My third year in the NHS
Every year, I write a summary of how my experience has been. I learn something new each year. My goals change. Sometimes, I think I have matured and sometimes I think I think like my 8 month old daughter. Either way, I still feel quite settled, happy in my job and with my decision of coming to the UK.
MY EXPERIENCE AS A PATIENTS RELATIVE
MY EXPERIENCE AS A PATIENTS RELATIVE
A few things have changed for me this year- I had a daughter in April, 2018. My wife was admitted to hospital for 2 days. Working in the NHS as a doctor, I never saw things from a patients/ patients relatives' angle. The nurses were amazing and the care was exceptional- throughout her pregnancy.
She had a midwife allotted to her who used to do home visits almost every month ( https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/first-midwife-appointment/ ). We were invited to pregnancy sessions at the hospital and met other to be parents. It was a wonderful and very supportive experience. My wife did not feel alone. She had a direct number to the midwife and maternity unit and could call at any time.
When she was admitted, they made sure that I was well looked after. I had a comfortable reclining couch and access to breakfast, a shower room, bed linen - all on the ward. I felt like being treated like a business class passenger. It was not because I was working in the same hospital as a core medical trainee year 1, everyone got the same treatment. She had her own private room before delivery.
The doctors were amazing. You take things for granted when you are working and when patients thank you, you always say " Well, that is my job and duty to take care of you". When I see it from the patients angle, I can see how hard we work and how we always smile and assure our patients. We go out of our way to ensure that they are well looked after.
I cannot thank the nurses enough - We had a midwife sitting in the room 24/7 constantly documenting each and every thing. She escalated any concerns to the doctors who came to assess my wife immediately. At the end of the 12 hour shift, she had written around 10 pages of what had been going on. We are foreigners, from Pakistan. However not for a minute did we feel that we were not from this country. The nurses kept chatting to us, kept us distracted, gave us tips.
We were cared for my the following nationalities:
1. A Nigerian registrar
2. A Greek registrar
3. A Czech FY2
4. Malaysian Nurse
5. British Consultant
6. British midwives
All of these were exceptional in their care. They all took the time to explain things, assure us and make sure that our journey was a smooth one. Small things like " Give us your camera, we will take a picture of all of you" or " there is a breakfast bar in the next room" or " We are in this together ( with an assuring smile )" made a huge difference.
Yes, as IMGs we do have to pay for this ( Via health surcharge - https://www.gov.uk/healthcare-immigration-application) when we apply for our work visas however I can assure you that the care and compassion we received during this whole journey was priceless.
This made me change my view about the NHS - I want to save it. I want to help people see how amazing it is. I want to help my fellow international medical graduate colleagues appreciate this. I want my British medical graduate colleagues to see how amazing this is. I have come from a country where government run hospitals are a mess ( http://omarsguidelines.blogspot.com/2018/01/living-and-working-in-pakistan-vs-uk.html) and private health care is all about profits.
The NHS, on the other hand actually cares for people irrespective of race, religion or ethnicity.
However I see how the government is making things worse for us - Taxes, not enough pay as compared to inflation makes it difficult to work here as a doctor. Especially for British Medical graduates who have student loans to pay off in addition to this. We sign petitions, support the parties who support the NHS and we will never give up - at least I will not. Because I have personally seen what can happen to a country if it does not have proper health care.
It is not only the government which has made things worse for doctors but also the management. The rota team not managing the rota well - leaving vacancies till the last minute. However, I can confidently say that it is an easy fix - having some organizational skills can fix all of this. I work in an amazing hospital with an exceptional rota team and medical specialties. I have never seen such good leadership and management skills in my past 3 years in the NHS.
I have explained more about these amazing people here:
http://omarsguidelines.blogspot.com/2018/08/my-third-post-in-nhs-core-medical.html
INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL GRADUATES
If I, with 2 dependents and other expenses ( like rent for a luxury 2 bed apartment and monthly PCP payments for a fancy car) have managed to save up, anyone can do the same.
However had I not planned this and preempted these expenses, I would have been in a lot of stress. Which brings me to another important thing:
PLANNING
She had a midwife allotted to her who used to do home visits almost every month ( https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/first-midwife-appointment/ ). We were invited to pregnancy sessions at the hospital and met other to be parents. It was a wonderful and very supportive experience. My wife did not feel alone. She had a direct number to the midwife and maternity unit and could call at any time.
