Nursing & Care News | Blog | Secure Healthcare Solutions

Bowel incontinence is a distressing condition where patients can’t control their bowel movements. It results in faecal leakage, which can impact the quality of life. With medical advancements, this condition is manageable with the right treatment plan and support.

A personalised plan including dietary changes, exercises, medications, therapies, and expert professional care can make a significant difference in people with bowel incontinence. Let’s understand what bowel incontinence is, its symptoms, treatment options, and getting expert bowel care.

What Is Bowel Incontinence?

Bowel incontinence, also known as faecal incontinence, refers to the lack of control of bowel movements. Patients with this condition pass or leak stool unintentionally. Depending on the individual, the severity may vary. Some people may leak stool while trying to pass gas, while others may have a complete loss of bowel control.

When bowel incontinence becomes chronic, patients may not be able to control the urge to defecate. It may come suddenly and intensely that they may not reach the toilet before the stool leaks. It is called urge incontinence.

Some people may have other health conditions leading to passive incontinence. They don’t realise that they have to pass stool, and so, it ends up leaking unintentionally.

Let’s explore the common reasons why bowel incontinence happens.

Common Causes of Bowel Incontinence

Often, digestive disorders or chronic diseases result in bowel incontinence. Some of the common reasons why bowel incontinence happens are:

Diarrhoea: Diarrhoea causes loose stool, and it can rush out quickly, leading to incontinence.
Constipation: Chronic constipation causes muscles to become loose because of the constant stretching when applying pressure while passing dry and hard stool. These loose muscles cause watery stool to leak. In some people, chronic constipation causes nerve damage, which can also lead to bowel incontinence.
Muscle damage: Women after childbirth may experience loose muscles, leading to faecal incontinence. It’s also more prevalent in older adults.
Enlarged haemorrhoids: In some people, haemorrhoids can prevent sphincter muscles from holding back stool, resulting in leakage.

Beyond these common causes, chronic illnesses like prostate issues, IBS, multiple sclerosis, dementia, or alzheimer’s can also cause bowel incontinence. In most cases, the bowel incontinence symptoms are clearly visible as patients experience unnecessary faecal leakage. Knowing the warning signals helps manage the condition.

Bowel Incontinence Symptoms and Warning Signs

Seeing streaks of stool or mucus on underwear is the first sign of faecal incontinence. Mild or infrequent bowel incontinence can often be managed at home.

Sudden or unexpected leakage when coughing or sneezing is an indication that bowel control is compromised. Pain or discomfort during bowel movement indicates gastrointestinal issues that can lead to incontinence. It can cause emotional or social distress.

While losing control of bowel movement is inconvenient and sometimes painful, treatment options are available.

Bowel Incontinence Treatment Options

Anal rectal exam and neurological exam are usually conducted to diagnose bowel incontinence. An endoscopy, ultrasound, and defecography tests may be conducted. The healthcare professional will also take a detailed history of the patient to determine the underlying cause of bowel incontinence.

Depending on the severity, the healthcare professional may prescribe anti-diarrheal drugs, laxatives (in case of constipation), and fibre supplements.

Exercises like Kegel exercises can be useful to improve the muscle tone of the anus and pelvic floor muscles. Bowel training may be suggested to create a schedule for better control of bowel movement. The healthcare provider may also recommend certain exercises that can help with controlling passing stool.

If underlying reasons like rectal prolapse cause faecal incontinence, surgery may be recommended to repair the damaged muscles. In case other treatments don’t work, a colostomy may be needed.

The healthcare professional commonly recommends making changes to everyday lifestyle to have better control of bowel movements.

Managing Bowel Incontinence in Daily Life

For mild cases of bowel incontinence, dietary and lifestyle changes,s including adding more fibre-rich foods and whole grain foods. Foods that can trigger diarrhoea, such as alcohol, caffeine, fatty foods, dairy products, spicy foods, and high fructose foods, must be avoided.

Regular exercises and exercises recommended by a physiotherapist must be done regularly to improve muscle tone for bowel control.

While mild symptoms can be managed by patients on their own, seeking professional medical help early is crucial to avoid complications.

When to Seek Medical or Professional Support

Professional medical support is necessary if the patient experiences more severe or frequent faecal leakage that affects their quality of life. Help must be sought immediately when bowel incontinence is accompanied by rectal bleeding, pain, cramping, or unexplained weight loss.

Depending on the recommended treatment plan, some patients may need expert support to manage their bowel movements.

Getting the Right Help and Support with Bowel Care

Professional bowel care support is available for patients who have bowel incontinence and need tailored care. Experts will listen to the needs of the patient and create a customised care plan with incontinence aids. Depending on the needs of the patient, incontinence experts create a diet and exercise regimen. They may offer support to retrain the bowel and create a toilet plan to help regain bowel control. They also help with stoma care.

Patients needing expert bowel care in Wolverhampton can connect with Secure Healthcare Solutions for personalised bowel care services.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system. One of the complications, often experienced by people with MS, is spasticity.

MS spasticity causes muscle stiffness, tightness, and sudden spasms. Some patients may experience it as constant tightness in their muscles, while some may experience pain during movement. It can also be painful, based on the severity.

When MS patients become dependent on others for daily functioning, their confidence takes a dive, and this also impacts their emotional wellbeing. In this blog, we explain what MS spasticity is, how to manage daily tasks, treatment, physiotherapy, and exercise options that can help. We also explore how structured care improves long-term outcomes.

What is Spasticity in MS?

Due to multiple sclerosis, the electrical signals that normally tell the muscles to relax get disrupted. When these signals misfire, the muscles remain contracted when the patient tries to move. It can also happen when they are simply lying down. It affects daily movement, speech, and walking.

Beyond stiffness in arms, legs, hips, or back, some patients may also feel sudden jerks, cramps, or painful spasms. The severity and symptoms vary and worsen with fatigue, infection, or temperature change.

Patients with MS Spasticity may experience them as:

Flexor spasticity: Muscles become tight, and limbs (mostly the hips or knees) are bent and are difficult to straighten.
Extensor spasticity: Muscles become tight such that the limbs, mostly legs, stay straight and are difficult to bend.

These symptoms can make it difficult to carry out routine daily tasks. In the next section, let’s explore how to manage spasticity in everyday life.

Managing Spasticity in MS Day to Day

For spasticity to be managed, patients with multiple sclerosis must identify the triggers and make changes to their environment in order to eliminate these factors. Usually, the following external factors may contribute to an increase in muscle tension:

Tight clothing or shoes
Extreme temperatures, such as heat or cold
Infections like UTIs
Stress and anxiety

Keeping a record of everyday activities, diet, and level of stress will allow patients and the healthcare team to discuss potential triggers. The most important thing for the management plan for spasticity in MS is avoidance of triggers, since spasticity is not continuous in patients with MS.

