Frequently Asked Questions

1. What about relocation expenses/costs?

2. Any recommendation for estate agents for buying/ renting?

We are not advertising the following websites; however, these were the websites that IMGs have suggested when searching for accommodation. ESPC, Rightmove, Zoopla. You can find other accommodation resources on the Peer Mentoring and Support resources page.

3. What is the best school in the region?

Search for any school in the UK by name, location or postcode www.schoolguide.co.uk

4. Is it possible to work while waiting for my visa application process?

You should be able to work if you still have a valid visa and apply before your current visa expires. You can provide them with “ Share code” which they can use to check your right to work. You can use the following link to generate share code, then share the share code with your employer. www.gov.uk/view-prove-immigration-status

5. How to organise an observership/elective placement?

Guidance
Honorary contract + application form (for Honorary appointments as defined in Section 13 of the Consultant's Terms and Conditions of Service; A doctor, nurse or other clinical practitioner from another NHS Board or University undertaking clinical work; Individuals working for another NHS Board, following through a patient's treatment whilst in hospital; Elective placements or similar shadowing for current University students undertaking clinical work where there is no service level agreement in place already with the University.)
Observer placement letter (for Individuals who require a short period of time within an NHS Board service to witness or observe practice but who will not have direct patient contact or be responsible for patient care or service delivery.)
Letter of access (for Individuals, usually from an educational institute such as a lecturer requiring short term access to NHS Board facilities such as for the purposes of assessing students; Individuals requiring access to NHS data for the purposes of analysis in relation to a particular project or piece of research connected with their academic studies.)
Work experience requests: email loth.workexperience@nhs.scot

6. How to apply for ALS?

You need to email the resuscitation team, they will put your name on the waiting list. Resuscitation@nhs.scot

7. How to get a reference letter for bank/renting?

In the absence of a contract as the staff engagement form is required to be completed pre-employment stage so the trainee may not be in UK at the time of completion. You could email the medical recruitment team in your department. If you’re working in NHS Lothian this is their email eos.regionvacancies@nhs.scot. Otherwise, you could ask the HR department to give you a reference letter to obtain a UK bank account/ accommodation.

8. Any recommendations for places to print poster for presentation?

You can email the King's building, University of Edinburgh kbcopy@ed.ac.uk with the following details: your work detail, poster size, date you wanted. And send the poster in PDF form.

9. Is there any good online portfolio to put your CPD and WBA...etc. (for IMGs who are not in training)?

10. Do I HAVE TO attend the IMG specific Induction/SIM?

The Induction/SIM is mandatory for IMGs who have not worked in the NHS before, desirable for IMGs who have worked in the NHS but not in Scotland, and optional for all other IMGs.

11. Useful resources

• Scottish IMG Doctors Support Network Facebook group www.facebook.com/groups/535954950194981

• STEP programme (GP Trainees) and Psych step programme (Mental health trainee)

• Centre for International Medical Graduates (Courses and support for International Medical Graduates)

12. Study Leave information

Info here. For example, full time clinical fellows are entitled to 10 days of study leave and £500 study budget.

If you have more questions you would like an answer to please email med.website@nhs.scot or use the IMGs NHS Lothian Teams Channel.