Why come to work as a GP (family doctor) in Devon & Cornwall?
England's National Health Service is commonly regarded as a national treasure, with its primary principle of free healthcare for all at a point of service being a matter of great pride for the vast majority of English people.
GPs are the foundation of the NHS: the first point of call for most patients, working together with not only the patient themselves but a variety of healthcare professionals from pharmacists to mental health services to physiotherapists to social care services, managing everything from minor conditions to acute illness and long term ill health. As well as being well-regarded by the population that they serve – nine out of ten patients rate their experience of their GP practice as “Good” – the British government also recognise the importance of the work carried out by GPs, investing an additional £2.4bn a year into general practice by 2021.
General practice in England is varied, interesting, well-regarded and well-supported, but what other reasons are there for pursuing a career as a GP in England, especially Devon & Cornwall?
• For many people, the bottom line is money, and the NHS offers a competitive pay package for GPs. While on the International GP training scheme, you can expect to earn a minimum of £3,000 per calendar month, increasing to £68,000-£72,000 per year once you have gained entry to the National Medical Performers List, alongside benefits including paid maternal and paternal leave and a generous pension.
• As well as financial support, the programme also offers a comprehensive range of practical and logistical support, including help finding a home, schools and other local facilities; help with day to day tasks such as setting up bank accounts; help with relocation costs; and support for your partner if they wish to improve their English in order to find work. We are with you every step of the way.
• Extend your clinical experience as part of a team of 1.3 NHS employees, many of whom have themselves come to England from across the globe.
• Speaking of diversity, there is a wide mix of cultures across the country – more so in the large cities than in the countryside – with foreign communities from most parts of the world.
• When it comes to history, of course, Cornwall and Devon is steeped in it: from magnificent cathedrals to mighty castles, ancient ruins to the mythology of Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, and stately homes to hillside chalk drawings.
• Wherever you see yourself and your family living, you can find it in the counties of Devon and Cornwall: whether you want to live in a sleepy rural village or a vibrant city such as Plymouth or Exeter; a busy town or in the glorious seclusion of the countryside; among hills and dales or by the sea. Equally, you can choose to work in a bustling multi-disciplinary practice which will enhance your clinical practice or a small, intimate surgery where you can focus on building a relationship with your patients – and the programme allows you to try several before you make your final decision.
• We offer peace of mind. Any GP recruited under the programme and working in the UK before 29th March 2019 will be able to stay and enjoy the same rights and benefits as now, and qualifications of EU doctors will continue to be recognised as long as they were obtained before 29th March 2019.
• Finally, it would be impossible to talk about living and working in England without discussing the weather! What British weather lacks in extremes, it more than makes up for in variety, with the average English day including anything from the sun to snow to thunderstorms – but never too much of anything. Summers are usually warm (but may be wet), winters are generally cool (but may be mild) – a moderation which is reflected in the national character. Devon and Cornwall, in particular, are blessed with a lovely climate, which makes getting outdoors to explore its numerous charms, from wild moors to rolling hills to stunning coastline, as easy as it is enjoyable.
Want to know more? Contact us for more information, and to discuss your new life in England.
