Resources to support you moving and settling in the UK

We are delighted to welcome International Medical Graduates (IMGs) to the IMG Welfare Service for Wessex and Thames Valley. This service has been created to support your wellbeing, provide guidance, and help you feel settled both professionally and personally.

We recognise the unique challenges of working in a new healthcare system and are here to offer a safe, supportive space where you can seek advice, share experiences, and access resources tailored to your needs. You are a valued part of our community and we are committed to helping you thrive.

Moving to the UK to work in the NHS

International Medical Graduates (IMGs) in the UK should prioritize securing General Medical Council (GMC) registration with a licence to practise, arranging a clinical shadowing period, and joining a professional body like the British Medical Association (BMA) for support. Key advice includes understanding NHS hierarchy, developing meticulous documentation, seeking mentorship, and focusing on clinical, communication, and patient safety skills.

·        The Four Pillars of Medical Ethics - A Quick Overview - Medic Mind

·        Four Principles - UKCEN

·        good-medical-practice-2024---english_pdf-102607294.pdf

General Medical Council

Joining the General Medical Council (GMC) is an essential step for International Medical Graduates (IMGs) who wish to practise medicine in the UK. The GMC ensures that all doctors meet the required standards of training, skills, and professional conduct, helping to maintain patient safety and trust in healthcare services. Being registered not only allows IMGs to work legally but also provides access to guidance, professional support, and a clear framework for ethical practice. It is a key milestone in building a successful and secure medical career in the UK.

British Medical Association

The British Medical Association (BMA) is the professional association and trade union for doctors in the UK, dedicated to supporting your career, wellbeing, and working conditions. For International Medical Graduates (IMGs), the BMA offers valuable guidance on contracts, workplace rights, and navigating the NHS, as well as access to advice, representation, and a strong professional network. Joining the BMA can help you feel more informed, protected, and connected as you build your medical career in the UK.

Key advice to IMGs in the UK
  • Ensure you have the right visa and full GMC registration with a licence to practise.
  • Initial Setup: Arrange for a "shadowing" or clinical attachment period to familiarize yourself with NHS systems before starting your job.
  • Professional Support: Join the BMA and a medical defence organisation (e.g., MDU, MPS) from day one for professional advice, legal protection, and wellbeing support..
  • Clinical Practice & Safety:
    • Never hesitate to ask for help
    • Documentation: Maintain meticulous records of patient interactions.
    • Confidentiality: Adhere strictly to GMC guidelines regarding patient confidentiality.
  • Workplace Integration:
    • Understand Hierarchy: Familiarize yourself with the roles (FY2, SHO, Registrar) and your place within the team.
    • Seek Mentorship: Find a mentor or buddy within your trust to help navigate the system.
    • Focus on Well-being: Utilize local NHS Trust IMG groups or diaspora networks like BIDA for peer support.
  • Career Development:
    • Build a Portfolio: Document your achievements, teaching, and management experience.
    • Understand Training Pathways: Research the requirements for progressing through specialty training.

Taking the time to understand the cultural nuances of the NHS and actively building a support network will help ensure a smoother transition.

Accommodation

To support International Medical Graduates in finding suitable accommodation when moving to the UK, we have provided a selection of helpful weblinks to trusted property platforms. Websites such as Rightmove and Zoopla offer a wide range of rental properties listed by letting agents, while platforms like SpareRoom are particularly useful for those seeking shared accommodation or flatmates. OpenRent also allows you to connect directly with landlords, which can sometimes simplify the process. Using a combination of these resources can help you explore different options, compare prices, and find accommodation that best suits your needs as you settle into life in the UK.

Finding a property

Relocation Expenses and Excess Travel

Advice and Guidance when finding a property

Home Insurance

Council Tax

Healthcare

International Medical Graduates play a vital role in strengthening healthcare systems, but maintaining your own health is just as important as the care you provide.