Exercises to Reduce Spasticity and Help Movement

Mindful movements through regular exercise can help with muscle stiffness. It can be almost impossible for patients to move when their muscles are very tight, but inactivity will cause the muscles to weaken further. Some of the exercises commonly recommended for spasticity in MS include:

Passive stretching: A gentle movement of the limbs along their full range of motion
Active stretching: Reaching, bending, and extending the different limbs to allow muscle fibre elongation
Yoga and Tai Chi: Slow and controlled movement integrated with deep breathing
Strengthening: Movements to improve core strength

These reduce the incidence of spasms. Nevertheless, physiotherapists can offer better assistance as they guide the patients to do these movements.

Physiotherapy for MS Spasticity

Physiotherapy creates a tailored movement plan to help MS patients with improved mobility. They can be useful for:

Gait training: To help patients walk safely
Positioning advice: To learn correct posture while sitting or lying down to discourage muscle shortening
Hydrotherapy: Performing exercises in a warm pool to soothe and relax tight muscle groups
Equipment support: Orthotics, splints, or walking aids help position limbs in the correct position

In more severe cases of MS spasticity, additional support in the form of medication may be needed.

MS Spasticity Treatment: Medication and Clinical Options

Clinical interventions like prescription medications may be recommended by physicians overseeing MS patients to help with MS spasticity. Neurologists may recommend medications to help with overactive signals that cause spasticity. The right combination of medication depends on the patient’s health condition and prevailing symptoms.

As there is no specific cure for MS, beyond medication and physiotherapy, lifestyle changes are necessary to control and manage the MS spasticity symptoms.

Lifestyle Tips for MS Muscle Spasms

Some lifestyle changes to help relieve muscle stiffness symptoms include:

Hydration: Not drinking enough water can affect muscles by making them cramp, thus worsening muscle stiffness.
Magnesium intake: Magnesium is suitable for muscle relaxation, and some supplements may assist. Get the advice of a healthcare professional before taking any supplements.
Temperature control: Uncontrolled external temperature can be managed with the use of heated blankets in winter or cooling vests in summer.
Mindfulness techniques: Progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) is taught by experts, in which the body tension can be released consciously for mobility improvements.

How Secure Healthcare Can Support Multiple Sclerosis Care

Multiple Sclerosis patients need a multifaceted approach to managing the disease. They can seek help from a doctor, who can give the right medication balance, and a physiotherapist, who can offer exercise interventions to alleviate stiffness in the muscles.

Quality of life can improve with expert care from Secure Healthcare Solutions, particularly for people dealing with MS spasticity. Expert care includes daily stretching, on-time medication, and managing environmental triggers to avoid flare-ups. Trained experts help with mobility and provide emotional support during flare-ups to keep the patient as independent as possible.

For professional Multiple Sclerosis Care in Wolverhampton, our expert team can facilitate care for managing spasticity due to MS.

Parkinson’s disease is a chronic and slowly progressing neurological disorder that causes many symptoms, such as tremors and movement stiffness. In the UK, 153,000 people are living with Parkinson’s.

Although there is no permanent cure for the disease, Parkinson’s symptoms can be effectively managed with medication, therapies, and consistent support so that patients can have a better quality of life.

Patients with Parkinson’s need supportive care to manage their medications and adapt daily routines. In this guide, we cover the key aspects of living with Parkinson’s, symptom management, and care and support options in the UK.

Signs of Parkinson’s Disease and How They Affect Daily Life

As Parkinson’s is a progressive neurological disorder, the symptoms start slowly, but continue to affect movements over time. Typical signs and symptoms of Parkinson’s disease include:

Tremors: Tremors are often the first symptoms of Parkinson’s. More commonly, they occur in the hands and feet, but some people have tremors in their jaw or tongue.
Muscle rigidity: Stiffness in the neck, hands, feet, or back stops people with Parkinson’s from moving freely.
Anxiety and depression: Parkinson’s takes its toll on emotional health, and almost half of Parkinson’s patients have depression and anxiety. It could also be due to the chemical changes in the brain because of the disease.

Other symptoms like issues with bladder control, constipation, restless legs, and low blood pressure may also occur in Parkinson’s patients. Many also have sleep difficulties, mood disturbances, and irritability.

The symptoms vary from one person to another. Patients who have Parkinson’s with dementia may experience significant cognitive decline within a few years of showing the motor symptoms. Patients with Parkinson’s, as well as their caregivers and families, must take care of their mental well-being.

Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health

Living with Parkinson’s, knowing that there is no cure and symptoms will only worsen over time, can affect the mental health of patients. Further, chemical changes in their brain further impact cognitive health, sleep, and mood. Often, patients with Parkinson’s have low mood or withdraw socially.

Parkinson’s disease has over 40 symptoms, and early diagnosis is often challenging. Counsellors can help patients to develop coping strategies, and support groups can share their experiences to make sure that the patient doesn’t feel alone.

Families taking care of patients with Parkinson’s at home also go through emotional distress. The patients may need continuous and supportive care throughout their lifetime. In the next section, let’s explore how people with Parkinson’s can continue to stay independent.

How to Manage Parkinson’s Symptoms and Stay Independent

Medication helps to reduce dopamine deficiency, and therefore, most medications include a combination of Levodopa with others that ease motor symptoms. Finding an appropriate combination of medications for the patient is essential, with adjustments required over time as symptoms change.

Therapy is important for allowing patients with Parkinson’s to be independent. Physiotherapy is aimed at balance and movement. Speech and language therapy would be necessary for communication and control of swallowing. Some people may require occupational therapy to cope with daily living.

Active living is encouraged among persons with Parkinson’s to minimise stiffness and enhance mood. Social connectivity, family support, and professional assistance can lead to a remarkable difference in quality of life.

Parkinson’s Care and Support Options in the UK

In the UK, Parkinson’s UK is a well-known charity that offers advice, connections with local support groups, and helplines for patients with Parkinson’s and their families. They help find services closer to the patient for better care and support.

Depending on the severity of the condition, patients with Parkinson’s may need continuous home support. Some may be independent on their own with occasional check-ins, while some may require full-time live-in care. Families also choose care homes to take care of their loved ones with Parkinson’s for safe and round-the-clock support.

NHS Services for People with Parkinson’s

The NHS offers diagnosis, specialist treatment, and ongoing care for living with Parkinson’s. Neurologists, therapists, and trained nurses come together to offer treatment and care for Parkinson’s patients. They review patients with Parkinson’s regularly, as each one needs a customised treatment approach.

The NHS continuing healthcare package is available free of charge on an ongoing basis outside of the hospital. It is offered based on the Parkinson’s assessment, and depending on the condition of the patient, they can choose between residential or at-home care.

While the NHS strives to offer free-of-charge ongoing care for Parkinson’s, it’s not easily accessible to everyone due to limited awareness, variations in assessment, eligibility criteria, and bureaucracy. Beyond the NHS, families and patients with Parkinson’s can get customised and expert supportive care with dedicated health services.

How Secure Healthcare Solutions Can Help with Parkinson’s Care

Secure Healthcare Solutions offers tailored support to people with Parkinson’s. Experts create personalised care plans that respect individual preferences.

Patients can get assistance for daily tasks, mobility, support with rehabilitation therapies, and negotiations with health professionals. Safety is the primary concern; every effort is made to allow patients to remain as independent as possible. Professionals work with families and patients to draw up a care plan addressing the concerns of all involved parties, including patients, caregivers, and families. It helps in maintaining dignity and quality of life in the face of changing symptoms.

