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Q&A with Dr Wael Gadalla, Senior Clinical Fellow General Medicine

• April 18, 2019

Introduction

1. What is your name, speciality, grade and what hospital do you work at?

Dr Wael N S Gadalla, General Medicine, SCF, Wexham Park Hospital

2. What country did you relocate from?

I am Egyptian, however, I lived and worked in Oman since 8/2011.

3. Would you share with us your personal mission as a doctor?

Yes, I feel doing something to humanity in practicing medicine is important. I like being a member of a health team and Interventional subspecialties of Internal Medicine makes the doctor feel his/her importance in life.

4. At what point in your career did you decide you wanted to relocate to the UK? What were your motivations for wanting to do so?

I was in the same job in Oman since March 2014 without any career progression and so I decided to relocate to the UK.

I obtained MRCP and OET and then I was accepted by the General Medical Council for registration, which is specific and easy to get the target from the first trial.

The Relocation Process

5. How long did it take you to relocate, how difficult did you find the process and do you recommend it to other IMGs?

After I arrived in the UK I decided to book a hotel for 11 days until I could find an apartment for me and my family. When I first arrived I found it difficult to understand the way the UK property market worked and how to rent a flat.

I spent £9000 in total until I got my first NHS salary.

6. Is there anything you would have liked to have known before deciding to relocate? And now once you live in the UK?

I would have asked the hospital for one month accommodation and I would have asked about how tenancy works in the UK.

Thoughts on the UK

7. For you, what are the key benefits of living in the UK?

Currently, I am doing an NHS service job and I feel like I have a good opportunity to learn and progress in my career and my kids are getting a better education.

8. How do you feel you in your chosen location within the UK? 

I am currently living in central Slough area, easy access near to London. 

9. How did your family settle into the UK?

I moved with my wife and my 3 and 5 year old daughters. They liked it, but they cannot adjust to the cold weather yet.

The NHS

10. How did you feel on your first day of working within the NHS? Your first week, month and then how do you feel now compared to when you first started?

When I first started working within the NHS I was confused because no one told me about work regulations.

I received a two day induction, but this did not include anything about work regulations or how to use the computer system.

11. How would you describe the support you received from your hospital after starting your new position?

Some colleagues showed me how the system worked.

12. What is your opinion on the NHS?

It is well organised and equipped health system, it ensures patient safety and welfare.

13. Are you going to use CESR as a pathway to become a UK Consultant? Could you please share your experiences?

I am planning to work at my current job for one year, then will I will decide about the CESR pathway or ST-CESR. 

14. How do you find working in the UK compared to your home country?

The NHS is an organised work that follows the guidelines, Consultants take responsibilities and review every single patient that comes to the hospital. Every day I learn something new when working in the NHS.

The Future

15. What are your hopes and plans for the future?

Join a training program in the UK.