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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask which is the best country for an NHS doctor to Immigrate?

113 replies

JetRocket · 25/10/2021 12:12

Just looking for advice on which are the best/easiest countries for an NHS doctor midway through specialist training (finished CT3) to immigrate to?

We have 2 small children and only speak English fluently.

Anyone who has done it before, would be very pleased to hear your thoughts. Never thought we’d consider it but after 2 years of beyond hideous treatment we just can’t cope anymore our families mental health and work life balance is in shambles.

OP posts:
Original poster
JetRocket · 25/10/2021 12:13

*I meant emigrate - posted before correcting

OP posts:
Choconuttolata · 25/10/2021 12:15

Canada?

ssd · 25/10/2021 12:17

Im so sorry you feel like this Flowers

PaddingtonsHat · 25/10/2021 12:17

Seems to be a well trodden path to Australia/New Zealand. I’m always being called by agencies wanting me to move abroad- have you contacted any of them? God knows why I haven’t done it.

Original poster
JetRocket · 25/10/2021 12:17

@Choconuttolata

Would love Canada but the brief info I’ve found suggests it’s difficult to transition qualifications and training to their system.

OP posts:
Lockheart · 25/10/2021 12:18

I'm not sure you're on the right forum, surely there must be dedicated social media pages for emigrats etc where you would get better advice? AIBU isn't necessarily an intelligent or reasoned forum for serious life advice Grin

Blacknosugarplease · 25/10/2021 12:19

Australia and New Zealand are popular with doctors who have finished core training in the UK. The Middle East (Qatar, UAE etc) seem to be popular for consultants - loadsa dosh I imagine.

Original poster
JetRocket · 25/10/2021 12:20

@PaddingtonsHat

No not done anything beyond brief consideration yet. Wanted to be sure before starting the ball rolling. New Zealand would be a serious option for us. Australia less so as DH is terrified of the wildlife.

OP posts:
MatildaIThink · 25/10/2021 12:20

@JetRocket

Just looking for advice on which are the best/easiest countries for an NHS doctor midway through specialist training (finished CT3) to immigrate to?

We have 2 small children and only speak English fluently.

Anyone who has done it before, would be very pleased to hear your thoughts. Never thought we’d consider it but after 2 years of beyond hideous treatment we just can’t cope anymore our families mental health and work life balance is in shambles.

Canada or Australia, depending on if you like sun or snow.
Mantlemoose · 25/10/2021 12:20

Oh no don't go, we need you. There I've said it, off you pop now. Do you really think other people all over the world aren't in the same position. You're a doctor, you signed up for what you had to do..I pity the care home staff, the supermarket workers and such like paid considerably less than you are. And no I didn't clap for you and yes I have used the nhs lots but that's what I pay tax for!

inkblink · 25/10/2021 12:21

We've moved to Australia - I'm a GP, work is much better (I've even started to enjoy it again!), although settling has been much more difficult than I anticipated. Maybe talk to some of the recruitment agencies to get a feel for what is out there.

Happy to give more details if you want to send a message.

Original poster
JetRocket · 25/10/2021 12:22

@Lockheart

No I’m aware Grin but equally doubt this is the most appealing thread to get super goady on. I see lots of medics posting so think there’s a fair few on here. Just interested to see if anyone had done it. Will go down more specific paths as we form a better plan.

OP posts:
inkblink · 25/10/2021 12:23

The wildlife isn't that scary in Oz, honest!

showmethegin · 25/10/2021 12:24

@Mantlemoose

Oh no don't go, we need you. There I've said it, off you pop now. Do you really think other people all over the world aren't in the same position. You're a doctor, you signed up for what you had to do..I pity the care home staff, the supermarket workers and such like paid considerably less than you are. And no I didn't clap for you and yes I have used the nhs lots but that's what I pay tax for!
Did that make you feel better?
EileenGC · 25/10/2021 12:24

I’m in Germany and have a few friends who moved to the healthcare system here, from other countries. The conditions are great and quality of life is good from what they say. But you do need to learn German very well before being allowed to start working in a hospital for example.