If you are seeking local supportive Parkinson’s care in Wolverhampton, Secure Healthcare can help with trained caregivers and health professionals.

FAQs

Can you drive with Parkinson’s?

Driving ability with Parkinson’s depends on the patient’s symptoms. Many people continue to drive during the early stages of the disease as long as they meet the local driving requirements. However, you must inform DVLA about your diagnosis and follow their guidance. Your doctor can assess your fitness to drive.

What benefits can I claim with Parkinson’s disease in the UK?

Multiple benefits like Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), or Statutory Sick Pay are available for patients with Parkinson’s. However, the eligibility depends on care needs, health status, and assessment. Diagnosis alone doesn’t qualify you for these benefits.

Is Parkinson’s disease a disability?

Yes, under the UK equality law, Parkinson’s is recognised as a disability if the symptoms are substantial and cause a long-term impact on daily activities. This recognition supports access to benefits, legal protections, and workplace adjustments.

Are you interested in working as a doctor in the UK, but completed your medical degree overseas? You must apply for GMC registration for overseas doctors. If you meet the eligibility requirements, GMC may approve your application and offer you a license to work provisionally, part-time, or full-time as a doctor.

In this blog, we give you the eligibility requirements and GMC registration process in detail, along with fees and timelines to help you with your career goals.

Why Overseas Doctors Need GMC Registration in the UK

The General Medical Council (GMC) issues the license to practise medicine to all doctors in the UK. Only licensed doctors are allowed to write prescriptions, treat patients, and sign death certificates.

Whether you want to work with the NHS or in an independent healthcare facility, you need GMC registration. This is applicable for all who wish to work full-time or part-time, permanent or on a locum basis.

The GMC ensures, through the license, that the doctors follow the prescribed good medical practice guidelines and adhere to the GMC Fitness to Practise actions. This registration is mandatory for all levels of doctors, such as provisional, general practitioner, or specialist.

If doctors have GMC registration, but don’t have a license, they may work as academics or outside the UK. They cannot, however, do any clinical work in the UK without a license.

Those who have never registered with the GMC must apply for registration and a license to practise. In the next section, let’s understand the eligibility requirements for GMC registration.

Eligibility and GMC Registration Requirements for Overseas Doctors

The eligibility requirement for GMC registration depends on multiple aspects, such as:

Nationality of the applicant
Country in which the applicant obtained the primary medical qualification
Type of work the doctor wants to perform in the UK
Completion of post-graduate training or an applicable internship

The eligibility requirements for GMC registration for overseas doctors are:

Primary Medical Qualification: Doctors must have a recognised medical degree. Whether you studied medicine in the UK or overseas, the GMC expects you to meet the primary medical qualification criteria. The GMC takes additional measures to verify overseas qualifications. Doctors who studied overseas may need to provide additional evidence to avoid rejection. Many candidates face rejection if they completed a primary medical qualification in one of the universities, not approved by the GMC.
English Language Proficiency: Overseas doctors must demonstrate their English proficiency. GMC expects you to score a minimum of 7.0 in each testing area and an overall score of 7.5 with the IELTS academic test. GMC also accepts the OET medical version of the test with at least a B grade in each testing area. These tests are also required for applying for a UK visa.
Internship or Clinical Experience: Overseas doctors must have completed an internship equivalent to UK standards. This can be proof that you have the clinical skills required to be a doctor in the UK.
Qualification Verification: Those who are qualified at a medical school and do not have provisional registration must complete ECFMG verification through the online EPIC service.

GMC has established these eligibility requirements to ensure that the overseas doctors have the education and skills to practice as clinical doctors in the UK hospitals.

GMC Registration Routes Explained

Depending on your educational background and experience, you can apply for GMC registration through different routes.

PLAB (Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board) Route

This is the most common route for overseas doctors without a recognised postgraduate qualification. Overseas doctors must complete the PLAB 1 written exam, which contains multiple-choice questions. PLAB 2 is a practical, objective structured clinical exam (OSCE).

Within two years of passing PLAB 1, you must take PLAB 2. Each part can be attempted up to 4 times. One final fifth attempt is allowed if you show evidence of additional training. Doctors following the PLAB route must pass both PLAB 1 and 2 before they can apply for GMC registration.

Postgraduate Qualification Route

Doctors who have a postgraduate medical qualification from the RCP, MRCS, or other universities recognised by the GMC may be eligible for full registration without PLAB. This, however, depends on specific qualifications and their compliance with UK standards.

Sponsorship Route

Doctors can apply for GMC registration through the sponsored route. To qualify for this route, you must hold an acceptable primary medical qualification and be selected for postgraduate training by a UK medical royal college, faculty, postgraduate institution, or one of the approved sponsors. It may also be applicable for those who have practised medicine for 3 out of the last 5 years, including the last 12 months.

The steps for preparation, cost, and timeline vary based on the registration route you are eligible for. Overseas doctors must make the right choice to avoid unnecessary costs and tests.

Step-by-Step Overview of the GMC Registration Process

Regardless of the route you choose to follow, the GMC registration process for overseas doctors is basically similar:

Check the acceptability of the qualification: First, ensure that the medical degree you have is acceptable as per GMC standards. You can find an online tool on the GMC’s official website to check this.
Ensure language requirements: Complete IELTS or OET tests and secure the necessary minimum scores.
Prepare documents: GMC requires you to submit evidence of a medical degree, internship, clinical experience, and certificates of good standing. Collect all the required documents in English.
Submit documents: GMC requires you to upload all the required documents to the EPIC verification system. Only verified documents will be accepted.
Take required exams: If you follow the PLAB route, take the necessary tests.
Apply for GMC registration online: Once you meet all the prerequisite conditions, submit your application through the GMC online account. Provide supporting evidence wherever necessary.

Once you complete the registration process, GMC will conduct identity verification. Only after verification, GMC offers provisional or full registration based on your eligibility.

Now that you know the steps involved in getting registration, let’s understand the fees and time it takes to get GMC registration.

GMC Registration Fee for Overseas Doctors and Timelines (2026)

The GMC registration fee varies based on the type of registration you seek. The fees for 2026 are given below:

Fees to join the register	Effective from 01-Apr-26
Application for provisional registration with a licence to practise	£26.00
Application for full registration with a licence to practise	£481.00
Application for full registration with a licence to practise for a temporary period for a visiting eminent specialist	£481.00
Scrutiny fee if your application to join the register is refused, closed or withdrawn	£110.00

In addition to the above fees, doctors who take the PLAB route must pay PLAB test fees of £283.00 for Part 1 and £1,036.00 for Part 2. The GMC registration timeline varies for overseas doctors based on their eligibility and route chosen.

Final Summary and Next Steps

GMC registration is a multi-stage process, which begins with checking qualification requirements, choosing the right route, taking the necessary exam, verifying documents, and finally applying for a full or provisional license with the GMC. Once registered, overseas doctors get varied opportunities to work in the UK healthcare system. Choose the right pathway that aligns with your career goals, experience, and timeline needs.

If you wish to pursue opportunities to work as a doctor in the UK after GMC registration, explore GP Locum jobs in Wolverhampton that offer flexibility and valuable NHS experience.

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References:

https://www.gmc-uk.org/registration-and-licensing/join-our-registers/before-you-apply-guide-for-doctors/evidence-of-your-knowledge-of-english/using-your-oet-certificate
https://www.gmc-uk.org/registration-and-licensing/managing-your-registration/fees-and-funding/fees-for-doctors

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For aspiring doctors expecting to train and work in the UK, it’s essential to understand what doctor salaries are within the National Health Service (NHS) for different jobs. Pay scales for NHS doctors are nationally determined and organised according to grade. They are subject to regular independent review.

The difference between a foundation doctor’s paycheck and a consultant’s salary might surprise you. Supplements boost a salary significantly, and gaining experience has its financial benefits, too.

Let’s look at the NHS doctor pay bands from foundation training to consultant, including the figures for 2025-26.

Understanding NHS Pay Bands and Doctor Grades

NHS doctors are remunerated under particular contract sets, which form the base of the NHS doctor pay bands system. Under the 2016 Resident Doctor Contract, trainees and senior doctors, including Speciality and Associate Specialist (SAS) doctors and consultants, have different national pay scales.

Progression across the NHS salary bands for doctors in each grade is typically based on the length of service in post and the level of responsibilities.

The salary figures given below are for basic salaries before overtime, payments for working unsociable hours, or other allowances.

Junior Doctor Pay Bands (Foundation & Core Training)

Junior doctors are now legally termed as resident doctors. They are qualified doctors who are in the midst of completing their postgraduate training. Their pay is determined based on the 2016 contract by nodal points, forming the basis of the Junior doctor salary UK structure.

For the 2025-26 financial year:

Foundation Year 1 (FY1): £38,831
Foundation Year 2 (FY2): £44,439
Core Training 1-2/ ST1-2: £52,656
Core Training 3-2/ST3-5: £65,048
ST6 – ST8: £73,992

These pay rates represent the minimum pay of junior doctors’ salaries in the UK framework. Many doctors make additional income from banding supplements for nights, weekends, and on-call duties.

This reflects an estimated 5.4% overall increase in the 2025-26 award for resident doctors, comprising 4% uplift plus a consolidated £750 payment.

Further analysis also shows that when banding supplements are factored in, many foundation doctors actually take home more than their basic salary.

Registrar & Speciality Training Doctor Pay Bands

Specialist registrars (ST3-ST8) are specialised doctors within training, in either medicine or surgery. They assume more clinical responsibility and have longer rotations. Their pay falls under the NHS registrar doctor salary structure.

The pay scale for registrars applicable for 2025-26 is:

ST1-2: £52,656
ST3-5: £65,048
ST6 – ST8: £73,992

These rates relate to registrar doctor salary in all years of training. Gross income frequently is higher than base salary for work not only in unsociable hours, but also in performance supplements.

Based on independent analysis, the pay may reach around £80,500 a year for senior registrars when other elements of pay are also considered.

SAS (Speciality and Associate Specialist) Doctor Pay Bands

SAS doctors are fully trained doctors who have not taken up formal training pathways and who are often appointed following core or speciality training overseas or within the UK. They provide consistent care in hospital and community environments. Their pay is categorised under the SAS doctor salary UK pay framework.

As per the 2025 pay circular, SAS pay has been uplifted in line with consultant uplifts (usually approximately 4% on the basic pay scales).

The exact base pay scale for SAS doctors in England tends to follow national scales, which puts them above senior registrars but below consultants. Analysis from pay resources indicates:

For specialists on the 2021 contract, the salary may vary from £100,870 to £111,441 based on experience.

Consultant Pay Bands in the NHS

Consultants are the highest grade of clinical doctors in the NHS. Their basic pay grade defines the upper end of the consultant doctor salary UK structure, which bears leadership responsibility and clinical supervision.

From an analysis of NHS earnings, the starting salary for a consultant is £109,725, while for a consultant with 14+ years of experience, the same grade can be £145,475. Full-time consultants have an average earning of £161,600, including supplements.

For an established doctor in the UK, the basic salary is often augmented with pay for being on-call and working out of hours. This may mean a lot in certain places, particularly those working in emergency sections.

Additional Earnings and Allowances

Basic pay is only one part of an NHS doctor’s remuneration across all NHS salary bands. Other earnings include:

Overnight, weekend, and holiday working, which are available as unsocial hours payment
Banding supplements depending on the intensity and antisocial nature of the work rota
High-cost area supplements for geographical location in high-cost locations such as London
Flexible pay premia, which is uplifted by 4% in the 2025-26 pay award
SAS doctors and consultants may also get clinical impact awards (CIAs) for exceptional contributions

How NHS Doctor Pay Has Changed in 2025

Doctors’ pay in the NHS is reviewed each year, following recommendations of the Review Body on Doctors’ and Dentists’ Remuneration. In 2025-26, the government accepted the recommendations for an average pay rise of 5.4% for doctors in training, including a consolidated payment.

Consultant and SAS pay scales were also uplifted by approximately 4% from April 2025 to align with the wider NHS pay awards.

Conclusion

For doctors joining the medical workforce in the United Kingdom, NHS doctor pay bands provide clarity on the salaries. Pay increases as training grade and level of responsibilities increase.

In addition to the basic salary, earnings can be substantially boosted by extra pay for working unsociable hours and being on call.

Prospective physicians may also want to look beyond headline salary and consider how allowances and long-term pension benefits contribute to overall remuneration. For those seeking clinical internships or jobs through a healthcare agency in Wolverhampton, knowing these salary ranges helps determine educational and career options.

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References:

https://shrgroup.uk/blog/nhs-pay-scales-for-doctors/
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nhs-pay-awards-2025-to-2026-resident-doctors/resident-doctors-pay-award-2025-to-2026-investing-in-our-medical-workforce
https://www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk/resource/exploring-the-earnings-of-nhs-doctors-in-england-2025-update
https://www.nhsemployers.org/system/files/2025-06/Pay-and-Conditions-Circular-MD-2-2025_0.pdf
https://www.bma.org.uk/pay-and-contracts/pay/specialist-associate-specialist-and-specialty-doctors-pay-scales/pay-scales-for-sas-doctors-in-england

A spinal cord injury can happen in a split second due to an accident, fall, or medical condition.

It affects the person physically and emotionally. The family and loved ones must also be prepared to provide care and support for the patient for the long term.

Understanding what a spinal cord injury is, how it happens, its symptoms, and possible treatments can help patients and families to face the condition with confidence and hope.

What is a Spinal Cord Injury?

A spinal cord injury affects the nerve pathways between the brain and the rest of the body. The spinal cord is a thick bundle of nerves that runs from the base of the brain down the back. If it’s damaged, resulting in an injury, the patient may experience issues with movement control and sensation. In case of severe spinal cord injury, it can affect breathing and bladder control.