Doctors Surgery and Dentist Registration

Registering yourself (and your family) with a local GP and dentist ensures you have access to essential medical and preventive services, from routine check-ups to urgent care. Early registration will help you to navigate the healthcare system more confidently, will avoid delays in treatment, and will safeguard both your physical and mental wellbeing as you settle into a new environment.

Emergency Services

  • In the case of an emergency, ring 999, and depending on your need, ask for either: Ambulance, Police, or Fire Service.
  • Emergency services in the UK are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and are free of charge. Medical emergencies that would require you to ring 999 include serious illness and/or major injury that is a risk to life or limb.
  • If you are in need of urgent healthcare advice, but it is not a life-threatening illness, you are advised to either ring NHS 111, visit a local NHS walk-in centre, urgent care centre or minor injuries unit or to make your own way to your local accident and emergency (A+E) department. The NHS 111 service is provided by a team of fully trained staff advisers who will assess your symptoms and then direct you accordingly. They may provide you with self-care advice; connect you to an emergency nurse, dentist or GP; arrange for you to be seen face to face; or send an ambulance directly if they feel it is necessary.
  • For less urgent healthcare needs, you should consider self-care at home; contacting your local pharmacist; or calling your local GP to make an appointment.

Mental Health

Access to NHS Services: An IMG can book mental health support through your GP. 

  • Confidential Support Systems: In the UK, Professional Support and Wellbeing (PSW) services are available through local deaneries/Health Education England (HEE) to support trainees with health issues. Wessex Professional Support and Wellbeing Service (PSW) - Working across Wessex Professional Support & Wellbeing Service - Working across Thames Valley
  • BMA Support: The British Medical Association (BMA) offers confidential counselling and wellbeing resources specifically to help IMGs navigate the stress of training.
  • Mentorship and Induction: NHS trusts provide local induction, mentoring, and supervision for new IMGs, and are encouraged to have mental health champions available in hospitals.
  • Occupational Health: Upon arrival, you will likely have an appointment with the Occupational Health Department, which can provide guidance on health matters.
  • The General Medical Council (GMC) provides mental health support for doctors through a confidential helpline (01619236399)
  • NHS England have Staff mental health and wellbeing hubs Body
Transport

For International Medical Graduates living and working in the UK, having a valid driving licence, appropriate car insurance, and up-to-date road tax is important for both legal compliance and practical convenience. Many healthcare roles require travel between sites or working unsociable hours when public transport may be limited, making access to a car especially useful. Ensuring your vehicle is properly insured and taxed not only keeps you within the law but also provides peace of mind and financial protection in case of accidents or unforeseen events. Being prepared in this way can make your day-to-day life and work commitments much easier to manage.

Public Transport

Train

Bus

South

Portsmouth

Southampton

Winchester

Salisbury

Travelcard Ticket - Lets you use buses from most operators across South Hampshire (including Bluestar, Frist, Stagecoach and Xelabus)

Solent Go travelcard - It's now easier to travel from A to B to Sea! | Solent Go

Finances and Tax

Managing your finances in a new system can be challenging as an IMG. This page provides useful links and guidance to support you with opening a bank account, understanding tax requirements, and planning for your pension.

Schools and Education

As IMGs, we understand that finding the right school or nursery for your child can feel overwhelming. This page brings together helpful resources and links to guide you through the process, from applications to available support services. Whether you’re exploring options for the first time or need assistance with placements, our aim is to make it easier for families to access the information and support they need to give their children the best possible start.

Social Integration - Everyday Informal Expressions

For International Medical Graduates (IMGs) moving to the UK, social integration is a key part of building a stable and fulfilling life alongside your professional responsibilities. Establishing social connections - whether through colleagues, community groups, or local activities - can ease the transition into a new culture, reduce feelings of isolation, and support mental wellbeing. By engaging with your local community, IMGs can also improve communication skills, better understand cultural norms, and ultimately feel more confident both inside and outside the workplace.

 

Everyday Informal Expressions

Learning a different language is tricky enough without the additional element of slang, idioms and other English expressions which often say more than their literal meanings! Even different regions of the country have their own phrases where their meanings are not often obvious.