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.
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:
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:
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:
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:
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:
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:
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:
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
RCPCH. 2020. Sub-Specialty Training (NTN Grid) - Application Guidance. [online] Available at:
RCPCH. 2020. Choose Paediatrics. [online] Available at:
Health Careers. 2020. Paediatrics. [online] Available at:
Bliss. 2020. What Are The Different Levels Of Neonatal Care? | Bliss. [online] Available at: