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I am interested in hearing from Australian podiatrists of their experiences living and working in the UK. I am looking at taking my familly over next year and would be grateful for any advice.

Hi there,
I had a couple of years working in the UK, as a locum for an agency, and it was a great experience.

For me the best part was the flexibility and opportunities for further travelling, both within the UK and abroad. Typically I would do a 3-6 month stint then head over to 'the continent', come back to the UK and try another place.

The best part about working for an agency was great pay with minimal comittment and I'd definately do agency work again.

Was there anything specific you'd like to know?

Do you understand the work visa / work permit situation?

Josh

Hi Josh

Could you post the agency you used and expected hourly rates and benfits that you received with these contracts whilst based in the UK.

Cheers

Hi Peroneal,
I worked for two agencies; Holt Medical and Pinnacle Healthcare. I believe now that they are owned by the same people.

At the time (2001-2003) the hourly rate was approx 20 quid from Holt and 18 from Pinnacle.

Other benefits included subsidised accomodation and car hire. Holt had a big Christmas party that was fun and also a (paid) weekend to Amsterdam. Both pay you 'referral bonuses' for recommending others to work for them. They should be able to assist you with opening a bank account and all sorts of other bits and pieces. I think Holt even has an appartment you can stay at when you first arrive in London.

I'm not sure if things have changed much or not.

The agencies want you to work for them so will usually bend over backwards to help you.

There are a few horror stories...A mate of mine was awaiting his registration and was told by his agency not to worry about it, but to turn up on Monday and start work anyway!

I've also heard a lot of people getting great service from the Australian branch of an agency only to find when they arrive in the UK the service is poor.

Hope this helps,
Josh

Hi there,
I am an Australian currently working in the UK, London and things have changed a lot in the last few months. Locum work is not as easily available due to the massive budget cuts in the NHS. Subsequently, pay rates and flexibility aren't as good as previously. All agencies are overseen by Reed Health now and other agencies have merged. Subsequently, a lot of people are moving into the private sector so I guess that may affect private work too. I am currently finding that contracting in private clinics is the most secure and profitable work allowing travel and time off (without getting paid, obviously). There are permanent jobs available in the NHS still. More than happy to answer specific questions if you have them. Cheers, Kath

Kath,

I am a podiatrist from Aus looking to head to the Ireland in March next year and then on to the UK. You mentioned you are currently finding contracting work in private clinics. This is something that I am interested in pursuing once I am in the UK and was wondering if you could suggest the best way in which to find this type of work. After speaking to a recruitment agency I have established that to work in Ireland this is my only option as they currently have no true public health system in place.

Any advice you can give me would be much appreciated as currently it is all a bit confusing.

Also could you please advise me on the necessary registrations and memberships. I am aware the I need to register with the HPC but other than that am I required to be a member of any societies?

Hello Digit

I'm a Pom but can help with the issue of 'joining'. As you say, the main thing is to be registered with the HPC. Their web site will be helpful. You don't have to join any grouping but you will need insurance, and probably the easiest way is to join a professional body. Try the Institute of Chiropodists and Podiatrists; I think that they will cover you in the Republic of Ireland as well as the U.K., again their web site is helpful.

I've a friend from Aus staying at the moment and he actually likes the 'warm' beer, having got used to it. But then, he is a man of taste and refinement!

Enjoy

Bill

Hi Digit,
Yes, join the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists - in the UK, they also sort out your indeminity insurance too. They have a regular newsletter listing jobs and useful agencies. My experience has been that private work has been found through word of mouth, sending my CV out, applying to advertisements and public work through agencies but it may be different in Ireland.
http://www.feetforlife.org/
Kath