UK citizen with Hong Kong qualifications

[hongkongdoctor]

Hi everyone

I'm an intern (foundation doctor) in Hong Kong where I received my medical education. I am also a UK citizen (naturalized before the British left)

Basically I'm fed up with living in HK in general (air pollution, high property prices, dont get me started...) and am exploring options of practicing elsewhere. I am interested in a career in surgery or oncology.

I understand that my medical degree (MBBS from HK University) no longer qualifies for registration with the GMC.

After some preliminary research on the internet my impression is that I have two options:

1. Take the PLAB exam now and apply for foundation doctor posts.
2. Stay in HK for my specialist training (which would lead to FRCS/ FRCR) after which I would be exempt from PLAB and can obtain registration with the GMC.

With respect to the two options I have the following questions:
1. What are my chances of getting a surgery/oncology training post after I pass PLAB, as a international medical graduate and UK citizen? I did OK at HKU (graduated in the top half of my class, published a few papers). I have previously attended school in UK so language/ blending in should be no problem. Is the UK short of doctors now?
2. If I choose to stay in HK for my specialist training, after obtaining the FRCS/FRCR would I be really exempt from exams and can I register directly with the GMC? Would I be eligible for registration for the specialist register or just the general register only?
3. After specialist training in HK (7 years, leading to FRCS/FRCR) if I do decide to relocate to the UK would I be eligible for consultant posts or do I have to start from Foundation or Registrar levels again? Is it realistic to obtain consultant posts?
4. What's surgical practice like in the UK? For example, are consultant general surgeons expected to be proficient in operating on all gen surg areas, eg breast, thyroid, hbp, colorectal or are they subspecialized in just one area? What are the work hours like for a consultant? (Not too concerned with this actually, since one cannot be 'overworked' after HK training... we're talking about 100 hour weeks here )

Any help would be much appreciated.

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[Medstart108]

Hi everyone

I'm an intern (foundation doctor) in Hong Kong where I received my medical education. I am also a UK citizen (naturalized before the British left)

Basically I'm fed up with living in HK in general (air pollution, high property prices, dont get me started...) and am exploring options of practicing elsewhere. I am interested in a career in surgery or oncology.

I understand that my medical degree (MBBS from HK University) no longer qualifies for registration with the GMC.

After some preliminary research on the internet my impression is that I have two options:

1. Take the PLAB exam now and apply for foundation doctor posts.
2. Stay in HK for my specialist training (which would lead to FRCS/ FRCR) after which I would be exempt from PLAB and can obtain registration with the GMC.

With respect to the two options I have the following questions:
1. What are my chances of getting a surgery/oncology training post after I pass PLAB, as a international medical graduate and UK citizen? I did OK at HKU (graduated in the top half of my class, published a few papers). I have previously attended school in UK so language/ blending in should be no problem. Is the UK short of doctors now?
2. If I choose to stay in HK for my specialist training, after obtaining the FRCS/FRCR would I be really exempt from exams and can I register directly with the GMC? Would I be eligible for registration for the specialist register or just the general register only?
3. After specialist training in HK (7 years, leading to FRCS/FRCR) if I do decide to relocate to the UK would I be eligible for consultant posts or do I have to start from Foundation or Registrar levels again? Is it realistic to obtain consultant posts?
4. What's surgical practice like in the UK? For example, are consultant general surgeons expected to be proficient in operating on all gen surg areas, eg breast, thyroid, hbp, colorectal or are they subspecialized in just one area? What are the work hours like for a consultant? (Not too concerned with this actually, since one cannot be 'overworked' after HK training... we're talking about 100 hour weeks here )

Any help would be much appreciated.

Consultants in the UK work 50-60 hours a week and Foundation year doctors work only about 40 hours a week. UK follows EU laws now and EU laws are incredibly easy on the working hours.

 

[hongkongdoctor]

Consultants in the UK work 50-60 hours a week and Foundation year doctors work only about 40 hours a week. UK follows EU laws now and EU laws are incredibly easy on the working hours.

Thanks for replying. Do you have answers for my other questions as well?

 

[Medstart108]

Thanks for replying. Do you have answers for my other questions as well?

Sorry i don't, i was just trying to answer what i could and bump the thread so others can see In addition, Foundation doctors have banding which means that although they work 40 hours a week, if they are willing to work more of those hours in unsociable hours (basically evening and nights) they can get more pay.