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Whilst we are beginning to see the lockdown measures in the UK ease, we are aware that certain aspects of lockdown and self-isolation will remain the same for the foreseeable future. The following article aims to outline BDI Resourcing’s Top 5 tips for coping in Lockdown.   Keep Active An absolute ‘must’ during lockdown! Here in the UK, you are allowed out of your house (as long as you are social distancing) for unlimited amounts of outdoor excersize. Whether you fancy a long run, a fast walk, a relaxing bike ride or even a workout in the garden –keeping active is a great way to ward of the psychological issues associated with being in lockdown. Doing a form of exercise helps lower stress hormones and promotes the release of feel-good hormones, such as endorphin. If you are in the situation where you are having to self-isolate and therefore not leave the house, there are still ways you can stay active and continue a workout routine. Using YouTube or Instagram to watch online workout tutorials is a great way to stay motivated. For a more relaxed form of exercise and a way to keep active, is to participate in some yoga or pilates tutorials. You can even access a lot of online classes provided by personal trainers through skype or zoom! Stay social! One of the most important tips for coping with lockdown is to make sure you’re staying social, which essentially means keeping in touch with friends, family and colleagues. Whilst you may not be able to see others in person and we can’t replace the value of face-to-face interactions, we can be flexible and interact creatively in these circumstances. There is a huge variety of applications that are free to use in order to contact or video call your loved ones.   Popular applications to use for online quizzes, video calls and even joint workouts include Skype, Facetime, Zoom, WhatsApp, Microsoft Teams, Facebook Messenger and Google Hangouts. Baking/Cooking One very popular hobby that we think is a great idea to explore and try to master during lockdown is baking and/or cooking! If you find yourself with a bit more time on your hands and in need of cheering up, now is the perfect opportunity to experiment with some new recipes – with thousands available for free online! Cooking is therapeutic and rewarding, providing an activity that also rewards us with something (hopefully) delicious to eat at the end of it. Reading The importance of reading at the moment cannot be understated – it gives us all a way to relax, bond with our families, enjoy time alone and escape the current situation. Many people are using the current lockdown situation to curl up on the sofa at home, or in gardens while it’s sunny, and lose themselves in fiction.   Keep up to date with your studies Last but not least, one very important thing to do during lockdown is to make sure you are keeping up to date with your studies. Whether this means revising your CV, revising for PLAB or a Royal College examination.. whatever it may be.. this is important for both your mental health and your future goals. We are aware that due to the Covid-19 pandemic the majority of exams have been cancelled or delayed – thus, giving you extra time to be used efficiently towards preparation and ensuring you have the relevant study materials. Please note, BDI Resourcing have a variety of useful Blogs and Vlogs that can be found on our Facebook, our website and our YouTube channel, that might come in handy when revising!

  The Medical Training Initiative (MTI) is a national scheme designed to allow a small number of doctors to enter the UK from overseas for a maximum of 24 months, so that they can benefit from training and development in NHS services before returning to their home countries. However, many Doctors decide to switch to a normal role within the NHS either during or after their MTI placement. In light of this, the following Blog article aims to outline how to switch to a normal role after the MTI scheme.   Can I switch Visas? In regards to Visa’s, all participants of the MTI scheme will be granted a Tier 5 Visa and this is what they will have throughout the 2 year placement. In normal circumstances, the Tier 5 regulations state that a Doctor can’t move directly to a Tier 2 Visa however they can return to their home country once their Tier 5 Visa expires to then apply for a different Visa with a valid CoS. These regulations however have changed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown measures. Due to travel restrictions and government regulations, Doctors can now switch from a Tier 5, 4, Dependent, and Visit Visa to a Tier 2 Visa if they have an ‘employer who assigns them a Certificate of Sponsorship’. This means that those on the MTI scheme or those completing the MTI scheme can, at current, switch to a Tier 2 Visa. How do I find a suitable job? On completion of the MTI scheme, applying for your first NHS Job is the same process as any other Doctor. You will need to consider what job it is you would like to obtain and what location in the UK you would prefer to relocate to. Additionally before sending off any applications, make sure your CV and references are up to date. Once you are ready to start the application process you can choose to use a recruitment agency and/or the NHS Jobs website. If you are at this stage in the process, send your CV to BDI Resourcing ([email protected]) and we will help you with your job search. One of our recruiters will be in contact with you shortly after you send us your CV and will talk you through the opportunities we have available to you.   How can we help? If you’re a doctor considering leaving the MTI scheme in search of an NHS position or you have completed the scheme and are ready to find your first NHS position, BDI Resourcing can offer support with this. Email your CV to [email protected] and one of our recruiters will be in contact regarding open vacancies. We will also provide you with interview support and preparation. 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 to the group every day. We will also be on hand to answer any 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 with 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 obtaining GMC registration and securing an NHS job.   References Academy of Medical Royal Colleges. 2020. Medical Training Initiative - Academy Of Medical Royal Colleges. [online] Available at: <https://www.aomrc.org.uk/medical-training-initiative/> [Accessed 21 May 2020].