Ozanj · 25/10/2021 12:24

I know several junior doctor (CT3) who went to India to complete their training and then later returned to the UK as consultants. All of them just spoke English and said they really enjoyed completing their specialisms there. (None of them were / wanted to be GPs)

Another option is Australia but as a CT3 you may need to be tied to specific geographic areas. Not sure if this has changed post covid

I wouldn’t recommend Canada yet because from my friend’s experience you often have to take on further studies / revalidate every 5 years depending on speciality. You might be better off waiting until after you have completed your specialism in the UK.

FireFLYing19 · 25/10/2021 12:24

@Mantlemoose

Oh no don't go, we need you. There I've said it, off you pop now. Do you really think other people all over the world aren't in the same position. You're a doctor, you signed up for what you had to do..I pity the care home staff, the supermarket workers and such like paid considerably less than you are. And no I didn't clap for you and yes I have used the nhs lots but that's what I pay tax for!
Why on earth are you replying with such an unhelpful comment? Keep your sour thoughts to yourself if you are going to be of no help. What is wrong with some people?!
orangeautumnleaves · 25/10/2021 12:27

@Mantlemoose

Oh no don't go, we need you. There I've said it, off you pop now. Do you really think other people all over the world aren't in the same position. You're a doctor, you signed up for what you had to do..I pity the care home staff, the supermarket workers and such like paid considerably less than you are. And no I didn't clap for you and yes I have used the nhs lots but that's what I pay tax for!
Really? I think many other counties have far better working conditions than the NHS so why shouldn't health care professionals leave? It's a brain drain on the state for sure but the tories should have thought about that before depleting the NHS of its resources and squeezing it so tight to bursting point.

Absolutely no HCP should feel any loyalty to stay especially if it's affecting their mental health and quality of life.

TooBigForMyBoots · 25/10/2021 12:29

Ireland? English speaking, in the EU and not too far from home.

Ozanj · 25/10/2021 12:29

Another option if you want improved work life balance is to move into hedge fund management (health funds). As a qualified doctor you could just email the managers directly for opportunities & they would probably be really interested.

Fetarabbit · 25/10/2021 12:29

Realistically, Australia is probably the best bet, NZ is a wonderful country but due to several factors at your level you'd be unlikely to find anything. Conditions aren't a tonne better to be honest, but if you want a change worth a look into. Avoid America.

Mummydoctor · 25/10/2021 12:33

I have a friend who moved to Australia after completing GP training. She is much happier there than any of the rest of our cohort, but depends on how easily you’ll settle away from family/support network.

I’m on a useful FB page specifically for doctors looking for alternative career paths. If you message me I could share with you.

Scirocco · 25/10/2021 12:34

Come to Scotland (if you aren't already here, in which case, stay in Scotland)! The healthcare system is different from England in a number of key ways which in my experience make it a better system to work in (not perfect by any means, but better). There are lots of training placements, specialty doctor jobs and locum opportunities in most specialities. We've got cities, towns, rural areas, and the wildlife is pretty civilised - plus, even in our biggest cities you're still less than an hour away from some stunning countryside.

Despite the accents, we do speak English and the training systems/qualifications are the same as south of the border.

PaddingtonsHat · 25/10/2021 12:34

@Mantlemoose

Oh no don't go, we need you. There I've said it, off you pop now. Do you really think other people all over the world aren't in the same position. You're a doctor, you signed up for what you had to do..I pity the care home staff, the supermarket workers and such like paid considerably less than you are. And no I didn't clap for you and yes I have used the nhs lots but that's what I pay tax for!
So because you are a doctor and paid for your years of training and responsibility, you should put up with working conditions that make you unhappy?
Cameleongirl · 25/10/2021 12:35

I’m not a medic myself but know a couple of doctors who’ve emigrated to North America. I’d start by researching whether your qualifications are recognized in a particular country/what you need to do to become licensed in a certain country. That would obviously be a huge factor. Canada’s health service is woefully overstretched from what I understand, I’m not sure you’d be trading up moving there. The US is better quality of life-wise for doctors, but you definitely have to take exams to gain your license-I know two people who’ve done it and it takes a while.

Sorry these are negative suggestions, but perhaps it helps you to cross them off your list!