paths. Similarly to other specialties, O&G is a run through training programme lasting seven years. In the final two years of training (ST6-ST7), Doctors are expected to complete a subspecialty programme. The below table aims to outline the four recognised subspecialties and the common associated procedures for each.   Sub Specialty   Gynaecological Oncology Providing specialist care to patients with gynaecological cancers (Ovarian/Uterine/Cervical/Vulval/Vaginal), initiating interventions for all stages and contexts of the disease. Common procedures - (Total Laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH), Groin lymph node dissection, Open para-aortic lymph node dissection, Laparotomy for stage 3/4 Ovarian Cancer, Vulvectomy, Radical Hysterectomy (open and Lap), Small bowel resection +/- anastomosis, Large bowel resection, Diaphragm/peritoneal resection/stripping) Maternal and Fetal Medicine Providing ultrasound to screen for pregnancy complications, fetal abnormalities and common conditions affecting the fetus. You will be managing a wide range of maternal medical conditions and pregnancy complications The main three points of focus within this subspecialty are Amniocentesis, Fetal Echocardiography and Chorionic Villus Sampling Urogynaecology Providing specialist care to patients with pelvic floor dysfunction, performing non-surgical and surgical treatments Common procedures – (Cystoscopy/Posterior Repair/Sacrocolpopexy/Sacrospinous Fixation/Urodynamics/Vaginal Hysterectomy and Anterior Repair/Laparoscopic Sacrocolpopexy) Reproductive Medicine Providing specialist care for women with endometriosis, managing endocrinological disorders, treating reproductive, early pregnancy and fertility problems through surgery and assisted conception Common procedures – (Hysteroscopic Surgery, Laparoscopic Adhesiolysis, Laparoscopic treatment of endometriosis, Laparoscopic Ovarian Cystectomy, Laparoscopic Salpingectomy, Laparoscopic Salpingostomy and Myomectomy)   Where will I be working? Due to the varied nature of the specialty, you will be expected to work in a range of environments, which may include practicing in an antenatal or gynaecology outpatient clinic, an operating theatre, a labour ward, a scanning clinic or specialist clinic. There are also many opportunities to work closely with the community, both in obstetrics, gynaecology and sexual and reproductive health where there is a significant public health aspect to the work. User input in maternity services is very active. Some doctors in this specialty now work completely in the community.   What else should I expect? There is no typical day in Obstetrics and Gynaecology but most trainees and an increasing number of Consultants in the NHS will work on a shift system. They will begin their shift by undertaking ward rounds, seeing inpatients, new admissions and arranging any required investigations. A large part of the job will be contributing to the multidisciplinary team on the labour ward, which is a 24/7 service. Teaching and training medical students and trainees is an important part of a consultant’s working week. They may also undertake research. Most consultants work during the daytime and are on call out-of-hours on a regular basis. Most trainees work on a shift pattern.   Relocating to the UK If you are an international Obstetrician or Gynaecologist 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 relocation journey to the UK. Please note, Obstetrics and Gynaecology is an extremely competitive field and thus NHS Trusts are fairly successful with their own recruitment processes. With this in mind BDI Resourcing mostly specialize in finding Consultant Obstetrics and Gynaecology positions but we can certainly keep your CV on file should an appropriate NHS position arise. Are you a member of our Facebook group? When you join IMG Advisor, you join a community of doctors all looking to relocate to the UK and join the NHS. We post a series of blogs and vlogs to the group each day. We will also be on hand to answer all of your relocation queries. Subscribe to our YouTube channel! We have over 60 videos covering 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 listen to us on Apple Podcasts, 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. Finally, we have just launched our new Instagram, so if you are a member, feel free to follow us to view our posts and IGTV: @bdiresourcing   References: Health Careers. 2020. Obstetrics And Gynaecology. [online] Available at: [Accessed 1 July 2020]. Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists. 2020. Considering A Career In Obstetrics And Gynaecology?. [online] Available at: [Accessed 1 July 2020]. Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists. 2020. Gynaecological Oncology Subspecialty Training. [online] Available at: [Accessed 1 July 2020].