Whilst many international doctors decide they’d like to work in London, or even live in London, it is important to note that London is extremely diverse, with each area offering something different. The London boroughs are the 32 local authority districts that make up Greater London; each is governed by a different London borough council. This blog posts aims to provide a quick overview of each of the different Boroughs, providing information on their location within London, their population and the schooling available.   Barking and Dagenham Barking and Dageeham lie to the East of Central London. It is an Outer London Borough. There are 5 infant schools, 5 junior schools, 35 primary schools, and 8 secondary schools in the borough with an overall population of 211,998. Barnet Barnet is a suburban borough located in North London. It is an Outer London borough and the largest by population, with 385,000 inhabitants. According to the governments website, there are 127 primary schools and a further 54 secondary schools located in the borough. Bexley Bexley is a South London borough, forming part of Outer London, boasting over 1500 acres of open space and green parkland. The population within the borough lies at 247, 300. The borough has a total of 73 Primary Schools and a further 23 Secondary Schools. Brent Brent is located in NorthWest London, forming part of Outer London. The major areas of the borough include Wembley, Kilburn, Willesden and Neasden. According to the governments website Brent has both 86 Primary Schools and 28 Secondary schools, with an overall borough population of 330,800. Bromley Bromley is the largest of all of the London boroughs, and promotes itself as the ‘clean and green’ borough, with a total of 331,100 inhabitants. The borough is the southeasternmost of the all 32 boroughs. Within Bromley there are 97 primary schools and a further 39 secondary schools. Camden The Borough of Camden is a borough located in North West London. Camden is one of London’s liveliest boroughs and the centre of varied shopping outlets, with fashion, antiques, music, arts and crafts filling the streets in markets and boutiques. Camden holds 74 primary schools and 32 secondary schools, with a total borough population of 262, 230. The city of Westminster The city of Westminster is an Inner London Borough that holds city status. The population currently lies at around 255, 400, with 67 Primary Schools and 40 Secondary Schools in the borough. Westminster has a lot to offer, from Buckingham Palace and the Houses of Parliament, to some of the best Shopping in London including Covent Garden, Soho and Carnaby Street. Croyden Croyden is located in South London, placed between the city and Gatwick, with excellent rail links into the capital. Croyden boasts one of the most extensive shopping centers outside London’s west end, and is home to over 385,000 people. The borough hosts 110 Primary schools and 47 Secondary Schools. Ealing Ealing is arguably one of West London’s most attractive boroughs, comprising of several major towns including Southall, Acton and Perivale. Ealing has 91 state run schools and nurseries, with an overall amount of 92 Primary Schools and 34 Secondary Schools. The population of the borough lies at 341,900. Enfield Enfield borough is located 12 miles North from the centre of London, and is known as a diverse place, welcoming communities from across the world. Enfield is the home to 333,869 people, and has 94 Secondary Schools and 37 Secondary Schools. Greenwhich Greenwhich lies on the South bank of the thames and is rich in maritime history and architectural heritage. The borough contains 73 Primary Schools and 32 Secondary, with a total population of around 286,186. Hackney Hackney is an inner London borough, possessing a rich mix of cultures and traditions and located 5 miles North East of Charing Cross. The population of Hackney rests at around 279,665 and the borough contains 90 Primary Schools and a further 43 Secondary Schools. Hammersmith and Fulham Hammersmith and Fulham is a borough that brims with history and diversity, partly in West London and partly in South West London, forming part of Inner London. The resident population was just over 182,000 at the Last census, with the sixth highest population density in England and Wales. Theree are now 41 Primary Schools in the borough and a further 12 Secondary Schools. Haringey Haringey is located in North London, classified by some as part of Inner London. There are 83 Primary Schools and 24 Secondary Schools in the borough, with a total resident population of 270,624. Harrow Harrow is the largest district in North West London, with a population of 250,149. It has a large town centre boasting two shopping centres and shops throughout Station Road and College Road. The borough contains 58 Primary Schools, 25 Secondary Schools, Harrow School and is home to a University of Westminster Campus. Havering The borough of Havering is in East London, forming part of the Outer Zone. The borough is mainly surburban, however half of Havering is situation in the ‘Green Belt’, boasting three country parks and large areas of open space, with a total population of 257,850. The principle town is Romford. There are 70 Primary Schools and 26 Secondary Schools contained within the Borough. Hillingdon Hillingdon is London’s least densely populated borough, with a large amount of ‘Green Belt’ land that includes over 800 acres of woodland, including The Colne Valley, a a beautiful spot for walking, fishing and birdwatching. Here there are 84 Primary Schools and 34 Secondary Schools and a total population of 304,824. Hounslow The borough of Hounslow is in West London, forming part of the Outer Zone, boasting a wealth of beautiful parks, open country areas and riverside walks. The borough has a population of 270,782 and has access to both 71 Primary Schools and 30 Secondary Schools. Islington Islington is an Inner borough of London, with an estimated population of 240,000. The vibrant borough boasts a thriving fringe theatre and literary scene as well as a wealth of fantastic restaurants. The borough consists of 58 Primary Schools and a further 20 Secondary Schools. Kensington and Chelsea Kensington and Chelsea is the smallest of all of the boroughs, known for it’s thriving atmosphere, and central location. It is one of the most densely populated regions in the United Kingdom. The borough itself has an estimated population of 196,197. In the South-West of the borough is Notting Hill, one of the most famous and attractive parts of London, home to Portobello Road and host of Notting Hill Carnival. The borough has 60 Primary Schools and 30 Secondary Schools. Kingston-Upon-Thames Kingston is a bustling market town, beautifully situated on the banks of the River Thames, located in South West London. The borough itself is perfect for commuting with many transport links to and from the centre, with a population of 175, 470. Kingston-Upon-Thames has access to 49 Primary Schools and a further 21 Secondary Schools. Lambeth The London borough of Lambeth is a long, thin borough, home to many diverse communities as well as the cultural hub of South Bank. Lambeth’s civic centre is Brixton, known as a highly multi-cultural area, with a thriving shopping centre and market. The borough has a population of 325, 920 and hosts 72 Primary Schools and 27 Secondary Schools. Lewisham Lewisham is an Inner South London Borough.  The borough has 72 Primary Schools and 27 Secondary Schools and is home to 303,536 people. Lewisham benefits from attractive residential neighborhoods and one of the highest number of green spaces in London. Merton Merton is a borough in South West London, home to the legendary Wimbledon Tennis Championships. Merton has an estimated population of 206,186 with 60 Primary Schools and a further 20 Secondary Schools. Newham Newham is in the heart of East London and is one of the most diverse places in the country, with more than 200 dialects spoken. The borough is also home to London City Airport, the Olympic Stadium and Westfield Stratford City, with a total population of 352,000. The borough has access to 86 Primary Schools and a further 30 Secondary Schools. Redbridge The Borough of Redbridge is in East London, known as the ‘leafy borough’ as one quarter of it is covered by forest land and greenery. Redbridge is family-orientated with an abundance of sports pitches and children’s play areas. The population sits at 303,858 and according to the governments website, there are 76 Primary Schools and 28 Secondary Schools available in Redbridge borough. Richmond Upon Thames Richmond Upon-Thames is in the South West of the Outer London Zone and is the only borough on both sides of the River Thames. For sports fans, Richmond Upon Thames hosts Twickenham Stadium, the home of English Rugby. The borough boasts magnificent houses and gardens with a further 100 green parks and open spaces. The population of the borough lies at an estimated 196, 900 and there are 69 Primary Schools including nurseries and a further 30 Secondary schools. Southwark Southwark borough is in South London, home to the Shard, Tate Modern, Shakespares Globe Theatre and the Imperial War Museum. Southwark has 86 Primary Schools and 34 Secondary Schools, with a total borough population of 317,256. Sutton Sutton is located in South West Outer London with a population of 204,525. The borough is known for being excitingly diverse with lots of historical attractions. In regards to education, the borough does have 49 Primary Schools and 24 Secondary Schools including Academies and Nurseries.  Tower Hamlets Tower Hamlets is situated in the East of London and includes one of the highest ethnic minority populations in the capital with an established British Bangladeshis business and residential community. The borough hosts 84 Primary Schools including nurseries and a further 32 Secondary Schools including colleges, whilst having an estimated population of 317,705. Waltham Forest Waltham Forest borough lies to the North East of central London, made up of three neighborhoods: Chingford in the north, Walthamstow in the centre and Leyton and Leytonstone in the south. It is a diverse borough with 62% of residents being from minority ethnic backgrounds. The population is estimated as 276,700 and according to the Government’s website, the borough is home to 66 Primary Schools and 27 Secondary Schools. Wandsworth Wandsworth is a picturesque borough set in the heart of South West London on the banks of the Thames and hosts 98 Primary schools including nurseries and a further 35 Secondary Schools. The population is estimated as 326, 474. Wandsworth is home to Clapham Junction railway station, the country’s busiest station. The borough also features some of London’s most well-known open spaces, including Wimbledon Common, Battersea Park and Wandsworth Common.   Relocation to the UK If you are an international doctor who would like to relocate to the UK and join the NHS, 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 blogs and vlogs 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 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: LondonTown. (2020). LondonTown.com | The 33 London Boroughs. [online] Available at: http://www.londontown.com/LondonStreets/ [Accessed 18 Feb. 2020]. London City Hall. (2020). In my area. [online] Available at: https://www.london.gov.uk/in-my-area [Accessed 19 Feb. 2020]. GOV.UK. (2020). Find and compare schools in England. [online] Available at: https://www.gov.uk/school-performance-tables?_ga=2.165587199.1104033110.1582027266-1753129673.1579865603 [Accessed 19 Feb. 2020].

