Is it still worth coming to the UK as an IMG doctor in 2025?

Summary

In this video, Blessing, an IMG doctor practicing in the UK, discusses the impact of the UK government's plan to prioritize UK medical graduates (UKMGs) over international medical graduates (IMGs) for specialty training starting in 2025. With increasing competition and limited training slots, IMG doctors, particularly those outside the UK, may face challenges in securing positions. Blessing advises considering alternative countries like Canada, Australia, and the US, or even starting residency in one’s home country. Ultimately, IMG doctors must weigh their options carefully before making career decisions amidst the changing UK healthcare landscape.

Takeaways

• 😀 The UK government plans to prioritize UK medical graduates over international medical graduate (IMG) doctors for specialty training in the NHS, with further details to be released in July 2025.
• 😀 IMG doctors who have been working in the NHS may receive some consideration for specialty training, though the level of this consideration remains unclear.
• 😀 In 2025, over 12,000 UK medical graduates are expected to complete their training, competing for limited specialty training slots, which may lead to fewer available spaces for IMG doctors.
• 😀 The introduction of UK medical graduate prioritization will increase competition for IMG doctors, especially for those who are not currently working in the UK.
• 😀 IMG doctors from outside the UK may face difficulties obtaining specialty training slots in their desired specialties due to the high competition and limited availability.
• 😀 Changes to the immigration policy, including a points-based system, are still uncertain, adding to the challenges IMG doctors face in gaining permanent status or working in the UK.
• 😀 Non-training posts in the NHS, another entry route for IMG doctors, are increasingly competitive, with many doctors now struggling to secure these roles due to high demand.
• 😀 If IMG doctors can't enter the NHS through specialty training, the next option is non-training posts, but competition for these roles has intensified, especially with UK graduates seeking them temporarily.
• 😀 Some IMG doctors who complete GP training face uncertainty about obtaining a job with sponsorship after completing their training due to financial struggles within GP practices.
• 😀 Alternatives to the UK include countries like Canada, Australia, the US, and others, where IMG doctors may find more opportunities, but some countries (e.g., France, Germany) may require language proficiency.

Q & A

What is the UK government's plan regarding medical graduate prioritization?

The UK government plans to prioritize UK medical graduates over international medical graduates (IMGs) for specialty training. This means UK graduates will be offered training positions first, and IMG doctors will compete for the remaining slots.

How does the government's plan affect IMG doctors already working in the NHS?

IMG doctors already working in the NHS may be considered for specialty training, but the extent of this consideration is unclear. They may still face competition for limited spots along with UK medical graduates and other IMG doctors.

What are the concerns regarding the number of available specialty training slots?

Currently, there are about 12,000 specialty training posts in the UK. With an increasing number of domestic medical graduates (over 12,000 expected in 2025), competition for these limited slots will intensify, leaving less room for IMG doctors to secure training positions.

What challenges might IMG doctors face in securing a specialty training spot in 2025?

IMG doctors outside the UK may struggle to secure specialty training spots as UK graduates are prioritized. With increased competition and a limited number of slots, IMG doctors may have to wait for another year or face challenges getting into their desired specialty.

How have changes to UK immigration policies affected IMG doctors?

Recent changes to UK immigration policies, including the introduction of a point-based system, have created uncertainty for IMG doctors. They are unsure about their chances of securing a settled status and the potential changes in the duration of required work experience for sponsorships.

What alternatives do IMG doctors have if they can't secure a specialty training position in the UK?

IMG doctors can consider alternative countries such as Canada, Australia, and the US, which are more open to IMG doctors. They could also consider starting residency training in their home country, as many countries have pathways for doctors with foreign training experience.

What difficulties are there for IMG doctors pursuing non-training roles in the UK?

There has been an outcry about the limited availability of non-training roles in the UK. IMG doctors are competing with UK medical graduates for these positions, and many practices are struggling financially and unable to offer sponsorships for these roles.

How does the new prioritization policy affect GP training for IMG doctors?

IMG doctors who train in GP roles in the UK are required to secure a sponsorship to continue working after their training. However, financial difficulties in GP practices and changes in sponsorship requirements have made it harder for IMG doctors to find sponsorship roles, leading to uncertainty about their future in the UK.

What advice does Blessing offer to IMG doctors considering moving to the UK?

Blessing suggests that IMG doctors carefully evaluate their decision to move to the UK, considering the intense competition for training slots, changes in immigration policy, and the financial challenges of securing a sponsorship. She also advises exploring alternative countries like Canada, Australia, and the US or starting residency training in their home country.

What is the impact of the UK medical graduate prioritization on IMG doctors' career progression?

The UK medical graduate prioritization may hinder IMG doctors' career progression in the UK by making it more difficult to secure a specialty training position in their desired specialty. This could lead to longer waiting times and limited career advancement opportunities, especially as competition increases.