Whilst strictly speaking Northampton is not classified as a City, it is the third largest town in the UK in terms of it’s population which lies at 222,990. Located in the East Midlands of England, Northampton is an ideal location for commuters to larger cities like London and Birmingham. The Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust provides general acute services for a population of 380,000 and hyper-acute stroke, vascular and renal services to almost 700,000 people living throughout Northamptonshire.  The Trust also comprises of an accredited cancer centre, providing services to 880,000 people who live in Northamptonshire and parts of Buckinghamshire. In addition to the main hospital site, which is located close to Northampton town centre, the Trust provides outpatient and day surgery services at Danetre Hospital in Daventry.  Facts About Northampton Northampton is home to the biggest market square in England which was established in 1189 around All Saint’s Church Northampton is home to the largest urban enterprise zone in the UK – The Northampton Waterside Enterprise Zone is where the University opened its £330 Million Campus in 2018. Northampton is home to an impressive list of celebrities including; famous actor and comedian Rowan Atkinson, radio DJ Jo Whiley and England footballer, Les Ferdinand. Famous brands Weetabix, Carlsberg and Doc Martens are all made in the Northamptonshire County Northampton has two twin towns - Poitiers in France and Marburg in Germany. Northampton’s shoe and leather industry dates back almost 900 years and is widely considered the ‘shoe-making capital of the world!’. The University is the UK’s only one to integrate leather technology with fashion. Northampton is often referred to as ‘The Rose of the Shires’ and is recognized as a centre of excellence for traditional and innovative artisanal food and drink.   Cost of Living in Northampton Cost of Renting Accommodation per month One-Bedroom Apartment in the Centre £592.86 One-Bedroom Apartment outside of the Centre £564.29 Three-Bedroom Apartment in the Centre £900.00 Three-Bedroom Apartment outside of the Centre £881.25   Transportation 1ltr Petrol £1.33 One-Way Public Transport Ticket £2.65 Monthly Public Transport Ticket £56.52 1km Taxi Journey £1.24   Entertainment Meal out for two in a local pub £30.00 Meal out for two in a mid-range restaurant, 3 courses £65.00 Cinema tickets for two people £20.00 One-month gym membership £25.88 Tennis court rental for 1 hour on the weekend £10.05 Beer 0.5ltr bottle £3.8 Coke/Pepsi 0.33ltr bottle £1.50 Cappuccino £2.60   Time it Takes to Travel by Train from Northampton to Cities in the UK: City Time it Takes to Travel London 1 Hour 13 Minutes Bristol 2 Hours 53 Minutes Cardiff 3 Hours 15 Minutes Manchester 2 Hours 46 Minutes Newcastle 4 Hours 55 Minutes Birmingham 1 Hour 3 Minutes Liverpool 3 Hours 5 Minutes Edinburgh 6 Hours 31 Minutes   Education in Northampton: According to the information available online, Northampton has access to 268 Nursery/Primary Schools and a further 41 Secondary Schools. To find out more information about term dates, applications, standards, curriculum and general education, visit the Northamptonshire Government’s Education website here. The town is also home to the University of Northampton, one of the few universities to be ranked Gold in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF). The University enrolls an average of around 12,000 students into both undergraduate and postgraduate courses ranging from Economics, Accounting and Finance to Nursing and Midwifery. According to the University’s website more than 1000 of their students are international, coming from over 100 countries. Things to do in Northampton: Abingdon Park Abington Park is Northampton's oldest and most popular park. It contains many features including Abington