Many Doctors make the decision to change the NHS Trust that they are working for once they have completed their current contract of employment. With this in mind, the following blog article aims to outline the things you need to consider before changing Trusts, whether you need to apply for a new Visa and what costs this will infer.   What do I do if I want to change NHS Trusts? If you make the decision that you would like to change Trusts, you need to make sure you’re equipped and ready to do so. So, what steps should you follow when considering moving to a new NHS Trust? Gather references from your current employer It is vital that you have up-to-date references when applying for a new job, as this will not only increase your chances of being hired but will also mean you can keep a good relationship with your past employer in between the hiring process. Staying connected to co-workers from previous positions goes beyond just getting a good reference, it can expand your network and open doors for future NHS job opportunities. Update your CV   When applying for a new Job you must make sure your CV is up-to-date and is displayed and written in a clear, concise yet informative manner. Spend some time on your CV as this is your first impression to your new employer. If you would like a copy of BDI Resourcing’s medical CV template, send us an email and we’ll be happy to provide you with one. Consider where you want to be in the UK One of the first things you need to consider before you decide to leave your current position, is where you would like to be in the UK, as this factor will define your job search. Ask yourself, are you happy to commute? Do you want to be in a City or in the Countryside? Is there a good choice of schooling for your children? How much will it cost to buy or rent in the area? Such questions will inform you of the type of location it is that you want to work. Once you have a better idea of where it is you want to be in the UK, your job search will be more informed and you’ll be ready to accept a job offer if one comes your way.   Do I need to apply for a new Visa and what are the costs? If you are changing to a different NHS Trust you will need to apply for a Tier 2 intra company transfer, which will require a Certificate of Sponsorship from your new employer. This is essentially the same process as applying for a new Tier 2 Visa, which will remain valid for your new employment period. You can apply for a new Visa up to three months before the day you are due to start your new employment, and a decision on your Visa will be made within 3 weeks. The cost of this application is currently £704 per person, excluding the annual Immigration Health Surcharge fee.   How can we help? If you’re a doctor considering changing  NHS Trust and would like support with this, email your CV to [email protected] and we can support you on your journey. 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 to the group every day. We will also be on hand to answer any 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 with 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 obtaining GMC registration and securing an NHS job.   References   Resourcing, B., 2020. How To Write A Good Medical CV. [online] BDI Resourcing. Available at: <https://bdiresourcing.com/news/2019/09/how-to-write-a-good-medical-cv/367> [Accessed 20 May 2020]. GOV.UK. 2020. Intra-Company Transfer Visa (Tier 2). [online] Available at: <https://www.gov.uk/tier-2-intracompany-transfer-worker-visa/apply> [Accessed 20 May 2020]. PrismHR. 2020. Professional References: Why Job References On A Resume Are Important. [online] Available at: <https://www.prismhr.com/best-practices/professional-references-why-job-references-on-a-resume-are-important/> [Accessed 20 May 2020].

Norwich is a vibrant City in Norfolk, situated on the River Wensum in the East Anglian countryside with an estimated population of 132,512. The City is within easy reach of London, Cambridge and the Norfolk coast with a thriving medieval centre, rich in historic architecture. The Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust carries out nearly one million outpatient appointments, day case procedures and inpatient admissions annually. The Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital is a 1,200 bed teaching hospital with state-of-the-art facilities for modern patient care with more than 8,000 members of staff. Facts About Norwich Norwich was the first place in the UK to use postcodes. Norwich has the largest walled centre and longest run of medieval defences in England. Norwich started as a small Anglo-Saxon settlement north of the river Wensum. Known as North Wic. The name Norwich first appears on a coin minted in the early 10th Century.  A thousand years ago, Norwich was the second-largest city in England, behind London. Norwhich has the title of being one of the safest cities in the UK, with a consistent record of having some of the lowest crime rates recorded. Norwich market is one of the oldest and largest open air markets in the country. Legendary theatre actor Sir John Mills and author of His Dark Materials Phillip Pullman, were both born in Norwich Norwich Cathedral has the second-tallest spire in England, exceeded only by Salisbury Cathedral.   Cost of Living in Norwich Cost of Renting Accommodation per month One-Bedroom Apartment in the City Centre £606.67 One-Bedroom Apartment outside of the City Centre £487.50 Three-Bedroom Apartment in the City Centre £937.50 Three-Bedroom Apartment outside of the City Centre £819.44   Transportation 1ltr Petrol £1.31 One-Way Public Transport Ticket £2.50 Monthly Public Transport Ticket £60.00 1km Taxi Journey £1.24   Entertainment Meal out for two in a local pub £20.00 Meal out for two in a mid-range restaurant, 3 courses £120.00 Cinema tickets for two people £20.00 One-month gym membership £28.14 Tennis court rental for 1 hour on the weekend £6.00 Beer 0.5ltr bottle £4.22 Coke/Pepsi 0.33ltr bottle £1.25 Cappuccino £2.50   Time it Takes to Travel by Train from Norwich to Cities in the UK City Time it Takes to Travel London 1 Hour 57 Minutes Bristol 4 Hours 41 Minutes Cardiff 5 Hours 38 Minutes Manchester 5 Hours 6 Minutes Newcastle 5 Hours 44 Minutes Birmingham 3 Hours 48 Minutes Liverpool 5 Hours 22 Minutes Edinburgh 6 Hours 25 Minutes   Education in Norwich According to the government website, Norwich has access to 24 Secondary Schools and 61 Primary Schools. To find out more information about term dates, applications, standards, curriculum and general education, visit the Norfolk County Council Education website here. Norwich is also home to both the Norwich University of Arts (NUA) and the University of East Anglia (UEA). The NUA is a dynamic and creative community providing arts, design, architecture and media education to around 2,000 students and is home to international learners from over 40 countries. The UEA is ranked in the UK Top 25 (The Times/Sunday Times 2020 and Complete University Guide 2020), and the World Top 200 Universities (The Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2020).  The University is home to around 20,000 students and offers 450 undergraduate and postgraduate courses. Things to do in Norwich: Shopping Norwich has been ranked in the Top 10 shopping cities in the UK.  As well as the market, there are also two modern shopping malls, or you may visit the quaint and historic Royal Arcade and Norwich Lanes, where you can find independent shops, cafés, restaurants, galleries and an abundance of other cultural exhibitions. Norfolk and Norwich festival For 17 days each May, the Festival transforms Norwich’s public spaces, city streets, performance venues, parks, forests and beaches, bringing people together to experience the same brilliant and inspirational events. The flagship arts festival for the East of England spans music, theatre, literature, visual arts, circus, dance and free outdoor events. Broads National Park One of the UK’s 15 National Parks, the Broad’s beautiful landscape, diverse wildlife and important cultural heritage are all protected – meaning they can be enjoyed for many years to come. The Broads National park is made up of over 60 open water areas, with more than 125 miles of lock free waterways and home to more than a quarter of Britain’s rarest animals and plants. Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery  The museum & art gallery holds significant objects from the region, especially works of art, archaeological finds and natural history specimens. The castle is one of the city's Norwich 12 heritage sites. Here you can also tour of the castle keep, battlements, dungeons and the Victorian Shirehall courthouse. Relocation to Norwich If you’re an international doctor looking to relocate to Norwich, 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 Moneysprite.com. 2020. 10 Facts About Norwich | Money Sprite. [online] Available at: <https://moneysprite.com/node/532> [Accessed 11 May 2020]. The English Experience. 2020. Welcome To Norwich - The English Experience. [online] Available at: <https://www.englishexp.co.uk/about-norwich/> [Accessed 11 May 2020]. Nnuh.nhs.uk. 2020. Norfolk And Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust » Quality Of Care. [online] Available at: <http://www.nnuh.nhs.uk/about-us/quality-of-care/> [Accessed 11 May 2020]. Living, C. and Kingdom, U., 2020. Cost Of Living In Norwich. [online] Numbeo.com. Available at: <https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/in/Norwich> [Accessed 11 May 2020]. Norwich University of the Arts. 2020. International Students | Norwich University Of The Arts. [online] Available at: <https://www.nua.ac.uk/study-at-nua/international-students/> [Accessed 11 May 2020]. Museums, N., 2020. What's Here - Norfolk Museums. [online] Museums.norfolk.gov.uk. Available at: <https://www.museums.norfolk.gov.uk/norwich-castle/whats-here> [Accessed 11 May 2020].

1. When will Visa centres reopen?   Unfortunately this is not something that we can provide an answer too. Visa offices will reopen when the government believes it is safe to do so. To keep updated on your local Visa office and the services it is currently offering, see the following: If you’re in Europe, Africa and Parts of the Middle East, follow the link here to TLS Contact, and select the location where you are going to submit your Visa Application If you’re in any other country, follow the link here to VFS Global and select the location of submission.   2. My Trust is not issuing a COS despite my job offer, why and what should I do? Do not worry if you are in this situation. A lot of Trusts will not be issuing CoS’s due to the fact they know that Visa centres are closed. Simply put, there is no point in issuing a CoS to you if you can’t apply for a Visa. Keep patient, and once the pandemic begins to ease, your Trust will issue you your CoS.   3. I know someone who has received a CoS but I haven’t received mine? As previously stated, do not worry! It will vary from Trust to Trust whether CoS’s are getting issued. Those that have received a CoS will be in a situation where it will expire.   4. My 30 day vignette has expired. What do I do now? If your 30 day visa to travel to the UK for work, study or to join family has expired, or is about to expire, you can request a replacement visa with revised validity dates free of charge until the end of this year. To make a request, contact the Coronavirus Immigration Help Centre. You’ll need to include your name, nationality, date of birth and your GWF reference number with ‘REPLACEMENT 30 DAY VISA’ in the subject line. If you’ve already contacted us about this, please let us know in your email. You’ll be contacted when our VACs reopen to arrange for a replacement visa to be endorsed in your passport. You will not be penalised for being unable collect your BRP while coronavirus measures are in place. This process will be in place until the end of 2020.   5. I want to switch to a Tier 2 Visa from the UK but Visa Centres are closed. What do I do? This Switch is only valid until the 31st May 2020 and is only for those currently in the UK. All documents such as your Police Certificate and GMC registration will be required. This includes applications where you would usually need to apply for a visa from your home country. You’ll need to meet the requirements of the route you are applying for and pay the UK application fee. This includes those whose leave has already been automatically extended to 31 March 2020. You can apply online. The terms of your leave will remain the same until your application is decided. Where you would normally have to attend a Biometrics appointment, these are currently not taking place. You will however need to attend one of these, once social distancing measures have been lifted.  6. I have applied to switch to a Tier 2 Visa from the UK. What happens next? If you’ve applied for a Tier 2 or 5 visa and are waiting for a decision on your application You can start work before your visa application has been decided if:you have been assigned a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) you submitted your application before your current visa expired and you show your sponsor evidence of this the job you start is the same as the one listed on your CoS If your application is eventually rejected as invalid or refused your sponsor will stop sponsoring you and you must stop working for them.   7. My Exams have been delayed due to Corona Virus, can I get a temporary Visa to come and work in the NHS whilst waiting? Unfortunately not. In order to work within the NHS you will need full GMC Registration, which will require you to complete your relevant exams. Once you have registration you will then be eligible to apply for a Visa through your job offer. We’re advising all of our Doctors who are experiencing exam delays to stay patient and use this time to study.  

Emergency Medicine, also referred to in the UK as A&E, ER and ED, is arguably the most in demand specialty within the NHS. Working as an Emergency Medicine Doctor in the NHS gives you the opportunity to secure jobs offering competitive salary, excellent career progression and access to specialty training.   What should I know? Emergency physicians will be expected to liaise with other specialties, coordinating the initial phase of a patients journey through the hospitals A&E department. They also interact with many people during the shift, including patients, nurses, relatives, junior doctors, consultant colleagues, ambulance crews and even the police. One very important thing to note, is that Doctors working in Emergency Medicine should expect to do an appreciable amount of night time and weekend work as ED’s are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, making this a very demanding and rewarding specialty.   Where will I be based? On a general basis, if you are a Doctor working in Emergency Medicine you will predominantly be in the specific hospitals A&E department, however some posts will be carried out in trauma centres, walk-in centres and in-patient hospitals.   What is the difference between Emergency Departments and Trauma Centres? The Emergency Department is where patients go when they need emergency assistance, whether it be a sprained ankle, a heart attack or a stroke. In this way, the ED is a varied unit that has the facilities, doctors and expertise to handle almost any ‘emergency’ medical situation. Trauma Centres are normally located within the ED, however some major units will be separate from the hospital. Here they handle the most extreme Emergency cases or life-threatening injuries. Here you’ll find highly trained physicians who specialise in treating traumatic injuries, who will include: Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgeons Neurosurgeons Cardiac Surgeons Radiologists Nurses   As a method of comparison, the following table aims to highlight the difference in medical cases in both Trauma and ED units:   Emergency Department Trauma Centre Broken Bones Fainting or loss of consciousness Heart attacks Burns Strokes Severe vomiting/diarrhoea Severe pains Gunshot and stab wounds Major burns Serious Road Traffic Accidents Blunt trauma Brain or Head Injuries Amputations Relocating to the UK If you are an international Emergency Medicine doctor 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 Unitypoint.org. 2020. ER Vs. Trauma Center: What's The Difference? (Infographic). [online] Available at: <https://www.unitypoint.org/livewell/article.aspx?id=cafe17aa-df46-410c-9b6d-7855bf760f83> [Accessed 12 May 2020]. UPMC HealthBeat. 2020. What Is A Trauma Center? | Trauma System Levels | ER Or Trauma?. [online] Available at: <https://share.upmc.com/2016/05/what-is-a-trauma-center/> [Accessed 12 May 2020]. London Ambulance Service NHS Trust. 2020. Emergency Trauma Care - London Ambulance Service NHS Trust. [online] Available at: <https://www.londonambulance.nhs.uk/calling-us/emergency-trauma-care/> [Accessed 12 May 2020].

