Another route to stay in UK medicine and do global health?

July 29, 2009 by admin

Hi all

A supplementary comment to emily's post.  I've just started a Trust Grade post in HIV/ GU Medicine.  Its something I kind of stumbled across last year as an alternative to locum work, while preparing for overseas sabbatical.

I've now opted out of the foundation ST route, as I don't think this offers very much in the way of flexibility to do overseas work.  In my current post at Chelsea and Westminster, I have the same training opportunities as the other SHOs and SpRs but am on a six month contract.  Albeit I have a very supportive consultant who is helping me arrange overseas work in HIV medicine.

In GUM HIV there are lots of Staff Grade / Trust Grade jobs due to shortage of docs in this area, I dont know how this applies elsewhere. 
I guess the advantages are you can work and arrange overseas placements so you maintain the flexibility. 

Disadvantages: i think you get paid a bit less, mainly you won't get the breadth of hospital experience as with ST training and it lacks perhaps the prestige of being an ST.  It is possible to get back into the ST route at a later stage should you wish to stay in the UK.

But if gaining relevant UK experience combined with flexibility is important to you, it's worth a look.

Any one else in similar posts / situations?

Rebecca

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