Park Museum, sports facilities, a cafe, flower displays, lakes, and a garden for the blind. Beneath the surface lies the archaeological remains of the old medieval village. Northampton Town Festival Now operating for it’s 5th consecutive year, Northampton Town Festival is an annual weekend event packed with stalls, bars, local traders, chill-out tents, live music, funfair rides, fireworks, hot air balloons, stunts and shows. Abington Park Museum and Northampton Museum & Art Gallery The collections at Northampton Museums include social history, fine and decorative art as well as 5000 items of military history, 35,000 geological specimens and 5000 items of leather. The shoe collection is the largest collection of shoe heritage in the world. It is designated as being of national and international significance, featuring more than 12,000 shoes from Egyptian footwear to contemporary British design, documentary footage and fine art. Pinnacle Climbing Centre Pinnacle Climbing Centre was established in July 2010 and has set the standard for climbing centres in the heart of England. The centre has over 200 climbing walls up to 12.5 meters high and also offers a bouldering room with over 70 problems. The centre caters for all ages with a range of sessions from tasters to beginners courses, parties and kids clubs.   Relocation to Northampton: If you’re an international doctor looking to relocate to Northampton, 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 join a community of doctors all looking to relocate to the UK and join the NHS. We post a series of vlogs and blogs to the group every day. We will also be on hand to answer all of your relocation queries. Subscribe to our YouTube channel! We have over 60 videos on everything you need to know about relocating to the UK and joining the NHS! Listen to BDI Resourcing on the go to IMG Advisor the Podcast. You can find us on Apple Podcasts, 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 Hinorthamptonwest.co.uk. 2020. 12 Things You Didn't Know About Northamptonshire | Northampton Hotel | Hotels Near Silverstone | Hotel In Northampton |. [online] Available at: <https://www.hinorthamptonwest.co.uk/post/8/11/2017/12-things-you-didnt-know-about-northamptonshire> [Accessed 16 June 2020]. Top Universities. 2020. 4 Exciting Things You Didn’T Know About Studying In Northampton. [online] Available at: <https://www.topuniversities.com/student-info/studying-abroad/4-exciting-things-you-didnt-know-about-studying-northampton> [Accessed 16 June 2020]. Living, C. and Kingdom, U., 2020. Cost Of Living In Northampton. [online] Numbeo.com. Available at: <https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/in/Northampton> [Accessed 16 June 2020]. Northamptongeneral.nhs.uk. 2020. About Us Content. [online] Available at: <https://www.northamptongeneral.nhs.uk/About/About-Us-Content.aspx> [Accessed 16 June 2020]. Northamptonshire.gov.uk. 2020. Schools Directory. [online] Available at: <https://www.northamptonshire.gov.uk/councilservices/children-families-education/schools-and-education/schools/Pages/default.aspx#filter=Primary,Secondary> [Accessed 16 June 2020]. University of Northampton. 2020. About Us | University Of Northampton. [online] Available at: <https://www.northampton.ac.uk/about-us/> [Accessed 16 June 2020]. Northamptontownfestival.com. 2020. About The Festival – Northampton Town Festival. [online] Available at: <https://www.northamptontownfestival.com/about-the-festival/> [Accessed 16 June 2020]. Council, N., 2020. Abington Park | Northampton Borough Council. [online] Northampton.gov.uk. Available at: <https://www.northampton.gov.uk/abingtonpark> [Accessed 16 June 2020]. Pinnacle Climbing Centre. 2020. The Pinnacle Climbing Centre In Northampton | Parties | Lessons | Caving. [online] Available at: <https://www.thepinnaclecentre.co.uk/> [Accessed 16 June 2020].