The GMC and BMA have now confirmed their decision to award CCT to Doctors studying in the UK, under the CESR CP training pathway. Whilst the pathways will remain the same in that CESR CP is for Doctors who have started their studies overseas and completed them in the UK, and CCT is for Doctors who complete all of their training in the UK, the certification on completion will be the same and viewed equally. A GMC spokesperson stated:  ‘We recognise that CCT can be seen as a more portable qualification outside the UK, but we are clear that there is equal value between a CESR-CP and a CCT.   Why does this matter and what does this actually mean? If you are an international Doctor who wants to apply for a permanent Consultant position within the UK, you will need to have completed CCT, CESR-CP or CESR. These three routes differ dependant on the amount of training completing in the UK. Whilst the UK considers all three of these pathways equivalent, CESR is often considered inferior to CCT by overseas authorities. This decision to grant all Doctors who complete the CESR CP pathway  CCT highlights the GMC’s recognition of the difficulty that international Doctors face when aiming to transfer their certification overseas.   When is this being put into place? The change is due to take effect from the 18th May 2020.   What happens if I’ve already completed my CESR CP? Doctors who already hold their CESR-CP certification will be eligible to apply to the GMC to be retrospectively granted CCT.   Relocation If you’re a doctor considering specialist registration in the UK and would like support relocating and finding a job in the NHS, email your CV to [email protected] and we can support you 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 relocate to the UK and join the NHS. We post a series of blogs and vlogs to the group every day. We will also be on hand to answer any 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 with 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 obtaining GMC registration and securing an NHS job.   References: https://www.bma.org.uk/news-and-opinion/gmc-simplifies-access-to-cct  

Peterborough is a rapidly growing Cathedral city in the heart of rural Eastern England with an estimated population of 202,000. The city shares borders with Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire and boasts excellent transport links with London being a 50 minute train journey away. The North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust runs three busy hospitals serving around 700,000 residents living in Peterborough, Cambridgeshire and the surrounding communities and employs around 6,320 staff members. Peterborough City Hospital is a state of the art, purpose built facility, with 635 inpatient beds, a Haematology/Oncology Unit, including a recently-expanded radiotherapy suite, an expanded Renal Unit, an Emergency Centre with a separate children’s emergency department, a dedicated Women’s and Children’s unit, a cardiac unit, a respiratory investigations facility and full diagnostic imaging facilities.  Facts About Peterborough In 2018 Peterborough celebrated 900 years of it’s historic cathedral The well renowned Cathedral is where Henry the Eigth’s first wife Katherine of Aragon is buried. Peterborough Museum and Art Gallery, has a collection of some 227,000 objects, Peterborough is one of the UK’s 4 future city demonstrators and home to the country’s largest cluster of environmental businesses. Relative to the rest of the UK, the Peterborough area is sunnier than many places, with annual totals averaging nearly 1,600 hours a year. In 2018, Peterborough was temporarily home to Tim Peake's Soyuz spacecraft, which transported him to and from the International Space Station in 2015-2016.   Cost of Living in Peterborough Cost of Renting Accommodation per month One-Bedroom Apartment in the City Centre £675.00 One-Bedroom Apartment outside of the City Centre £556.25 Three-Bedroom Apartment in the City Centre £850.00 Three-Bedroom Apartment outside of the City Centre £767.14   Transportation 1ltr Petrol £1.28 One-Way Public Transport Ticket £2.90 Monthly Public Transport Ticket £61.52 1km Taxi Journey £1.06   Entertainment Meal out for two in a local pub £22.50 Meal out for two in a mid-range restaurant, 3 courses £100.00 Cinema tickets for two people £20.00 One-month gym membership £27.50 Tennis court rental for 1 hour on the weekend £7.25 Beer 0.5ltr bottle £3.00 Coke/Pepsi 0.33ltr bottle £1.22 Cappuccino £3.05   Time it Takes to Travel by Train from Peterborough to Cities in the UK: City Time it Takes to Travel London  50 Minutes Bristol  3 Hours 42 Minutes Cardiff  3 Hours 48 Minutes Manchester  2 Hours 45 Minutes Newcastle  2 Hours 23 Minutes Birmingham  2 Hours 50 Minutes Liverpool  3 Hours 35 Minutes Edinburgh  4 Hours 4 Minutes   Education in Peterborough: According to Peterborough City Council Website, Peterborough has access to 60 Primary Schools, 13 Secondary Schools, 9 Special schools and a further 3 colleges for Further Education. To find out more information about term dates, applications, standards, curriculum and general education, visit the website here. Things to do in Peterborough: Queensgate Centre and West Gate Arcade Peterborough’s award-winning Queensgate Centre has over 90 stores, including John Lewis, Superdry, Primark and Fat face, and is complemented by independent boutique outlets in the adjoining Westgate Arcade. There are also regular specialist farmers’ markets and a longstanding covered market located in the heart of the city which has seen a recent surge in new street food outlets serving up a range of tasty treats. Nene Park Nene Park is a country park in the city of Peterborough With 2,000 acres of park land, stretching out for 11 km from the city centre. Whether it’s water sports, cycling or golf that you prefer, there’s plenty to keep you, your family and your friends busy.  Peterborough Beer Festival Now in its 42nd year, this five-day celebration showcases the very best real ale, real cider, key keg and craft beer. In addition to the massive range of drinks, the location on the embankment of the River Nene in the heart of the city creates the perfect festival atmosphere.  Vivacity Key Theatre The Key Theatre is an entertainment venue and sits right beside the River Nene. The Key Theatre hosts over 300 plays, screenings, comedy nights and music events every year, as well as Peterborough’s longest running traditional family pantomime (since 1973). The theatre has a restaurant, bar, multiple rehearsal and conference rooms and two auditoriums - a 360 seat main house and a 112 seat ‘black box’ studio theatre.   Relocation to Peterborough: If you’re an international doctor looking to relocate to Peterborough, 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 Nwangliaft.nhs.uk. 2020. About Us - North West Anglia Foundation Trust. [online] Available at: <https://www.nwangliaft.nhs.uk/about-us/> [Accessed 4 May 2020]. Nwangliaft.nhs.uk. 2020. Peterborough City Hospital - North West Anglia Foundation Trust. [online] Available at: <https://www.nwangliaft.nhs.uk/our-hospitals/peterborough-city-hospital/> [Accessed 4 May 2020]. Living, C. and Kingdom, U., 2020. Cost Of Living In Peterborough. [online] Numbeo.com. Available at: <https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/in/Peterborough> [Accessed 4 May 2020]. University Centre Peterborough. 2020. About Peterborough. [online] Available at: <https://www.ucp.ac.uk/about-peterborough/> [Accessed 4 May 2020]. Vivacity Peterborough. 2020. Vivacity's Key Theatre. [online] Available at: <https://www.vivacity.org/theatres/vivacity-s-key-theatre/> [Accessed 4 May 2020].

