Starting a new chapter anywhere in the world is daunting but it can be incredibly exciting once you’ve completed all the admin tasks. In this article, we will give you some tips for relocating to the UK, including on how to find housing in the UK as an international doctor and the benefits of working in the NHS.
Why should I relocate to the UK and work in the NHS?
Whether you’re a newly qualified doctor or you’ve been working in the industry for a while, you might be considering moving to the UK to work for the NHS. For many doctors, this is a lifetime goal as the NHS is considered to be one of the most prestigious healthcare systems in the world. The NHS workforce has become an institution in Britain. Life in the NHS can involve long hours, multi-tasking and working with an interesting variety of different patients; it is one of the most rewarding careers. One of the main benefits of working in the NHS is the opportunity to learn new skills and develop your career. In the NHS there is a strong focus on training and helping doctors progress.
What difficulties might I face as an international doctor looking for accommodation?
Finding accommodation in any country can be challenging. Make sure to do plenty of research before applying to specific hospitals. Your Remedium consultant will work with you to find out what your priorities are. This might include:
1) Local schools/childcare in the UK
2) Nearby holy places and places of worship
3) Whether you would like it to be a busy environment/ a rural town/ near a beach or countryside
4) Crime rates in the area
5) Furnished or unfurnished house/flat
There are a mixture of short-term and long-term housing solutions to consider.
Short term accommodation for international doctors relocating to the UK
Is there accommodation within the NHS hospital?
This will depend on the hospital and if there’s accommodation available at the time of your relocation. Availability can vary from trust to trust. If this is an option within your chosen hospital, this could be an easy solution for the short term. It can give you a chance to familiarise yourself with the local area and meet other doctors within the hospital.
Another option is to look at Airbnb. Airbnb is an online platform that connects people with landlords who are renting out their homes. This is usually more for a day-to-day solution or for a shorter period of time as it can get quite expensive.
A final short-term solution is booking into a nearby hotel. This can give you a little extra time to visit potential houses/flats and means you don’t need to rush your longer-term decision.
Longer-term accommodation for international doctors relocating to the UK:
If you’re looking for long-term housing and you are moving to the UK on your own, these are some options:
1) Spare room
2) Room buddies
3) Rightmove
If you’re looking to move with your family, speaking to an estate agent might be a better option for you.
Our main tip is to make sure you look into the bills as well as the monthly rent.
Remedium can support you with your journey to the UK
Hopefully, this article gives you an insight into moving to the UK as an international doctor. However, if this sounds overwhelming, we can help. At Remedium, we have contacts with estate agents around the UK and can help you source and secure the perfect accommodation for you and your family. Once you secure a job placement within an NHS hospital you will be assigned a Remedium onboarding executive who will help you every step of the process, at absolutely no cost. In addition to sourcing suitable accommodation, your onboarding executive will support you with navigating the COS and visa process, finding suitable childcare for your children, making connections in your new local community, and much more!
If you’re looking for career advice or a new role, please register your details and upload your CV and one of our relocation experts will be in touch.