Surgery is a complex specialty due to the broad variation between its surgical specialties. Because of the many options available within surgery, it can offer a demanding and challenging career. It is important to note that surgery is a very competitive area of medicine and thus in order to secure the best career opportunities for yourself, we would always advise the MRCS/FRCS route to GMC Registration.   What can I choose to specialize in? Surgery comprises ten main specialties within the NHS, most of which have further options for sub-specialisations embedded with them. The following table aims to outline each of the 10 specialties and their own sub-specialty branches of medicine –   Sub-Specialties Cardiothoracic Surgery Adult Cardiac Surgery General Thoracic Surgery Congenital Cardiac Surgery Heart and Lung Transplant Surgery General Surgery Breast Surgery Lower Gastrointestinal Surgery Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery Endocrine Surgery Transplant Surgery – Renal/Hepatic/Pancreatic Neurosurgery Paediatric Neurosurgery Neuro-Oncology Functional Neurosurgery Neurovascular Surgery Traumatology Skull-base Surgery Spinal Surgery Oral and Maxillofacial surgery Head and Neck Cancer Craniofacial Deformity and Orthognathic Surgery Gland Surgery Cleft Lip and Palate Surgery Oral Medicine Dentoalveolar Surgery Aesthetic Facial Surgery Jaw Joint problems and Facial Pain Facial Skin Surgery Academic Surgery Otorhinolaryngology (ENT) Otology Rhinology Laryngology Head and Neck Surgery Skull Base Surgery/Neurotology Facial Plastics Paediatric ENT Paediatric Surgery Urology Neonatal Surgery (Some Doctors may have an interest in Paediatric Orthopaedics, Paediatric Cardiothoracic and Paediatric Neuro, but they would be expected to go through Ortho, Cardio and Neuro Training Routes and then subspecialise in Paediatric Surgery) Plastic Surgery Paediatric Plastic Surgery Hand Surgery Congenital Breast Surgery Skin Trauma Cancer Trauma and Orthopaedics Site areas – Foot/Ankle, Shoulder/Elbow, Hand, Upper Limb, Pelvis Joint Reconstruction Orthopaedic Oncology Paediatric Surgery Spinal Surgery Sports Injury Surgery Complex Trauma Surgery Urology Endourology Urological Oncology Functional Urology Andrology Reconstructive Urology Paediatric Urology Vascular Surgery Because this surgical specialty is new, there are no defined sub-specialties as yet.   What should I know?   1) Cardiothoracic Surgery Cardiothoracic surgery is one of the most challenging and demanding areas of surgery. It's also highly competitive with a relatively small number of jobs. Some Cardiothoracic surgeons have a mixed practice across thoracic and adult cardiac but the majority within the NHS specialise in one of these areas. As a Cardiothoracic surgeon you will work closely with cardiologists, oncologists and anaesthesiologists, and have close professional relationships with other non-medical staff such as perfusionists, intensive care staff and operating department personnel.   2) General Surgery General surgery is one of the two largest surgical specialties in the UK (the other being trauma and orthopaedics) employing 31% of the country’s consultant surgeons. The defining feature of general surgeons is that they have a wide range of knowledge and skills to deal with all kinds of surgical emergencies, with an emphasis on acute abdominal problems. They also carry out a large number of elective operations. General surgeons work in smaller hospitals as well as larger teaching hospitals. There are greater opportunities for increased specialisation within large hospitals and specialist units. As a General surgeon you will work with patients of all ages, from babies and children to elderly people.   3) Neurosurgery Neurosurgery is a very challenging surgical specialty where techniques and technologies are constantly developing. Your working day is going to be long – with early starts and late finishes all part of the job. Although surgery is your main responsibility, you will also be evaluating patients in outpatients’ clinics and emergency departments and attending ward rounds. Neurosurgeons are usually based in large regional centres usually attached to teaching hospitals. Most of these are in or near major cities. There are 34 neurosurgical units in the UK. 4) Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery The specialty of oral and maxillofacial surgery is unique in requiring a dual qualification in medicine and dentistry, followed by a comprehensive general and specialist surgical training. Patients can span all ages, but young people aged 15-25 and older people aged 65 plus often predominate. The on call demand is less than other surgical specialties 5) Otorhinolaryngology (ENT) There are around 1476 ENT surgeons working in the NHS, making them one of the biggest surgical specialty within the NHS and this is largely down to the very broad range of skills they cover. ENT has possibly the widest range of operations of any speciality from major head & neck procedures with flaps & complex reconstructions to microsurgery on the ear. Unlike most other surgeons, ENT specialists also act as physicians spending a high proportion of their time running out patient clinics and managing conditions non-operatively through prescribing medicines rather than undertaking surgery. On call demand within ENT surgery is not as high as that required in oth er surgical specialties, making it easier to achieve a good work-life balance. 