This blog article aims to provide insight into what working as a Paediatrician in the UK is like and more specifically aims to explain the different levels of Paediatrics and Neonatology.   What roles are there within Paediatrics? As a Paediatrician, your job is to diagnose and treat health conditions that affect babies, children and young people. Paediatrics can be divided into 4 main areas: General Paediatrics – hospital role covering children up to the age of 16. All paediatricians will start their training in General Paediatrics and then some will choose to apply for a Paediatric subspecialty (also known as ‘Grid’). Neonatology – this role specialises in looking after newly born babies. This is usually based within an Intensive care unit and Doctors specifically look after premature babies or those with problems at birth Community Paediatrics – these doctors are based within the community and look after children with developmental, social and behavioural problems as well as those with a physical disability Paediatric Cardiology – This is a smaller area of Paediatrics whereby Doctors diagnose and treat children with heart conditions. Whilst each of these 4 areas are profoundly different in their focus, your day-to-day duties as a Paediatrician working in any one of these, may include: assessing children who are ill, injured or have disabilities referring patients to specialist consultants for tests prescribing medication, surgery or therapies explaining diagnosis and treatment plans to parents and children writing patient notes and producing medical reports for professionals monitoring patient progress and responses to treatments supervising and training junior medical staff It is important to note that these four areas of Paediatrics can be further broken down into multiple sub-specialties (‘Grid’). At level 3 of training (ST6-8), paediatric trainees are eligible to sub-specialise and on completion of an approved programme, enter onto the GMC Specialist Register as a Paediatrician with sub-specialty. This process is called NTN Grid Recruitment. Paediatric sub-specialties include, but are not limited to: Nephrology Neurodisability Neurology Oncology Intensive care Respiratory Mental Health Emergency Rheumatology Inherited Metabolic Diabetes and Endocrinology Gastroenterology, hepatology and nutrition   Levels of Care There are different levels or Tiers within Paediatrics, specifically Neonatology, and these are named depending on the level of specialist care they offer and provide. As a simple breakdown, the Levels of care are as follows: Level 1) Low level dependency Level 2) Increased level of support and care for children who may need short-term intensive care Level 3) Highest level of Support within Dependency Wards, Tertiary Centres and Intensive Care Units More specifically, within Neonatology, the levels can be broken down further. Some Job Adverts may be listed as ‘Paediatrics with Level 1 Neonatology’ or Level 2 or 3. These levels correspond to the specific procedures and care provided within the department.   Level 1: Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU, sometimes called Low Dependency) This is for babies who do not need intensive care and are often born after 32 week’s gestation. The role of a Doctor within this ward may include, but is not limited to: Monitor babies breathing or heart rate Give the baby more oxygen Treat low body temperature Treat low blog sugar Helping baby feed, sometimes by using a tube Helping babies who become unwell shortly after birth Treatment of jaundice (sometimes treated in post-natal or transitional care units)   Level 2: Local Neonatal Unit (LNU) This is for babies who need a higher level of medical and nursing support. If a baby has been or is due to be born between 28 and 32 weeks gestation, it may be transferred to an LNU. The role of a Doctor within this ward may include, but is not limited to: Provide Breathing support given through their windpipe Short-term intensive care Care during short periods where baby stops breathing (apnoea) Continuous positive airway pressure or high flow therapy for breathing support Feeding through a drip in baby’s vein (parenteral nutrition) Provide cooling treatment for babies who have had difficult births or are unwell soon after birth Helping babies who become unwell shortly after birth   Level 3: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) This is for babies who need the highest level of medical and nursing support. Often these babies will have been born before 28 week’s gestation, or be very unwell after birth. Babies are cared for here when they: Need breathing support Have a severe respiratory disease Need or have just had surgery   Relocating to the UK If you are an international Paediatric doctor 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. 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 RCPCH. 2020. Sub-Specialty Training (NTN Grid) - Application Guidance. [online] Available at: [Accessed 5 May 2020]. RCPCH. 2020. Choose Paediatrics. [online] Available at: [Accessed 5 May 2020]. Health Careers. 2020. Paediatrics. [online] Available at: [Accessed 5 May 2020]. Bliss. 2020. What Are The Different Levels Of Neonatal Care? | Bliss. [online] Available at: [Accessed 5 May 2020].