When she was admitted, they made sure that I was well looked after. I had a comfortable reclining couch and access to breakfast, a shower room, bed linen - all on the ward. I felt like being treated like a business class passenger. It was not because I was working in the same hospital as a core medical trainee year 1, everyone got the same treatment. She had her own private room before delivery.
The doctors were amazing. You take things for granted when you are working and when patients thank you, you always say " Well, that is my job and duty to take care of you". When I see it from the patients angle, I can see how hard we work and how we always smile and assure our patients. We go out of our way to ensure that they are well looked after.
I cannot thank the nurses enough - We had a midwife sitting in the room 24/7 constantly documenting each and every thing. She escalated any concerns to the doctors who came to assess my wife immediately. At the end of the 12 hour shift, she had written around 10 pages of what had been going on. We are foreigners, from Pakistan. However not for a minute did we feel that we were not from this country. The nurses kept chatting to us, kept us distracted, gave us tips.
We were cared for my the following nationalities:
1. A Nigerian registrar
2. A Greek registrar
3. A Czech FY2
4. Malaysian Nurse
5. British Consultant
6. British midwives
All of these were exceptional in their care. They all took the time to explain things, assure us and make sure that our journey was a smooth one. Small things like " Give us your camera, we will take a picture of all of you" or " there is a breakfast bar in the next room" or " We are in this together ( with an assuring smile )" made a huge difference.
Yes, as IMGs we do have to pay for this ( Via health surcharge - https://www.gov.uk/healthcare-immigration-application) when we apply for our work visas however I can assure you that the care and compassion we received during this whole journey was priceless.
This made me change my view about the NHS - I want to save it. I want to help people see how amazing it is. I want to help my fellow international medical graduate colleagues appreciate this. I want my British medical graduate colleagues to see how amazing this is. I have come from a country where government run hospitals are a mess ( http://omarsguidelines.blogspot.com/2018/01/living-and-working-in-pakistan-vs-uk.html) and private health care is all about profits.
The NHS, on the other hand actually cares for people irrespective of race, religion or ethnicity.
However I see how the government is making things worse for us - Taxes, not enough pay as compared to inflation makes it difficult to work here as a doctor. Especially for British Medical graduates who have student loans to pay off in addition to this. We sign petitions, support the parties who support the NHS and we will never give up - at least I will not. Because I have personally seen what can happen to a country if it does not have proper health care.
It is not only the government which has made things worse for doctors but also the management. The rota team not managing the rota well - leaving vacancies till the last minute. However, I can confidently say that it is an easy fix - having some organizational skills can fix all of this. I work in an amazing hospital with an exceptional rota team and medical specialties. I have never seen such good leadership and management skills in my past 3 years in the NHS.
I have explained more about these amazing people here:
http://omarsguidelines.blogspot.com/2018/08/my-third-post-in-nhs-core-medical.html
INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL GRADUATES
What I am the most frustrated about is my international medical graduate colleagues who have still not settled in the NHS and still spread negativity. There are multiple reasons behind this which I have addressed here:
http://omarsguidelines.blogspot.com/2017/10/common-problems-imgs-face-with-solutions.html
http://omarsguidelines.blogspot.com/2017/10/common-problems-imgs-face-with-solutions.html
However even after going through this with them and trying to help them at a personal level, they do not change their negative attitude and just drown themselves into a pit of doom and despair. They do not realize what an amazing opportunity they have to improve themselves and progress in their careers. Programmes like
1. FY2 LAT posts
https://emzeden.blogspot.com/2017/08/my-fy2-locum-appointment-for-training.html
1. FY2 LAT posts
https://emzeden.blogspot.com/2017/08/my-fy2-locum-appointment-for-training.html
2. WAST programmes
https://specialtytraining.hee.nhs.uk/Recruitment/Widening-Access-to-Specialty-Training/About-the-programme
https://specialtytraining.hee.nhs.uk/Recruitment/Widening-Access-to-Specialty-Training/About-the-programme
3. Easier to get in core training:
https://www.imtrecruitment.org.uk/
https://www.imtrecruitment.org.uk/
4.GP training:
5.Even ST3 training (for some specialties)
https://www.st3recruitment.org.uk/
are a blessing in disguise. However they prefer to continue in their non training posts as SHOs, keep changing their jobs from one hospital to another with the hope that the new non training post would be better without realizing that what they need is
1. To settle - Decide a specialty and work towards it.
2. To progress in their careers
Decide what they want and work towards it. Give exams, boost their CVs, teach students in that specialty.