6) Paediatric Surgery Where other specialties are concerned with a particular technique or area of the body, paediatric surgery is the only surgical specialty that is defined by the patient’s age rather than by a specific condition. The majority of specialised children’s surgery is performed in specific children’s hospitals, or in paediatric surgical units within larger hospitals. There are 29 such centres across the UK, staffed by approximately 338 paediatric surgeons. In these settings, teams of health professionals led by consultant paediatric surgeons provide the necessary services to diagnose, treat and support the rehabilitation of children with various ailments.  Surgery may be planned or emergency. Much of the clinical workload involves children operated on as day-cases. In comparison to other surgical specialties the amount of emergency surgery is relatively low. Consultant paediatric surgeons generally participate in on call rotas of between one in four and one in seven, to include nights and weekends 7) Plastic Surgery Reconstructive procedures are the mainstay of nearly all plastic surgeons’ work: covering all aspects of wound healing and reconstruction after congenital, acquired and traumatic problems, with aesthetic surgery playing a smaller but important part in their working week. Most consultants will specialise in a particular area, although nearly all take part in on-call rota dealing with emergency admissions. Plastic surgeons have a busy emergency workload of soft tissue and limb injuries as well as burns. Emergency plastic surgery also supports the work of other surgeons, dealing with complex wounds from accidents or after other surgical procedures. 8) Trauma and Orthopaedics Trauma can range from low energy fractures (often in elderly patients) to multiple injuries such as those caused by a road traffic accident. Bone and joint infection can also require emergency admission and treatment. T&O surgeons work with patients of all ages from babies to elderly people. T&O surgeons generally spend about 40% of their time operating, and the remainder in outpatient clinics, the emergency department and assessing/monitoring patients before and after surgery. It is important to note that there is more on call work for T&O surgery in comparison to other surgical specialties. Most, but not all orthopaedic surgeons take part in on call rotas to cover the trauma workload. The frequency of on call varies from 1 in 6 to 1 in 12-15 depending on the size of the unit. On call workload will be more intense in bigger units and in designated major trauma centres. 9) Urology Urological conditions are relatively common and account for up to 10% of all GP consultations and up to 20% of all acute hospital referrals. Most urological surgery is elective and urological emergencies are relatively rare. But dealing with acute kidney infections, urinary retention and trauma to the urinary tract can also occasionally be part of a day’s work. You might perform two or three operations during an average half-day in theatre, and see up to eight patients in a morning or afternoon outpatients’ clinic. 10)  Vascular Surgery As a Vascular Surgeon around 40-50% of your surgical work is likely to be emergency surgery and the remainder elective work. When not performing surgery, vascular surgeons undertake a mixture of ward rounds and outpatient clinics. Outpatient and minor interventions may be provided on hospital sites away from the main vascular unit. When you are not working as duty surgeon you could expect to work on an on call basis to deal with emergency cases about one in every six nights/weekends.   Where will I be working? Most surgical work takes place within hospital settings and as well as performing operations, surgeons will also undertake ward rounds, outpatient clinics, administrative duties and teaching. Surgeons have a hugely important role within Emergency and Trauma Departments however dependent on the specific surgical subspecialty, you may be expected to work within separate units, specialized centres or differential departments/hospitals.   Relocating to the UK If you are an international Surgeon 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 relocation journey to the UK. Please note, Surgery is an extremely competitive field and thus NHS Trusts are fairly successful with their own recruitment processes. With this in mind, BDI Resourcing mostly specialize in Consultant Surgery positions but we can certainly keep your CV on file should an appropriate NHS position arise. Are you a member of our Facebook group? When you join IMG Advisor, you join a community of doctors all looking to relocate to the UK and join the NHS. We post a series of blogs and vlogs to the group each day. We will also be on hand to answer all of your relocation queries. Subscribe to our YouTube channel! We have over 60 videos covering 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 listen to us on Apple Podcasts, 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. Finally, we have just launched our new Instagram, so if you are a member, feel free to follow us to view our posts and IGTV: @bdiresourcing   References: Health Careers. 2020. Surgery. [online] Available at: <https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/doctors/roles-doctors/surgery> [Accessed 23 June 2020]. Royal College of Surgeons. 2020. General Surgery — Royal College Of Surgeons. [online] Available at: <https://www.rcseng.ac.uk/news-and-events/media-centre/media-background-briefings-and-statistics/general-surgery/> [Accessed 23 June 2020]. Royal College of Surgeons. 2020. Plastic And Reconstructive — Royal College Of Surgeons. [online] Available at: <https://www.rcseng.ac.uk/news-and-events/media-centre/media-background-briefings-and-statistics/plastic-and-reconstructive/> [Accessed 23 June 2020]. Royal College of Surgeons. 2020. Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) — Royal College Of Surgeons. [online] Available at: <https://www.rcseng.ac.uk/news-and-events/media-centre/media-background-briefings-and-statistics/ear-nose-and-throat/> [Accessed 23 June 2020].

