Work as a Doctor in the UK

The NHS is one of the most developed health systems in the world. It has a reputation for delivering a high quality of service and excellence in research, training and development. There are a number of potential benefits to working in the UK for doctors and dentists:

• experience of work in the national healthcare system in the UK
• training and development – including the opportunity to pursue UK medical and dental Royal College qualifications, subject to the limitations on access to UK medical and dental training outlined below
• access to research
• good standards of pay and working conditions
• opportunity to experience living and working in the UK
• acquiring new skills
• a diverse population and health needs in which to gain experience.

All doctors wishing to work in any capacity in the UK, whether in the NHS or elsewhere, must be registered and licenced to practise with the GMC. The licence needs to be revalidated periodically if the doctor wishes to continue to practise in the UK. Revalidation is based on regular evaluation of all practising doctors (using a structured annual appraisal) against agreed professional standards in the workplace. The GMC takes a decision, normally every five years, as to whether a doctor’s licence to practise should be renewed.