Depending on how severe the injury is, the patient may experience changes in their strength, sensation, and bodily functions below the level of injury. Some injuries may allow partial nerve communication to continue, while others completely block the signals below the injury site.

So, the impact on the patient depends on where the spine is damaged and how severe it is.

First, let’s look at why spinal cord injury happens.

Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal cord injury can happen to anyone due to traumatic causes. In most cases, this can be due to:

Road accidents
Falls from significant heights, particularly among older adults
Sports injuries from high-impact activities like rugby, horse riding, etc
Violent acts
Workplace accidents

Sometimes, SCI can also happen without any traumatic event. The following conditions can also injure the spine:

Spinal cord infections
Tumours compressing the spinal cord
Degenerative conditions like arthritis
Medical procedures or surgeries that result in complications
Congenital conditions

When the spinal cord is severely injured due to traumatic events, the symptoms will be evident. However, minor injuries may not be clearly visible.

Symptoms and Types of Spinal Cord Injury

A patient with a spinal cord injury may experience the following:

Movement issues or total loss of movement in arms, legs, or in one or both sides
Loss of feeling hot, cold, or touch
Loss of ability to control urine or bowels
Difficulty in breathing
Intense pain or stinging sensations
Muscle spasms
Nerve-related pain
Abnormal heart rate, blood pressure, or temperature

Depending on the extent of spinal cord injury, it can be:

Complete spinal cord injury: Signals don’t pass through the damaged section, resulting in no motor or sensory function below the injury level.
Incomplete spinal cord injury: For some patients, some nerve signals may pass through, which allows partial movement or sensation.

Based on spinal level or the site of injury, SCI may be called.

Cervical injuries: Affecting the neck, which generally impact arms, legs, and breathing
Thoracic injuries: Affecting the chest and lower body
Lumbar and sacral injuries: Affecting legs and pelvic organs

The spinal cord injury treatment must be customised for each patient.

Treatment Options for Spinal Cord Injury in the UK

Spinal cord injury treatment aims to protect the nerve functions that still remain and support the best possible recovery so that a good quality of life can be attained.

Immediately after a fall, violent action, or traumatic event, injury to the spinal cord must be addressed to minimise the damage and life-threatening risks. Some patients may need surgery to relieve pressure from their spinal cord, stabilise vertebrae, or repair fractures.

Appropriate medications may be needed for pain, nerve-related symptoms, and muscle tightness. If the injury is due to infection, a blood clot, or low blood pressure, the medical regimen must be followed properly. Resolving the issues may minimise or reduce damage to the spinal cord.

Recovery from a spinal injury takes time. Rehabilitation through physiotherapy and occupational therapy helps regain strength, movement, and normal activity. In most severe cases, the long-term rehabilitation plan may include respiratory and speech therapy.

Living With a Spinal Cord Injury

Life after a spinal cord injury requires adjustments across many areas. Depending on the extent and severity of injuries, daily routines may change dramatically.

Some people with spinal cord injuries may require help with daily activities like washing, dressing, or moving around the home. Wheelchairs, mobility aids, and adaptive equipment may be needed to help the patient become independent, but it also involves targeted care until the patient is strong enough to be independent.

Protecting the skin and avoiding pressure sores are important for patients who can’t move on their own. Structured daily care also involves helping the patients with bladder and bowel routines.

Regular health reviews are necessary to reduce complications. Patients need time, physical strength, and emotional resilience to recover from spinal cord injury and return to their normal lives as much as possible.

Emotional adjustment plays a major role here. Not only for the patient, but also for the friends and family who provide continuous care. Often, patients with spinal cord injury who can’t move or do normal activities on their own feel anxiety, frustration, or low mood. Expert psychological support, peer network, and community organisations can offer practical reassurance and shared understanding.

With consistent support from experts, people can return to work, education, and have a good social life. Gaining independence and taking back control of life can be different for individuals with different levels of spinal cord injury. Often, progress happens as steady gains instead of a rapid change.

Conclusion – How Secure Healthcare Solutions Can Help

Recovery and life after a spinal cord injury demand long-term coordinated care. The outcomes also differ for patients based on injury, treatment plan, rehabilitation, and extent of support at home.

Secure Healthcare Solutions offers specialised and person-centred care shaped around individual teams. Trained teams assist with daily activities and help with mobility support. They establish rehabilitation routines and provide emotional support for the patient and their families.

Individuals looking for trusted support can explore spinal cord injury care in Wolverhampton to build a stable, dignified, and sustainable care plan.

If a healthcare provider tells you about going from a ventilator to tracheostomy, you probably have a million questions running through your mind. Will it hurt? Will they be able to talk? Is this permanent?

Families worry about the patient’s comfort, safety, and recovery when making changes to breathing support. Often, they wonder whether it’s the right step for recovery.

The transition from ventilator to tracheostomy is, in fact, a hopeful turning point. It’s a sign that the medical team sees progress and wants to give the patient a more comfortable way to breathe and heal.

However, it requires new equipment and a small learning curve. At the same time, it tends to bring better sleep, less sedation, easier communication, and a steadier recovery path.

In this blog, we give you the reason behind the doctor’s decision for tracheostomy, and how you can safely move the patient home for recovery with help from support services.

Why Doctors Recommend Moving from a Ventilator to a Tracheostomy

A ventilator is a tube in the mouth, which works well for brief support. However, keeping a patient on a ventilator for a longer duration can cause issues like pressure on the throat, voice box strain, and the need for more sedatives.

That’s why doctors recommend tracheostomy: to lower sedation, provide a stable airway, and reduce discomfort for the patient. The tracheostomy tube sits in a stable position and causes less strain on the patient. It supports a safer and longer recovery path.

Often, families notice a change quickly. Most patients open their eyes more often, and feeding plans can become simpler.

Now, let’s understand what patients and families can expect.

Tracheostomy Care Procedure: What to Expect

The tracheostomy procedure may happen at the patient’s bedside or in a theatre, depending on the clinical setting. An anaesthetic will be given to the patient so that they do not feel any pain or awareness throughout the procedure.

The surgeon creates a small opening in the front of the neck and places a tube directly into the trachea. The tube may be connected to a ventilator or left open, depending on how well the patient can breathe on their own. The tracheostomy tube also allows quick suction to clear mucus for steady breathing.

The families usually wait outside until the staff completes the procedure. The neck will have dressings, and the tube may be more visible compared to the previous airway support.

It may seem alarming, but the tracheostomy design helps the patient breathe with less distress and pressure on the throat.

The respiratory team can adjust ventilator settings, and nurses maintain a close watch. Speech and swallow specialists often assess the patient and guide a safe recovery path.

The recovery starts with early adjustments and continuous care.

Recovery After a Tracheostomy

As mentioned earlier, the recovery takes time. In the early days, the patient may have weakness and neck discomfort and feel more fatigued. Some patients may sense dryness inside their airway, and some others may notice more mucus. These effects reduce gradually as the patient heals.

The first noticeable improvement will be in breathing as the patient will have less sedation. They will be more aware, and nurses encourage gentle movements in the bed. The respiratory team will keep checking the tube to keep the airway clear.

