Ahmed

When a doctor plans to come to the UK, (s)he is overwhelmed with a list of things to do. 1. Documents for visas for PLAB 2 2. Documents for GMC registration 3. Certificates to be shown during interviews We then need a "to do list" of things to sort out in here when we  1. Accept our jobs- list of questions to ask HR 2. Apply for our work visas When we come to the UK we need another to do list for things to sort out before we start working. It does not end here - actually the piles of documents has just started. You need a to do list for: 1. Documents and certificates for any CPD points you collect during your job. 2. Portfolio stuff - e portfolio or paper based portfolios 3. Making a timetable for post graduate exams 4. Deciding which specialty to go for and what is required to get into a training post. 5. Making a time table for interviews, meeting deadlines for applications, etc.  6. Making sure you keep your documents for ILR purposes. The list of documents is menti...

THE BASICS Why should I get a car? You should get a car ASAP if you live outside London.  But I can take the bus to work everyday. If you calculate the daily expenditure on public transport (including weekends when you take the train to other cities), you will find out that buying and owning a car will be cheaper in the long run.  I still find public transport better.  If you are planning to apply for a training post, you may get a job in a different city where the public transport is not very good. You may not get accommodation near your hospital and will need to travel for your mandatory training sessions one or twice a month. It makes sense to get a car now.  If you are a couple, then one of you may be working in a nearby town and will need a car to travel independently especially after long shifts. Fine. You have convinced me. What are the mandatory things I need to know about driving in the UK? 1. You should have a license 2. You car must be taxed before ...

I believe that nurses play a vital role in a junior doctors life. They work extremely hard with a smile all the time. They deal with patients the most and when the doctors have left after their rounds, they are the ones who explain everything to the patient. They play a vital role in the NHS. They have different bands as well - they start from band 1 and go up to band 9. We have health care assistants, student nurses, regular banded nurses, locum agency nurses, specialty nurses and consultant nurses- All of whom are vital to the proper functioning of the NHS. Personally I have learnt the most from the nursing staff and foundation year 1 doctors. They have helped me throughout my journey in the NHS and I still find them very helpful. Here are some top tips for building a good relationship with the nursing staff: 1. Always listen to them. If they are concerned about a patient, go and assess him/her. 2. If they ask you to prescribe a particular medication or even fluids make sure you do ...

A lot of people ask me why I came to the UK. Some Pakistani doctors ask me what it is like and what the core differences are. Let me tell you one thing - no place is perfect. You have to compromise on one thing or another. I came to the UK because: 1. I wanted to get training in the best health care system in the world. I still believe that the NHS is the best and most"humane" system - where there is no profit. Every person (British citizens and people on work visas) are treated for free- which may cost thousands of pounds elsewhere. 2. My parents were (and still are) independent and self caring. They come to the UK regularly and have long term visit visas. 3. My sister is also working in the NHS (she came 1 year after I did). Here are some of the differences: Skills  In Pakistan, when I was working as a house officer, I was doing lumbar punctures, pleural taps with proper supervision initially and then independently. I was very good at these and had done loads. How...