Coventry is a city in central England, known for being the home to rich history, ancient legends and an abundance of unique arts and culture. The city itself is just one hour from London by train with great transport links to surrounding areas. The estimated population of Coventry lies at 366,800 residents, making it the 9th biggest city in England and the twelfth 12th in the UK. University Hospitals Coventry and Warwick NHS Trust (UHCW) operates from two sites; University Hospital Coventry and the Hospital of St Cross in Rugby, and maintains a strong focus on the provision of high quality, safe and effective patient care. The Trust provides both emergency and elective care and specialises in cardiology, neurosurgery, stroke, joint replacements, in vitro fertilisation (IVF) and maternal health, diabetes and kidney transplants. They are also a designated major trauma and cancer centre. The Trust employs over 8,700 staff and delivers acute healthcare to the population of Coventry & Rugby as well as more specialist services to that population and regionally. Facts About Coventry Coventry is due to be the host city for the common wealth games in 2022 George Eliot lived and went to school in Coventry.  Life in the city around 1830 was the model for Middlemarch, her most famous novel. All modern bicycles are descended from John Kemp Starley's Rover safety cycle, invented in Coventry in 1885. Coventry Transport Museum has the biggest collection of British made cars, motorcycles and bicycles in the world. Coventry has 26 twin towns and cities, including Volgograd (formerly Stalingrad), Dresden and Jinan in China. Coventry is further from the coast than any other city in Britain.   Cost of Living in Coventry Cost of Renting Accommodation per month One-Bedroom Apartment in the City Centre £684.17 One-Bedroom Apartment outside of the City Centre £558.21 Three-Bedroom Apartment in the City Centre £1327.27 Three-Bedroom Apartment outside of the City Centre £895.83   Transportation 1ltr Petrol £1.25 One-Way Public Transport Ticket £2.20 Monthly Public Transport Ticket £51.20 1km Taxi Journey £1.54   Entertainment Meal out for two in a local pub £20.00 Meal out for two in a mid-range restaurant, 3 courses £90.00 Cinema tickets for two people £20.00 One-month gym membership £23.18 Tennis court rental for 1 hour on the weekend £6.25 Beer 0.5ltr bottle £3.50 Coke/Pepsi 0.33ltr bottle £1.13 Cappuccino £2.69   Time it Takes to Travel by Train from Coventry to Cities in the UK: City Time it Takes to Travel London  1 Hour Bristol  2 Hours Cardiff  2 Hours 45 Minutes Manchester  1 Hours 57 Minutes Newcastle  4 Hours 2 Minutes Birmingham  23 Minutes Liverpool  2 Hours 30 Minutes Edinburgh  5 Hours 36 Minutes   Education in Coventry: According to the government website, Coventry has access to 102 Primary Schools, 35 Secondary Schools and a further 33 colleges for 16 to 18 year old’s. To find out more information about term dates, applications, standards, curriculum and general education, visit the Coventry City Council website here. Coventry is also home to it’s own University. Coventry University was awarded a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework (2017) and offers a wide range of exciting undergraduate and postgraduate courses, both online and on-campus! The University has 34,985 students and widely welcomes international students.   Things to do in Coventry: Coventry Transport Museum In the heart of Coventry city centre, this huge Museum is home to the world's largest collection of British road transport in public ownership. The Museum is laid out as a journey through time – so visitors are able to wander through 19th Century streets and discover the first bicycles, carriages and cars, then explore the first car factories and even witness the destruction caused by the war and the Blitz. Moving through the rise and fall of the city's largest industry, you will come face to face with the world's fastest car - Thrust SSC. Entry to the museum is free for those who live in Coventry. The 3 Cathedrals Not many Cities boast more than one Cathedral and yet Coventry has three! Celebrated as the UK's favourite 20th century building, Coventry Cathedral is known all over the world as a beautiful and unique venue. Designed by architect Sir Basil Spence following the bombing of the city in 1940 it was opened in 1962 and contains some of the finest examples of 1950's and 60's art and architecture in the country. Ricoh Arena/Wasps The Ricoh Arena is an award-winning venue in Coventry, hosting a variety of sport, business and entertainment events, while also home to Wasps Rugby and Wasps Netball. Attracting thousands of music fans from across the country, the Ricoh Arena also hosts a variety of music concerts throughout the year. Previous performers include Bruce Springsteen, Coldplay, Rihanna and Take That. The building itself is equipped with a hotel, two restaurants, a coffee shop, a bakery and one of the largest casinos in the UK. FarGo Village FarGo Village is an artistically repurposed industrial space used exclusively for creative, independent businesses. FarGo is home to independent coffee shops and restaurants, and to artists, crafters and designers who are making jewellery, upcycling furniture and restoring antiques. FarGo also hosts unique events and a creative arts programme, featuring live music, exhibitions, craft markets, and food festivals. Relocation to Coventry If you’re an international doctor looking to relocate to Coventry, 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 Visitcoventry.co.uk. 2020. Visit Coventry. [online] Available at: <https://www.visitcoventry.co.uk/> [Accessed 22 April 2020]. Trust, C., 2020. About Us. [online] Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust. Available at: <https://www.covwarkpt.nhs.uk/about-us> [Accessed 22 April 2020]. Council, C., 2020. 25 Things You Might Not Know About Coventry | 25 Things You Might Not Know About Coventry | Coventry City Council. [online] Coventry.gov.uk. Available at: <https://www.coventry.gov.uk/info/99/local_history_and_heritage/2064/25_things_you_might_not_know_about_coventry> [Accessed 22 April 2020]. Living, C. and Kingdom, U., 2020. Cost Of Living In Coventry. [online] Numbeo.com. Available at: <https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/in/Coventry> [Accessed 22 April 2020]. Find and compare schools in England. 2020. All Schools And Colleges In Coventry - GOV.UK - Find And Compare Schools In England. [online] Available at: <https://www.compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk/schools-by-type?step=default&table=schools&region=331&la-name=coventry&geographic=la&for=primary> [Accessed 22 April 2020]. Coventry.ac.uk. 2020. Study | Coventry University. [online] Available at: <https://www.coventry.ac.uk/study-at-coventry/> [Accessed 22 April 2020]. Tripadvisor. 2020. Coventry Transport Museum - 2020 All You Need To Know Before You Go (With Photos) - Coventry, England | Tripadvisor. [online] Available at: <https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g186403-d214078-Reviews-Coventry_Transport_Museum-Coventry_West_Midlands_England.html> [Accessed 22 April 2020].

If you have lived and worked in the UK for a number of years or are planning to remain in the UK on a long-term or permanent basis, you may wish to apply for British Citizenship. Some of the benefits of obtaining British citizenship are that you will be eligible to receive free healthcare from the NHS, you will be granted access to unemployment allowances, you’ll have the right to vote and you can apply for a British passport. In this article, we will shed some light on what makes someone eligible to apply for British citizenship and the requirements necessary for the application process.   Eligibility There are a few different circumstances that may make you eligible to apply for British citizenship, these depend on your status within the country and how long you have lived within the UK. You may be eligible to apply for citizenship if: You have Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) If you have Permanent Residence status You have ‘settled status’ under the EU settlement scheme You’re married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen There are some requirements specific to each of circumstances listed above which will determine whether or not you’re eligible to apply, we will explain these in further detail later in this article.   General Requirements No matter what your circumstances are, there are some overarching requirements that you must comply with, such as evidencing your English skills and completing certain tests. So, whether you have IRL or are married to a British citizen, you will need to adhere to these conditions. The most basic requirements that require little explanation are: You must intend to continue living in the UK on a long-term basis You must be 18 years of age or older   Evidencing your English Language Skills This should be a familiar requirement as it will have been necessary to obtain GMC Registration, and to get your Tier 2 Visa as well. In order to apply for British Citizenship, you will also be expected to prove your knowledge of English, Welsh or Scottish Gaelic skills, depending on where you’re hoping to settle. To evidence your English language skills, you can either use UK NARIC, or you will need to pass a Secure English Language Test (SELT). If you passed IELTS in order to obtain GMC Registration, you will be able to use this as proof of your English language skills, even if has since expired. You will need to provide a certificate or evidence of your score. Unfortunately, the OET is not currently accepted by the Home Office, so if you passed OET for GMC Registration and your Visa application, you will need to sit either IELTS or the Graded Examinations in Spoken English (GESE). It may be a relief to know that you will only need to achieve a score of 4 in IELTS in order to be eligible to apply for British Citizenship, unlike the score of 7.5 necessary for GMC Registration. GESE, on the other hand, is slightly different to IELTS as you will be able to take tests at different grades. You will need to achieve a pass in a GESE grade 5 test in order to be eligible to apply for British Citizenship, if you pass a GESE test of a lower grade, this will not be accepted by the Home Office. You can learn more about GESE on the Trinity College website.   