Talking may take some time as the vocal cords will be above the tracheostomy opening. For some patients, experts may advise using a special valve that allows for better speech safety. A speech therapist guides patients and families in supporting communication through simple cues, touch, or writing until the voice returns.

As the patient improves, oral feeding may begin slowly based on the doctor’s advice. Swallowing is usually difficult at first, and returning to normal meals will take time. A swallow specialist helps the patient and family adapt to oral feeding without fear. Until then, some patients may need tube feeding. A dietician will be supportive at this stage for proper nutrient intake.

Dressings will protect the tracheostomy tube, and they must be kept clean and dry. The patient should not touch the tube without guidance, and the team will teach safe steps for the patient and the family to take care of the tracheostomy tube.

Living with a Tracheostomy: Communication, Mobility & Daily Care

Life with a tracheostomy shifts the daily routine. The patient will need support from the family to adjust to the new routine and regain confidence.

Communication: Until speech returns, the patient can communicate using writing pads or electronic devices. This requires patience and strong support from speech therapists.
Mobility: As the patient will be more aware, movement helps with recovery, especially if the patient is breathing without a ventilator. Taking small steps between a chair and bed gives strength to both lungs and muscles. At all times, the tracheostomy tube will stay secure. Nurses and physiotherapists will guide the patient.
Daily Care: The tracheostomy tube requires regular cleaning as secretions can cause blockages. Inner parts of the tube must be checked to see if there is mucus. Moreover, the skin around the opening also needs gentle care to prevent soreness. The nurses may help in the beginning, but with practice, families and healthcare assistants can complete it.

When a routine forms, most patients can adjust well. They can eat in a comfortable position and rest better. They may also communicate better and regain strength to go back home.

Transitioning from Hospital to Home: What Families Need to Know

With a strong support system, the doctor may be willing to release the patient for home care. This can be a remarkable change in the environment of the patient and how families offer support.

In this stage, the families may be more concerned because they worry about patient care without nurses and constant monitoring. However, with professional support, this transition from hospital to home care for tracheostomy patients can be smooth.

The one taking care of the patient can get advice from doctors and nurses on cleaning the tube and its inner parts. They will also be taught about urgent situations and how to respond to them.

At home, adjustments are needed to prepare a clean and safe space to store supplies and suction machines. Families need to have a clear plan for day and nighttime care, along with instructions on what to do during emergencies. Patients are often more at ease when they can return home for recovery.

Families feel more confident when they get professional support from healthcare assistants who understand the specialised care needed for people living with tracheostomy.

How Secure Healthcare Solutions Can Support You at Home

Secure Healthcare Solutions offers tracheostomy care in Wolverhampton with trained and compassionate staff. We assist with daily routines, tube care, equipment checks, and suction. Our goal is to ensure comfort for the patient and guide families through difficult moments.

We work with families to build confidence at a steady pace and maintain a clean and safe environment. Our support gives patients a better chance to recover in the comfort of their own homes while easing the pressure on family members.

The way a person learns and understands the world shapes how they perceive the world, communicate, and build relationships. When someone has a learning disability, it can affect the way they interact with the world, and they need more than basic care.

Person-centred care for learning disabilities places focus on the individual and supports them in gaining control of their life. This requires shaping the care around the person’s preferences, abilities, support needs, and their long-term goals.

In this blog, we explain why person-centred care matters for people with learning disabilities and how dedicated services can help individuals gain independence and confidence.

What is Person Centred Care for Learning Disabilities?

People with learning difficulties may have difficulties with pace and learning style. They may have unique communication needs and sensory preferences that give them emotional comfort. Person-centred care works with people so that they can direct their own support to build a life that reflects the individual’s hopes and dreams.

The key elements of person-centred care are:

Individual choice: People choose who supports them, how support is delivered, and what goals matter the most.
Accessible information: The information must match the person’s level of understanding. In practice, this may involve creating plain language sheets, symbols, photos, short videos, or spoken explanations that are adapted to the person with the learning disability.
Consistent relationships: Person-centred care creates a trust system over time with stable support workers who help reduce anxiety and encourage active involvement.
Respect for varied communication styles: Some people with learning disabilities use short phrases of speech, while others may use signing or even assistive technology. The person offering the care adapts to these differences and helps the individual learn and thrive.

Let’s understand the core principles of person-centred care next.

Core Principles of Person Centred Care for Learning Disabilities

Person-centred care for learning disabilities teaches confidence, social interaction, road sense, emotional regulation, community participation, and more. The core principles create a personalised plan that reflects the individual’s choice and voice. The following are the core principles:

Person Leads the Process

People with learning disabilities guide decisions about their lives. They will have space to express their likes and dislikes in their own way, and the staff listens to them patiently without rushing or assuming.

For example, someone may need extra time to think before replying, while another person may prefer choosing the answer from a list of options instead of speaking. A person-centred approach focuses on the learning aspect, customising the activity, and honouring the differences between the individuals.

Care Adapts to Cognitive and Sensory Needs

Learning disabilities differ widely. Some individuals process information slowly, and some others need short, but clear instructions. Sensory overload is a common issue in busy settings.

Person-centred care also pays attention to the environment so that it’s not overwhelming. The staff reduces background noise, breaks tasks into simple steps, and creates familiar routines to reduce anxiety. These adjustments protect comfort and dignity.

Strengths Guide the Support Plan

Strong patterns of attention, creativity, or memory are generally observed in people with learning disabilities. The personalised care plan focuses on individual strengths and uses them to help with learning. Whether the individual needs a structured setting or a more relaxed travel training, personalised care creates powerful strength-led tools that help the person with long-term growth.

Communication Forms the Basis

Communication isn’t always spoken. Often, people with learning disabilities communicate through body language, behaviour, tone, gestures, or facial expressions. The support team offering person-centred care respects and understands this to give an appropriate response.

Rights, Dignity, and Inclusion Come First

The support team ensures that people with learning disabilities get the same equitable opportunities as others for education, friendships, work, hobbies, and community life. Person-centred care considers these as basic rights and avoids decisions that restrict choice. Every interaction helps the person feel respected, which builds their confidence.

Implementing person-centred care that respects the individual while supporting them in every way they need requires a structured plan.

Best Practices for Delivering Person Centred Care

The appropriate plan for person-centred care for learning disabilities needs the following:

Build a Clear and Accessible Personal Profile

A personal profile reflects an individual’s preferences, such as:

Morning routines
Interests and hobbies
Triggers that cause stress
Communication methods
Sensory issues
Learning style
Family and community members offering support

Care takers use this personal profile to make every care decision, and it also helps new support workers who join the team to understand the person quickly.

Use Flexible Goal Setting

By breaking down the goals into small steps, person-centred care for learning disabilities helps people to match their pace and interests. For example, if the long-term goal is to encourage them to interact with others and join a local sport, the first step will be visiting a sports hall with a familiar support worker. Gradual progress builds confidence and reduces anxiety.

Support Choice in Daily Life

Care also focuses on improving the quality of life of the person on a day-to-day basis. Encouraging people to make their own choices from what to wear, what to eat, where to sit, when to rest, etc, gives them back control of their own lives. Person-centred care helps individuals to gain this freedom through the methods they can use.