Derby is a City on the banks of the River Derwent in Derbyshire County, situated in the East Midlands. The thriving city boasts an excellent range of attractions, restaurants, parks, open spaces, entertainment venues and businesses, with an estimated population of 259,653. The University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust consists of the following five hospitals; Royal Derby Hospital, Queens Hospital Burton, London Road Community Hospital, Samuel Johnson Community Hospital and Sir Robert Peel Community Hospital. The Royal Derby Hospital has 1,159 beds and provides state of the art care to around one million patients from Derby and the surrounding areas every year, rated Good by the CQC. With 35 operating theatres, four linear accelerators for treating cancer patients, two MRI scanners and a Da Vinci surgical robot, the Royal provides the highest standards of care in a modern environment, ensuring the best possible care for patients. Facts About Derby Derby is the site of the worlds first factory - Derby’s Silk Mill Florence Nightingale spent her early years living in Derby Derby Art Gallery has the largest collection of Joseph Wright paintings in the World Arboretum Park in Derby was Englands first Public Park and inspired the design of New York’s Central Park An industrial boom began in Derby when Rolls-Royce opened a car and aircraft factory in the town in 1907. Lara Croft, one of the worlds most famous computer game characters, was created in Derby Derby were the proud owners of the UK’s first purpose build basketball arena – The Thunderdome Derby is twinned with German City ‘Osnabruck’   Cost of Living in Derby Cost of Renting Accommodation per month One-Bedroom Apartment in the City Centre £520.45 One-Bedroom Apartment outside of the City Centre £443.75 Three-Bedroom Apartment in the City Centre £750.00 Three-Bedroom Apartment outside of the City Centre £707.50   Transportation 1ltr Petrol £1.26 One-Way Public Transport Ticket £2.65 Monthly Public Transport Ticket £49.00 1km Taxi Journey £1.24   Entertainment Meal out for two in a local pub £26.50 Meal out for two in a mid-range restaurant, 3 courses £50.00 Cinema tickets for two people £18.00 One-month gym membership £31.00 Tennis court rental for 1 hour on the weekend £10.25 Beer 0.5ltr bottle £3.55 Coke/Pepsi 0.33ltr bottle £1.16 Cappuccino £2.56   Time it Takes to Travel by Train from Derby to Cities in the UK: City Time it Takes to Travel London 1 Hours 35 Minutes Bristol 2 Hours 1 Minutes Cardiff 2 Hours 50 Minutes Manchester 1 Hours 42 Minutes Newcastle 2 Hours 44 Minutes Birmingham 35 Minutes Liverpool 2 Hours 6 Minutes Edinburgh 4 Hours 29 Minutes   Education in Derby: According to the information available on the government website, Darby is home to 20 Nursery/Infant Schools, 61 Primary Schools, 17 Secondary Schools and a further 8 Special Schools. To find out more information about term dates, applications, standards, curriculum and general education, visit the Derby City Council’s website here, where you can also download the full list of schools and academies. The City is also home to The University of Derby, rated Gold in the Teaching Excellence and Student Outcomes Framework (TEF) and a Top 30 UK University in the Guardian University Guide 2020. The University is also rated Top 10 in the world for international student learning experience. With three different campuses, the University can offer a broad range of experiences and further education opportunities. Things to do in Derby: Derby Museum and Art Gallery With longstanding and temporary exhibits, the Museum and Art Gallery boasts paintings and artefacts that are of both local and international significance. The exhibitions are changed and updated regularly, which means visitors will never be seeing the same thing twice! The Museum also runs education and learning programmes, and hold events and exhibitions with the purpose of sharing knowledge and inspiring creativity amongst the people of Derby.   