Living and Working in the UK

Working in the United Kingdom

The UK health and medical industry is dynamic and offers Locum Doctors a wealth of opportunities to broaden their experience and enhance their expertise. The majority of the Locum work available in the United Kingdom (UK) is through the National Health System (NHS). If you are not familiar with this system and would like to find out more please refer to our NHS introduction.

Living in the UK

Moving to a new country can be a daunting experience. Luckily there is lots of information available that can help make your move to the UK a smoother one. Some of the basic things you will need to consider when moving are below.

Geneva Doctors_Job Doctor

Relocation costs

As well as standard relocation costs (flights, initial accommodation etc) as a Doctor you will also need to consider the cost of professional registration.

If you want to practice as a Doctor in the United Kingdom (UK) you will need to register with the General Medical Council. Fees vary depending on what nationality you are and what type of registration you need, so please refer to the GMC website for information - http://www.gmc-uk.org/doctors/fees.asp

Cost of Living

Living in the UK, particularly London, is expensive compared to many places in the world. The cost of living of course depends on your individual situation but you still need to be prepared financially. For more information about general prices and household living please refer to Workgateways.

Salaries

The salary of a doctor is structured in a similar way to most other countries, as doctors in the UK are graded in seniority. Junior doctors earn a basic salary and will usually be paid a supplement. This supplement is based on the extra hours worked above a 40 hour standard working week and the intensity of the work. The most common banding supplement is 50% of basic salary. In the most junior hospital doctor post (foundation year 1) a doctor on a 50% supplement would earn £33,285.

This increases in the second year (foundation year 2) to £41,285. A doctor in specialist training on a 50% supplement could earn from £44,117 to £69,369.
Doctors in the new specialty doctor grade earn between £36,443and £67,959. 
Consultants can earn between £74,504 to £176,242, dependent on length of service and payment of additional performance related awards.


If you worked as a Geneva Doctors Locum, and through a limited company  your hourly rates would be:
£20 - £35 - House Officer (foundation year 1 FY1)
£40 - £50 - Senior House Officer  (FY2)
£50 - £75 - Speciality Doctor    
£70- £100 - Consultant

For more detailed information on salaries please email a Geneva Doctors consultant on medlocumapplications@genevadoctors.co.uk.

Tax and National Insurance Contributions

You will be taxed according to your income.  This is calculated on a sliding scale. For an introduction to income tax, including how much income tax you will pay please refer to the Direct Government website.

As well as paying Income Tax on your wages and on income from self-employment, you also have to pay National Insurance contributions (NICs). You pay NICs to build up your entitlement to certain social security benefits, including the State Pension.

If you're an employee, your employer will deduct tax (using the Pay As You Earn system) and NICs from your wages. If you're self-employed you'll be responsible for paying your own tax and NICs and filling in your Self Assessment tax return.

To work in the UK you need a NIC number, which is like your own personal account number. The number ensures that the National Insurance contributions and the tax you pay are properly recorded on your account. It also acts as a reference number for the whole social security system.

If you do not have a NIC number then you will need to apply for one as soon as you start work in the UK. To apply for a National Insurance number telephone the Jobcentre plus National Insurance allocation service helpline on  0845 600 0643.

Bank Accounts

We work in partnership with a major global financial services provider and can offer assistance with opening a UK bank account. For further information please contact our Locum team by emailing medlocum@genevahealth.co.uk

Renting or buying a house

The Direct Government website has lots of useful information on renting and buying property here.  If you are looking to rent a room in a flat or rent a flat these websites may be useful: Gumtree, Spareroom, Easy Room Mate or Letalife

Schooling

Education in the UK varies across the countries that make up the UK. However in general full-time education is compulsory for all children aged between 5 and 16. Students may then continue their secondary studies for a further two years (sixth form), leading most typically to an A level qualification, although other qualifications and courses exist. State-provided schools are free of charge to students. For more information please refer to http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/index.htm

Holidays

You are entitled to a minimum of 5.6 weeks paid annual leave (28 days for someone working five days a week). Your employer can control some things about your holiday, including when you should take it and whether they include bank holidays in your entitlement.

Locum Doctors will only recieve holiday pay (paid annual leave) if they are paid via the PAYE system. Please contact our Locum team for more information, by emailing medlocum@genevahealth.co.uk

Climate

The warmest months are June, July and August, temperatures seldom go above 30 °C (86 °F) in these months. The coldest months are December, January and February. Temperatures at this time of the year seldom drop below −10 °C (14 °F). Climate naturally varies depending on which part of UK you live in.

Seasons
Spring: May - March
Summer: June - August
Autumn: September - November
Winter: December - February

 


close

Login to your account

close