3. Keep themselves occupied outside of work and stress free as explained here:
The pursuit of happiness for an IMG in the UK:
http://omarsguidelines.blogspot.co.uk/2017/11/the-pursuit-of-happiness-in-uk-for-img.html
https://www.st3recruitment.org.uk/
are a blessing in disguise. However they prefer to continue in their non training posts as SHOs, keep changing their jobs from one hospital to another with the hope that the new non training post would be better without realizing that what they need is
1. To settle - Decide a specialty and work towards it.
2. To progress in their careers
Decide what they want and work towards it. Give exams, boost their CVs, teach students in that specialty.
3. Keep themselves occupied outside of work and stress free as explained here:
The pursuit of happiness for an IMG in the UK:
http://omarsguidelines.blogspot.co.uk/2017/11/the-pursuit-of-happiness-in-uk-for-img.html
My advice to doctors who worry unnecessarily:
http://omarsguidelines.blogspot.co.uk/2017/12/my-advice-to-doctors-who-get-nervous.html
http://omarsguidelines.blogspot.co.uk/2017/12/my-advice-to-doctors-who-get-nervous.html
4. Share their experiences with others.
We have amazing forums and blogs here:
https://naseersjourney.com/useful-links/
We have amazing forums and blogs here:
https://naseersjourney.com/useful-links/
This is my personal experience - when I share my experience, people ask questions and when I answer them , I find a lot of solutions to my problems as well.
I always encourage my fellow colleagues to help people in their home country - with the additional caveat that people should always give positive advice based on facts and SHOULD NOT advise something (s)he would not do.
Some colleagues of mine have done amazingly well. They have passed their post graduate exams, have settled really well in their jobs, done QIPs, some have even done publications and presented in conferences, have progressed to registrars and have guided loads of juniors and colleagues in their home countries.
Some colleagues who struggled in their PLAB 2 exams because of stress, were confused on what to do have passed their PACES in the first attempt.
As you can see, there are 2 paths you can take in life - you can improve yourself or just settle for less and be miserable.
MY FUTURE PLANS
I always encourage my fellow colleagues to help people in their home country - with the additional caveat that people should always give positive advice based on facts and SHOULD NOT advise something (s)he would not do.
Some colleagues of mine have done amazingly well. They have passed their post graduate exams, have settled really well in their jobs, done QIPs, some have even done publications and presented in conferences, have progressed to registrars and have guided loads of juniors and colleagues in their home countries.
Some colleagues who struggled in their PLAB 2 exams because of stress, were confused on what to do have passed their PACES in the first attempt.
As you can see, there are 2 paths you can take in life - you can improve yourself or just settle for less and be miserable.
MY FUTURE PLANS
I am approaching the time when core trainees apply for registrar posts. I now look at things differently - I want to see what I want to do as a consultant and what makes me happy. I get advice from everywhere however the best advice I have got so far is:
" Do whatever makes you happy"
I have addressed this here as well:
https://omarsguidelines.blogspot.com/2018/12/what-is-best-specialty-for-me.html
FINANCES
" Do whatever makes you happy"
I have addressed this here as well:
https://omarsguidelines.blogspot.com/2018/12/what-is-best-specialty-for-me.html
FINANCES
This always worries international medical graduates and as the sole earner for 2 dependents , I have to be careful as well. Here is a summary of expenses:
VISA fees
For my ST3 post, I will have to apply for a visa for myself and my dependents.
https://www.gov.uk/tier-2-general
VISA fees
For my ST3 post, I will have to apply for a visa for myself and my dependents.
https://www.gov.uk/tier-2-general
Pay the health surcharge:
https://www.gov.uk/healthcare-immigration-application/how-much-pay
https://www.gov.uk/healthcare-immigration-application/how-much-pay
This total comes out to be:
704x3 + 200x3x3 = around 4,000 GBP
This is the amount I need to have in my bank account when I apply for my visa in July, 2018.