Life in the UK Test Before you can apply for British Citizenship, you will also need to pass the Life in the UK Test. The purpose of this test is to ensure that anyone applying for citizenship has sufficient knowledge and understanding of British history, society and values to make them a good candidate to obtain citizenship. The test itself is computer based, consisting of 24 questions and will take roughly 45 minutes to complete. You can only book the test online, on the gov.uk website, and must book at least three days in advance. The fee is currently £50, which you will pay during the booking process. There are over 30 test centres in the UK, so it should be relatively easy to find one nearby. In order to go through with your booking, you’ll need an email address, credit or debit card and an accepted form of ID such as a passport, UK driving license (full or provisional), certificate of identity document, EU identity card, immigration status document endorsed with a UK residence permit that has a photograph or your biometric residence permit. It’s also important to ensure that the name you input when booking your test matches the name on the document you intend to use as identification. On the day of the test, you must take the same form of identification you used to book your test. You will also need to provide proof of address, this can be a gas, electricity or water bill, a council tax bill, a letter from the Home Office, a UK photocard driving license (full or provisional), a bank or credit card statement. Whichever document you use as proof of address, it must not be the same document you used for proof of identity, it must be the original document rather than a copy, and it must include your name, address and postcode, and be dated within three months of the day of your test. In order to pass and to be eligible to apply for British Citizenship, you will need to score 75%. If you pass, you’ll be sent a letter notifying you of this, and this is the document you must send to the Home Office in order to prove that you have passed this test and meet the criteria to apply. Once again, you must send the original document, not a copy. The best way to prepare for the Life in the UK Test is to purchase the handbook, as this book covers any questions that may come up on the test. You can order the handbook here.   Good Character Assessment The Gov.UK website states that to be eligible to apply for British Citizenship, candidates must be ‘of good character’. This essentially means that during your time living in the UK, you have abided by and been respectful of UK laws and fulfilled any relevant obligations and duties of being a UK resident such as paying income tax and making national insurance contributions. As well as this, if you have breached any of the UK immigration laws in the past ten years, this will reflect badly on your character.   Proof that You have Lived in the UK for Several Years One of the basic requirements to apply for citizenship is that you have lived in the UK for a number of years, usually five. The only exception to this rule is if you are applying for citizenship because you are married to a British citizen, you will only need to have lived in the UK for three years in this situation. You will be expected to provide evidence that you have lived in the UK for five (or three) years and that you were actually in the country five (or three) years prior to your application. Documentation you can use as proof includes tax documents such as your P60 or a P45, a letter confirming your employment from the hospital you were working in at the time, council tax bills, mortgage statements, tenancy agreements, bank statements or pension statements from your employer at the time. Extra Requirements if you have Indefinite Leave to Remain or Settled Status ILR and Settled Status have identical requirements, if you are a member of the EU, EAA or Switzerland, ILR may be referred to as ‘settled status’ or ‘indefinite leave to remain under the EU Settlement Scheme’. If you hold either of these, in addition to the general requirements listed, you must also have lived in the UK for five years, as mentioned previously, and have held ILR or settled status for 12 months prior to your application. It is important to note that you won’t be eligible to apply for British Citizenship if you have: Been outside of the UK for more than 450 days during the five years prior to your application. Spent more than 90 days outside of the UK in the last 12 months. Have broken any immigrations laws.   Extra Requirements if you are Married or in a Civil Partnership with a British Citizen As previously mentioned, if you are applying for citizenship because your spouse is a British citizen, you will be an exception to the five years of residency rule. In order to apply, you must be able to prove that you have lived in the UK for three years, prior to your application. To apply for citizenship, you will also need to have one of the following: A document proving you have permanent residence status in the UK. Indefinite leave to remain in the UK. Settled Status (also referred to as ‘indefinite leave to remain under the EU Settlement Scheme’). Indefinite leave to enter the UK (permission to move to the UK permanently from abroad).   You will not be eligible to apply for British Citizenship if you have: Been outside of the country for more than 270 days during the last three years prior to your application. Spent more than 90 days outside of the UK in the last 12 months. Broken any UK immigration laws. If your spouse who was a British citizen has died.   Extra Requirements if you have Permanent Residence status Under this circumstance, you will need to prove your status by providing a permanent residence document. You can apply for this document on the Gov.UK website. As previously mentioned, you must have lived in the UK for at least five years prior to your application and must have held permanent residence status for at least twelve months. You will not be eligible to apply for British Citizenship if you have: Been out of the UK for a period of two years or more since obtaining your permanent residence status. If you have been outside of the UK for more than 450 days in the last five years. If you have been outside of the UK for more than 90 days in the last twelve months. Broken any UK immigration laws.   How do I Apply? The application fee is £1,330, you will also have to pay an additional £19.20 to have your biometric information, consisting of your photograph and fingerprints, taken. If you meet all of the requirements and have completed the relevant tests, you will need to fill in an application form on the Gov.UK website which can be found here.   Citizenship Ceremony The final step in the process of obtaining British Citizenship is attending a Citizenship Ceremony. If your application has been accepted and you have provided the Home Office with the necessary documentation, they will send you an invitation to attend a citizenship ceremony. Upon receiving your invitation, you must book to attend a ceremony within three months, and you can do this with your local council. These events tend to be group ceremonies and cost £80, though it is possible to book a private ceremony, if you would prefer, but it will be more expensive, and the price varies depending on the local council’s rules. You will also be permitted to invite two guests, if you wish. During the ceremony you will make an oath of allegiance to God (you may choose your religion), and a pledge that you will respect the laws, freedoms and rights of the UK. If you are not religious, you are also permitted to make an affirmation instead. At the end of the ceremony, you will be presented with your certificate of British Citizenship and a welcome pack, so if you don’t attend the event, you won’t be granted British Citizenship.   Relocating to the UK If you’re an international doctor with plans to relocate to the UK and join the NHS, email your cv to [email protected] and we would love to help you on your 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 into the group every single day. We will also be on hand to answer all your relocation queries. Subscribe to our YouTube channel! We have over 50 videos on everything you need to know about relocating to the UK and joining the NHS! Listen to BDI Resourcing on the go with the IMG Advisor Podcast! You can find us on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Stitcher, and Buzzsprout. We have a number of episodes with tips and advice on relocating to the UK and the routes you can take to achieve this.   References Gov.uk. (2019). British citizenship - GOV.UK. [online] Available at: https://www.gov.uk/browse/citizenship/citizenship [Accessed 11 Dec. 2019]. Ukcitizenshipsupport.com. (2019). Explore the Benefits of Obtaining British Citizenship. [online] Available at: https://ukcitizenshipsupport.com/british-citizenship-info/british-citizenship-benefits/ [Accessed 11 Dec. 2019]. Citizensadvice.org.uk. (2019). Preparing to apply for pre-settled and settled status. [online] Available at: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/immigration/staying-in-the-uk-after-brexit/preparing-to-apply-for-pre-settled-and-settled-status/ [Accessed 11 Dec. 2019].