Improve Overall Communication

The support team helps individuals to communicate better based on their own choice of communication tools, like symbol boards, tablets with speech apps, objects of reference, photo schedules, etc. This allows the individual to express themselves without pressure.

Work with Families to Create Steady Routines

Predictable routines are crucial for people with learning disabilities to avoid distress and confusion. Person-centred care works with family members to create stable routines with gentle flexibility. Collaboration with family members and loved ones who take care of people with disabilities helps provide consistent support. Also, it helps the families to adapt their communication to respect the person’s choices.

These best practices aren’t a one-time plan. Person-centred care for people with learning disabilities must change with age, health, environment, and confidence levels. Reviewing and adapting the plan to changing needs provides a clear impact on people who need support.

Benefits and Outcomes

When the support offered matches the learning pace and style, people with learning disabilities gain skills that last for their lives. Some of the positive outcomes can be:

Stronger communication skills
Reduced anxiety
Better emotional regulation
Deeper social connections
Improved self-worth
Increased independence for daily tasks
Safer and confident decision-making

Conclusion

Person-centred care for learning disabilities provides support that fits the person. It results in a quiet but profound shift, giving the person a sense of being valued. It respects each individual’s choices and builds routines around them. It can boost confidence, independence, and long-term growth.

For anyone seeking local guidance, you can explore Learning Disability Services in Wolverhampton for tailored support for an individual and their family.

NHS trusts manage diverse types of hospitals, clinics, and specialist services in England. The increasing patient demand, tighter resources, and increasing cost of healthcare make it harder for the NHS to keep services accessible to patients.

Therefore, NHS trusts look for solutions to organise work, execute day-to-day solutions, and take care of patients without any compromise.

For this purpose, two approaches are commonly used — insourcing and outsourcing. Both extend capacity, but they work in different ways, impacting hospitals and patients differently. In this blog, we have explained insourcing vs outsourcing in the NHS, their meanings, differences, and the insourcing advantage.

What is insourcing in the NHS?

Insourcing in the NHS is a service arrangement where an external clinical provider delivers necessary clinical services inside the premises of an NHS trust.

Depending on the needs, the provider uses theatres, clinics, or diagnostic centres of the trust and provides patient services using a whole team of doctors, nurses, anesthesiologists, and others.

NHS retains full control of governance, patient records, and pathways. The provider brings their own staff and works in sessions, while the activity remains within the NHS systems.

Patients don’t go anywhere, and often, patients won’t even know that they are getting services from insourced staff.

More commonly, trusts use an insourcing model for fulfilling services like endoscopy, outpatient work, elective procedures, and diagnostics when they need extra capacity on the NHS grounds.

What is outsourcing in the NHS?

When the NHS contracts external providers to deliver healthcare services on behalf of the NHS, but outside of the NHS services, it’s called outsourcing. The third-party provider is responsible, under contract, for staffing, equipment, and service delivery.

In outsourcing, the NHS monitors standards, but patient pathways are self-managed by external providers. While external providers are still expected to follow NHS guidelines, the control is minimal.

Often, patients have to be moved to these external facilities for diagnostics, outpatient clinics, elective surgery, or even routine care when an outsourcing model is used to extend capacity or access specialist facilities.

Now that we have defined insourcing and outsourcing, we will show you the differences between the two in the next section.

Insourcing Vs Outsourcing NHS: Key Differences

Here are the key differences between insourcing and outsourcing in the NHS:

Type of Care	Level of Independence	Type of Support Provided	Living Arrangement	Best Suited For
Assisted Living	Moderate to High	Help with daily tasks such as cleaning, meals, and medication reminders	Private flats or apartments with shared communal areas	Older adults who want independence with light support
Residential Care Home	Low to Moderate	24-hour personal care, meals, and supervision	Private or shared rooms in a managed facility	Seniors needing regular personal care but not medical treatment
Nursing Home	Low	24-hour nursing and medical support	Managed facility with healthcare staff	People with complex medical needs or ongoing conditions
Home Care (Domiciliary Care)	High	Carers visit at home to help with personal tasks	Individual’s own home	Those who wish to stay at home with flexible support hours
Retirement Housing (Sheltered Housing)	Very High	Minimal or no personal care; emergency call systems available	Self-contained flats or bungalows	Independent seniors who need a secure and social environment
Insourcing – Location	On-site	Work takes place inside NHS premises	NHS facilities	Trusts wanting care delivered internally
Outsourcing – Location	External	Work shifts to an external provider’s site	Provider’s facilities	Trusts lacking space or resources
Insourcing – Control	High	NHS oversees pathways, records, and governance on-site	NHS-managed environment	Organisations needing full operational control
Outsourcing – Infrastructure	Provider-dependent	Uses the provider’s own space, staff, and equipment	External infrastructure	When specialist facilities are required
Practical Use (Comparison)	Varies	Insourcing: when space exists. Outsourcing: when rooms or specialists are lacking	Mixed	Decision-making for NHS operational planning

While both extend capacity and provide clinical support teams, NHS trusts choose insourcing more often for the reasons given below.

Why NHS Trusts Are Choosing Insourcing in 2025

Some of the reasons why NHS trusts prefer insourcing are:

Long waiting lists and capacity pressure: Many trusts are under intense pressure from growing patient wait lists and unmet demand for diagnostics or elective care. With insourcing, they can use spare theatre and clinic capacity during evenings or weekends to service more patients on-site.
Better resource utilisation: Underused resources like theatres, diagnostic suites, or clinics can be used by external teams to make better use of the trust’s infrastructure to provide core patient services.
Oversight and continuity of service: Services remain on trust premises, under the purview of the NHS body, so that control over pathways, governance, and records continues to adhere to NHS England’s guidance.
Cost-effective: Compared to agency staffing and external providers, commissioning services allows trusts to save money while using their own unused estate and extend services beyond regular hours.

The staffing partners support NHS trusts with insourcing services with highly trained medical staff for a wide variety of medical and clinical services.

How Staffing Partners Support NHS Insourcing Services

By providing vetted and skilled external healthcare professionals during evenings, weekends, or out-of-office hours, staffing partners support NHS insourcing services in the following ways:

Improve planning and engagement

Patients can get continuity of care with planned in-source staffing. Communication between departments continues to remain seamless. NHS trusts can scale rapidly in a short time with an insourced workforce.

Reduce backlog

By instantly expanding the medical team availability, staffing partners help trusts tackle their long waiting lists and backlog to achieve important targets like Referral to Treatment (RTT) benchmarks.

Provide specialised staff

Highly skilled and pre-vetted medical staff in a wide range of specialities can be placed in NHS trusts needing insourcing services. They can work in diagnostics, allied health professions (AHPs), and elective surgeries.

Optimise usage of existing facilities

The insourcing staffing partners make full use of the existing NHS infrastructure during underutilised times. It maximises the asset efficiency of NHS trusts without additional facilities or handling the logistics of moving patients.

Support operational control

NHS trusts retain the full operational command and oversight of clinical governance and patient safety when they use the services of insourced staffing partners.