However, I can safely say that I have saved enough by doing locums and claiming for any expenses during my training ( and ensuring these are reimbursed - things like relocation charges, fuel expenses, exam fees, tax refunds). I have made a post on this here:
http://omarsguidelines.blogspot.com/2017/06/expenses-in-uk.html
704x3 + 200x3x3 = around 4,000 GBP
This is the amount I need to have in my bank account when I apply for my visa in July, 2018.
However, I can safely say that I have saved enough by doing locums and claiming for any expenses during my training ( and ensuring these are reimbursed - things like relocation charges, fuel expenses, exam fees, tax refunds). I have made a post on this here:
http://omarsguidelines.blogspot.com/2017/06/expenses-in-uk.html
If I, with 2 dependents and other expenses ( like rent for a luxury 2 bed apartment and monthly PCP payments for a fancy car) have managed to save up, anyone can do the same.
However had I not planned this and preempted these expenses, I would have been in a lot of stress. Which brings me to another important thing:
PLANNING
This is very important. Make memos on your phone, jot down your expenses, take locums beforehand ( if you can manage), try to buy electronics, things heavy on your pocket on Boxing day and other sales. Life does become robotic with this however it helps in the long run.
Plan your career, plan your finances, plan your life. Everything is possible with a plan. Preempt stresses like failing exams, think about a plan B and you will be fine.
THE DREAM DOCTOR
Plan your career, plan your finances, plan your life. Everything is possible with a plan. Preempt stresses like failing exams, think about a plan B and you will be fine.
THE DREAM DOCTOR
Be the doctor you want to work with and look after you.
This comes with time. I have learnt how important building relationships in the work place are - not only with doctors, but with ward clerks, house keeping staff, the lovely ladies who serve us food in the canteen and the nurses who work tirelessly.
Be the doctor who puts a smile on registrars faces when you come to your on call shift. Be the SHO your FY1s want to work with. Be the SHO the nurses want to work with. This all comes with hard work and being human - a passionate doctor, colleague and treating everyone around you like family.
Here are a few tips:
My guideline for junior doctors working on the general medical wards: http://omarsguidelines.blogspot.co.uk/2017/05/guideline-for-junior-doctors-working-in.html
This comes with time. I have learnt how important building relationships in the work place are - not only with doctors, but with ward clerks, house keeping staff, the lovely ladies who serve us food in the canteen and the nurses who work tirelessly.
Be the doctor who puts a smile on registrars faces when you come to your on call shift. Be the SHO your FY1s want to work with. Be the SHO the nurses want to work with. This all comes with hard work and being human - a passionate doctor, colleague and treating everyone around you like family.
Here are a few tips:
My guideline for junior doctors working on the general medical wards: http://omarsguidelines.blogspot.co.uk/2017/05/guideline-for-junior-doctors-working-in.html
My guideline for on calls:
How to support your foundation doctors:
Teamwork and leadership in the NHS: https://omarsguidelines.blogspot.com/2018/12/teamwork-and-leadership-in-nhs.html
Nurses in the NHS:
http://omarsguidelines.blogspot.com/2018/01/nurses-in-nhs.html
BEHIND EVERY HAPPY MAN THERE IS....
Nurses in the NHS:
http://omarsguidelines.blogspot.com/2018/01/nurses-in-nhs.html
BEHIND EVERY HAPPY MAN THERE IS....
His wife! Yes, this is very true. I would not call myself successful yet but I could not have possibly managed everything without my wife. You need a partner in your life, someone to guide you and someone to share your happiness. However relationships can turn sour but if they turn out to be amazing, then there is nothing like it.
Like other things this too, is in your hands:
http://omarsguidelines.blogspot.com/2018/09/maintaining-good-relationship-with-your.html
http://omarsguidelines.blogspot.com/2018/09/maintaining-good-relationship-with-your.html
PS: A lot of people I know can manage easily without all of this. However I owe my happiness to my wife. I am in no way suggesting that single people cannot manage on their own. Some of my mentors are single female registrars and consultants and they have done extremely well.
Overall, after 3 years of working in the NHS, I feel extremely settled. I can see issues with the NHS and as a junior doctor, I am trying my best to help everyone possible in my capacity. If I can do it, anyone can.
Overall, after 3 years of working in the NHS, I feel extremely settled. I can see issues with the NHS and as a junior doctor, I am trying my best to help everyone possible in my capacity. If I can do it, anyone can.
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