Darley Park Darley Park is a large, picturesque and popular park situated within walking distance of the city centre. It is located on the River Derwent at the gateway to the World Heritage Site. The park is popular with visitors from across the County and is a peaceful place to escape city life. It hosts many events throughout the year, including the classical Darley Park Concert   Shopping in Cathedral Quarter and ‘Intu’ Shopping Centre Centrally located in the heart of the bustling city, intu Derby is a vibrant hub of retail, leisure and dining facilities, home to some of the world’s biggest brands with a host of eateries and entertainment on offer. Home to Showcase Cinema de Lux, Hollywood Bowl and Paradise Island Adventure Golf, intu Derby features one of the UK’s finest in-centre complexes of high-end leisure facilities. For a more unique shopping destination, Cathedral Quarter consists of historical streets, arcades and specialist independent retail stores. The Cathedral Quarter is also the hub of city culture whether you are looking for stunning art galleries and museums orchestral concerts, contemporary dance performances, band gigs, plays or films.   Derby Theatre Home to captivating comedy and drama productions, and hub for creative drama in the city, Derby Theatre is a brilliant venue for evening entertainment. As a Learning Theatre, Derby Theatre provides a unique opportunity for students to learn by working alongside both academics and theatre professionals in the heart of a professional producing theatre.   Relocation to Derby: If you’re an international doctor looking to relocate to Derby, 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 join a community of doctors all looking to relocate to the UK and join the NHS. We post a series of vlogs and blogs to the group every day. We will also be on hand to answer all of your relocation queries. Subscribe to our YouTube channel! We have over 60 videos on everything you need to know about relocating to the UK and joining the NHS! Listen to BDI Resourcing on the go to IMG Advisor the Podcast. You can find us on Apple Podcasts, 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 Derby-guide.co.uk. 2020. Derby City Guide - About Derby. [online] Available at: [Accessed 22 June 2020]. Discover Derby. 2020. Cathedral Quarter. [online] Available at: [Accessed 22 June 2020]. Discover Derby. 2020. Intu Derby. [online] Available at: [Accessed 22 June 2020]. Discover Derby. 2020. 7 Surprising Facts You Might Not Know About Derby. [online] Available at: [Accessed 22 June 2020]. Nelson, S. and Jones, C., 2020. 13 Fascinating Facts To Make You Proud Of Being From Derbyshire. [online] derbytelegraph. Available at: [Accessed 22 June 2020]. NHS, U., 2020. About Us. [online] University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS. Available at: [Accessed 22 June 2020]. Living, C. and Kingdom, U., 2020. Cost Of Living In Derby. [online] Numbeo.com. Available at: [Accessed 22 June 2020]. Derby.ac.uk. 2020. International Student Centre. [online] Available at: [Accessed 22 June 2020].

