Settling into the UK
Welcome to the Midlands
The below resources contain sources of information that have been taken from independent websites that have been set up with the aim to help IMGs feel better prepared to come into the UK and settle into the NHS.
East Midlands
The East Midlands incorporates Derbyshire, Leicestershire, parts of Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire and Rutland. The most populous settlements in the region are Derby, Leicester, Lincoln, Mansfield, Northampton and Nottingham. Other notable settlements include Boston, Buxton, Chesterfield, Corby, Coalville, Gainsborough, Glossop, Grantham, Hinckley, Kettering, Loughborough, Market Harborough, Matlock, Newark-on-Trent, Oakham, Skegness, Sleaford, Wellingborough and Worksop.
On an East Midlands training programme you will be centred around one of the following areas: Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Northamptonshire or Rutland.
West Midlands
The West Midlands is made up of the counties of Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, West Midlands (this is a smaller county of the same name as the region!), and Worcestershire.
The region is a geographically very diverse area, including major urban centres such as Birmingham, the second largest city in the UK, through to much more rural areas such as Shropshire and Herefordshire, which border Wales. The West Midlands is the second most ethnically diverse region in the UK after London.
There are many major towns and cities in the region including Birmingham, Coventry, Stoke-on-Trent, Wolverhampton, Solihull, Telford, Worcester, Hereford, Lichfield and many more!
Click here to find out more information about the different cities
Click here to find out more information about the transport links in the East Midlands and the West Midlands
Finding a place to live: renting hospital accommodation
Some hospitals offer on site, or near site, accommodation for staff. This is typically paid for monthly. However, this type of accommodation is not universally offered, or available. Therefore, to find out if hospital accommodation is available at your place of work, and to get more information if you are interested in staying in such accommodation, contact your hospital directly via switchboard or the medical staffing department.
Finding a place to live: renting or buying a home
Getting ready for your first visit to the UK as an IMG - covers accommodation, transport, money, food, weather, preparing for the PLAB exam, travel, shopping and other essentials
List of estate agents and properly descriptions
Setting up a home: covers rent/mortgage, council tax, TV license, water, energy and heating, insurance and more
Practicalities of daily life
Schools and education and School admissions
Guide to childcare options and eligibilty for childcare costs
Questions about tax and applying for a national insurance number
Income tax and PAYE payroll checklist
NHS pensions, pension contribution rates, personal pensions and state pensions
Obtaining a driving licence and taxing your vehicle, driving in the UK with an international license, Exchange a non-GB driving licence
Emergency services: police and healthcare
Local culture and customs
Language and accents, people and customs
This dictionary of British slang includes popular words and phrases that you might hear in the UK and will help you with your spoken English.
Doctors speak up is a multimedia resource that has been developed to address the language and communication needs of IMGs working in Australia, although some of the content is specific to Australia, most of it is useful to anyone practicing medicine in an English speaking country.
Health and wellbeing
Just as you place significant importance on looking after your patient; it is equally as important that you look after yourself. This includes not only your physical health but also your dental and mental health, and that of your family. It is therefore very important that upon your arrival in the UK you register with both a GP and a dentist of your choosing.
Find a GP and How to register with a GP service
Prescription charges, Prescription Prepayment Certificate (PPC) and entitlements for a free prescription
See NHS dental services here and find a dentist here
Useful resources:
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The Savvy IMG (an independent website providing advice and guidance to IMGs)
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Britain Explained is a resident’s guide to England, Scotland and Wales that offers simple answers to over 700 of the most common questions.
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Toolkit for International Doctors in Training produced by Lead Employer at St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust,offers a wealth of guidance on preparing for your arrival in the UK, including guidance on opening a bank account, securing accommodation and registering for local services such as a GP and dental practice.
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Road to UK, an independent website providing support and guidance for IMGs making their transition to working in the UK. See the blog articles, YouTube videos and personalized guidance sessions
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BMA Toolkit for doctors new to the UK
Last updated: July 2024