Save money long-term

Consistently using insourcing staffing services provides NHS trusts with a more planned and sustained workforce solution. This avoids the need to hire expensive last-minute agency staff or use full outsourcing.

Stay compliant

Many staffing partners work through approved NHS frameworks, like the NHS Workforce Alliance or HealthTrust Europe (HTE). This ensures compliance with national standards and price caps.

While insourcing is a natural and affordable choice, outsourcing still has value when NHS trusts suddenly need external support.

When Outsourcing Still Has a Role

Even though outsourcing healthcare to third parties comes with risks for NHS trusts, it’s still needed in the following conditions:

Insufficient in-house capacity during major theatre bottlenecks
Sudden need for specialised infrastructure, which otherwise can be expensive for NHS trusts
Unexpected demand spikes, like seasonal demand or pandemic backlog, where insourcing staff may not be sufficient
Need for temporary third-party support until long-term plans are developed

Outsourcing carries high risk, and complex clinical care can become problematic, with less NHS control. That’s why insourcing is automatically preferred, while outsourcing is only used when in-house options are constrained.

NHS Insourcing Services by Secure Healthcare Solutions

NHS trusts looking for ways to unlock extra capacity can make use of NHS Insourcing Services in Wolverhampton, offered by Secure HealthCare Solutions.

Our framework-compliant service model provides full-fledged clinical teams with pre-vetted staff. We deliver care within the premises of the NHS trust using existing equipment and estate. So, this can be an ideal solution to manage an increase in demand while ensuring compliant patient care.

General Practitioner in the UK is a challenging career, but it can be extremely rewarding. Both local and international medical graduates (IMGs) can become GPs in the UK. However, their pathways are different.

The medical school training for local graduates in the UK typically lasts between 4 to 7 years. IMGs who worked as GPs in another country can’t simply start working as GPs in the UK, but with GP training, they can do so.

This blog gives you clarity on how to become a GP in the UK for local and IMG candidates.

Who Is a General Practitioner (GP)?

A General Practitioner, or GP, is a doctor in England who provides day-to-day medical assistance to people of all ages. Generally, a person would report their illness to the GP first.

GPs in the UK take care of physical issues as well as the emotional well-being of their patients. A continuing care provider also takes care of patients with chronic diseases and refers patients to a specialist based on their needs.

If you are interested in becoming a GP in the UK, you must know what qualifications you need to be a GP.

Key Skills and Qualities of a GP

Some of the core skills expected from a GP are:

Clinical knowledge: The GP must know all about acute and long-term medical illnesses.
Communication: For a GP, communication is more than just talking. Actively listening to patients, asking the right questions, and explaining medical terms in simple words are some of the much-needed communication skills.
Empathy: A GP is expected to understand the patient’s world: their worries, context, and lifestyle. According to the RCGP curriculum, general practitioners provide ‘whole person medical care’.
Problem-solving: GPs deal with different types of patients. Their symptoms will sometimes be unclear or overlapping. GPs must know how to work around to make the right diagnosis and offer the right treatment with limited information.
Adaptability: The healthcare environment also changes fast, so being flexible helps.
Professionalism: Mistakes as a GP can have severe consequences, affecting not only the doctor but also patients and their families. You must follow the guidelines and act professionally at all times.
Teamwork: GPs don’t work in isolation. You will work with nurses, specialists, allied health professionals, and even social care. Communication across teams is key.

For skilled professionals who are interested in saving lives and working with people, the following section shows a clear pathway for becoming a GP in the UK.

GP Training UK Pathway: Step-by-Step Process

Here are the steps involved to become a GP in the UK. It can take up to 7 to 10 years to become a GP, but perseverance pays off in the future.

Step 1: Complete a Medical Degree

Getting an accredited medical degree is the first step. Typically, completing a medical degree itself takes 5-6 years in the UK, where you will study core sciences and clinical placements. After getting your medical degree, you may apply for provisional registration with the General Medical Council (GMC).

Step 2: Finish the Foundation Programme (FY1 & FY2)

As a part of medical training to become a GP, you must spend 2 years working in hospitals and community rotations (Foundation Year 1 & 2). This builds broad clinical experience. Only after completing this can you apply for GP speciality training.

Step 3: Apply for GP Speciality Training (GPST)

The GPST can take up to 3 years. During this training, you will learn about hospital and GP practice placements, log your learning in a portfolio, and follow the curriculum set by the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP).

Step 4: Earn the MRCGP Qualification and GMC License

As a part of the training, you must pass the exams under the RCGP’s system. This is the MRCGP. Once you complete the training programs and pass the required assessments, you can apply for inclusion in the GP register with the GMC. GMC then completes its assessment and gives you a full license to practice as a GP in the NHS.

These steps are for a UK resident to become a GP. In the next section, let’s see how someone who completed their medical degree or worked as a GP in a foreign country can become a GP.

Pathway for International Medical Graduates (IMGs)

Non-UK medical graduates called IMGs can also become a GP, subject to the following requirements:

Get registered and licensed with the GMC

Registration with the GMC is the first requirement. You must hold a primary medical qualification recognised by the GMC. Foreign nationals also need to demonstrate English ability through IELTS/OET.

Demonstrate foundational experience

Before entering the GP training, you must show that you have appropriate experience and skills. For non-UK doctors, this may be evidence of a foundation-level competency or completion of a UK foundation equivalent. If you are an IMG, you may need a Certificate of Readiness to Enter Speciality Training (CREST) if you want to enter GP training.

Apply for GPST

Once you have shown proof that you have the basic medical knowledge and experience, you can apply for a 3-year GP training program. The selection process involves the determination of eligibility and the Multi-Speciality Recruitment Assessment (MSRA).

Apply to the RCGT for the GPST program

With successful training and based on the RCGT assessment, you become eligible for GP registration by the GMC.

For IMGs and experienced overseas GPs, alternate routes through the International Induction Programme (IIP) are available. These allow you to become a GP in the UK with the NHS without taking the full GPST program.

Challenges and Benefits of Being a GP in the UK

Before taking up the challenge of how to become a GP in the UK, consider the following challenges and benefits:

Challenges:

Relentless pace of work
Heavy workload due to additional administrative tasks
Budgets don’t always match the demand
Workforce shortages add to pressure
Practices may struggle with staffing, infrastructure, and support due to low funding

Some of the benefits of being a GP are:

A rewarding career where you help people from all walks of life with their health
Building relationships to become a trusted medical professional
More control of working hours compared to hospital doctors
Employment rights and benefits for UK GPs are strong
Opportunity to work in multiple settings, from urban to rural, to make a difference in your community

Final Thoughts

Becoming a GP in the UK requires commitment, consistent concentration, and a real passion for helping people throughout each phase of life.

From medical school to a full GMC license, each step in becoming a GP will build your confidence to undertake the work that has real meaning. This pathway also allows IMGs to have successful careers in the UK as GPs.

While the pathway is complex, it has its rewards as you play a central role in local healthcare. If you are ready, you can apply for the GP Locums Jobs in Wolverhampton to begin your career as a GP.