A Pathology career offers a great range of variety and combines both clinical and laboratory work. From investigating infertility to researching neurological disorders, pathology careers are incredibly diverse – each focuses on a different area of prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease. Whilst there are many areas of Pathology that you can choose to have a specific interest in, all jobs in Pathology are very broad and require a detailed knowledge of medicine.   The 5 Areas of Pathology There are 5 main areas of Pathology that an individual can choose to work in, each with their own branch of further sub-specialties and areas of interest. 1) Chemical Pathology (The study of chemicals in the blood) Chemical Pathologists are qualified doctors who combine both laboratory and clinical skills. Their two main roles are to manage the biochemistry laboratories (sample analysis units) and to work alongside any patients who have metabolic disturbances. As a Chemical Pathologist you will be working closely with GP’s (who often request tests) and Endocrinologists (to oversee specialist tests). In general, Chemical Pathologists work with adult patients however some may choose to have a specific interest in Paediatric cases.  The only subspecialty in Chemical Pathology is ‘Metabolic Medicine’ – which explores Inherited Metabolic Disease (MD), the genetic inherited disorder of the metabolism. 2) Haematology (The study of blood disorders) Hematologists diagnose and clinically manage disorders of the blood and bone marrow. There main role is to provide an advisory and consultancy service to all of the hospital specialists and general practitioners whilst also managing diagnostic laboratories and undertaking the care of outpatients and inpatients. As a Haemotologist you will be working with patients of all ages and managing both benign and malignant conditions. You will also be working closely with biomedical scientists and research teams. Many larger hospitals will employ teams of academic Haemotologists.  Within the field of Haemotology there are varying opportunities to develop special interests and subspecialties. These include but are not limited to: Haemoto-oncology Haemostasis and Thrombosis Disorders of Blood Production and Destruction Transfusion Medicine Paediatric Haemotology 3) Histopathology (The study of disease in human tissue) Histopathologists are Doctors who diagnose and study disease using medical interpretation of cells and tissue samples. Histopathology determines the cause of death by performing autopsies and is integral to cancer management through staging and grading of tumours. Working as a Histopathologist in the NHS will mean that you will be a member of the multi-disciplinary team alongside Oncologists, scientists and doctors from other clinical specialties, assessing cancer patients and planning their further investigation into treatments. It is important to note, that in comparison to other branches of Pathology, patient contact may be limited – although you will see patients to explain their diagnosis/treatment or see parents of the deceased to explain the cause of death. As an aspiring Histopathologist you will firstly train in General Histopathology. Once you reach ST3 level you can then choose to have further sub-specialty interests. These include but are not limited to: GI Breast Neurology Dermatology 4) Medical Microbiology and Virology – the study of infection Medical Microbiology and Virology (MMV) are both laboratory based specialties, involving the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of the spread of infection in hospitals and the community. Practicing in either of these specialties will mean that you won’t usually be working directly with patients, but will liaise between clinical colleagues in the hospital, GP’s and other laboratory staff. There are no sub-specialties within medical microbiology and virology however you may have a specific interest in a technique such as nucleic acid amplification or extraction. 5) Immunology (The study of the immune system) The final area of Pathology is Immunology; the diagnosis and treatment of the immune system. Immunologists will often work in specialist laboratories that provide testing for immunological disorders as well as treating people with autoimmunity, immune deficiency and allergies. Immunologists will see patients with possible immune issues, deficiencies and allergies and work in both outpatient and inpatient departments offering ward consultations. Immunologists may develop sub-specialty interests such as: rheumatology HIV medicine transplantation   Where will I be working? Due to the specialism being so multi-disciplinary and having multitudinous strands, as a Pathologist you could work in a large variety of different environments including specialist laboratories, clinics, hospital wards and even histopathology centres. Every blood test, biopsy sample, cancer screening test or search for infection made within the NHS will involve a pathology team and where the team is located depends on the branch of Pathology as stated previously. Relocating to the UK If you are an international Pathologist 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 relocation journey to the UK. Are you a member of our Facebook group? When you join IMG Advisor, you join a community of doctors all looking to relocate to the UK and join the NHS. We post a series of blogs and vlogs to the group each day. We will also be on hand to answer all of your relocation queries. Subscribe to our YouTube channel! We have over 60 videos covering 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 listen to us on Apple Podcasts, 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. Finally, we have just launched our new Instagram, so if you are a member, feel free to follow us to view our posts and IGTV: @bdiresourcing   References Health Careers. 2020. Pathology. [online] Available at: [Accessed 11 June 2020]. Myworldofwork.co.uk. 2020. Pathologist. [online] Available at: [Accessed 11 June 2020]. Pathologists, T., 2020. Careers In Pathology. [online] Rcpath.org. Available at: [Accessed 11 June 2020]. Pathologists, T., 2020. Immunology. [online] Rcpath.org. Available at: [Accessed 16 June 2020]. Immunology.org. 2020. | British Society For Immunology. [online] Available at: [Accessed 16 June 2020].