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Seeking some preliminary information regarding moving (family included) to the Uk.
Based in Australia at present (have own practice), and would like to know the general arrangements for working as a contractor in various locations. Ie is it based on % share on pt,s seen less cost of orthotics??. Contarctors provides worker comp insurance, malpractice insurance etc.
we ideally would like to live outside of London(as our boys need some space!).
Is there plenty of work?. average pt seen per day?, various case mix ie peads/biomech/diabetic/General treatments?. I realize this will vary from clinic to clinic, however would really appreciate some of your thoughts.
Regards PMPOD.

Hi PmPod,

No simple answer to this question really. I guess if working as a contractor for another clinic there will usually be 2 main structures:

(1) You pay a room rental (hourly fee) and are then responsible for all your own materials/ordering/orthoses lab accounts etc. (But you take 100% of what you earn).

(2) You do not pay rent, and the clinic may supply the materials/lab accounts etc for you but they then take a split of your fees/earnings (anywhere between 40-60%)

I'm sure there are also subtle variations of these main structures also - whatever works best for you/the clinic. Most of the time a compromise is made.

In both of the above you usually are self employed (ie you are not an employee of the company you work within) so obviously you need to consider all the various things which come with that (you do not get any employee rights, no holiday, no sick pay, and have to do your own accounts - tax, NI etc).

You should find work relatively easily - but often (in London anyway) you may only get 1-2 days worth of work per week, so you have to usually work at 2-3 different clinics if you want to do this full time. Better to be packed full every day at 3 different clinics than be at one clinic all week and twiddling your thumbs.

As you say this is variable. Will depend on what type of clinic you go into, and of course what you decide you want to do (you are self employed after all - if you dont want to do one particular thing no-one will make you). I personally see a 100% Musculoskeletal/Biomech caseload - but that is my choice. Average patients seen per day? Depends how hard you market yourself and build relationships with other health professionals/Consultants to improve referral rates etc. You get out what you put in.

Ian.

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With most Brit pods trying to come to Aus as i have done, why do you wish to go to UK?

NHS is now hard to get a job with.

I believe locum work is drying up with the agencies.

Many pp's are in trouble or closing hence the no of pods looking for work here in aus.

So I am intrigued on your proposed relocation to UK.

We recently had a chap arrive from UK to work for us here and he said UK STUFFED.

regards David

Formerly of UK

David,

Don't forget cold and wet. Oh and dark - our clocks change in a couple of weeks so at 6am when you rise its in pitch black, and at 6pm when you leave work its pitch black.

But don't let that put you off pmpod - we sure know how to make a perfect cup of tea...

Ian

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PMPod

You must consider that life for pods is a little different in the UK from Australia, in that the majority are employed by the national Health Service. State-funded podiatry is provided in NHS institutions, rather than in private practices.

The terms under which one may be employed in a private practice vary depending on who your employer is.

It is possible to find work in the NHS, especially if you have significant experience and is flexible about where you're prepared to live (there is life outside London, despite what the capital-centrics would have you believe!). However, I'm not sure whether this would appeal to someone used to working in the private sector in Australia.

Although I'm glad to be here, I don't have only negative things to say about podiatry in the UK, and I still love the country. I didn't hate working for the NHS - there are things that annoyed me, but equally there were things about my job that brought me great satisfaction. (Like 33 days paid holiday, plus public holidays)

Whatever you decide to do, I wish you the best of luck.

Sarah

PS You can't live in the UK without a really good winter coat, you know!

Ian, David and Sarah, Thank you for your thoughts and information. Seems that as a basic assumption, most employement is throught the NHS and private practice is in the minority. PP arrangements are similar to here in Aust. We both have travelled to the UK many times and see a possability of wanting to live there. I,m heading over to London in early July 2010 , do you know of any conferences on???.... Thanks again.
Pmpod.

Hi PMPOD

Look on the SOCAP/thatfoot site websites for upcoming conferences.

I love the UK and believe taht London is the best city to liva and work in.I work in both the NHS and private and absolutely love it!!! No I dont mind the weather either.

Good luck

regards

Given the price of housing in London, pollution, crime rates etc I'm not sure why you'd focus on that city as the place to set up UK life!
There is a lot of country aside from the capital city: and as someone said, if you're prepared to go where the work is, there is employment available in the NHS. Yes, the politics and funding are a nuiscance but you do have an element of job security, a pretty good salary, pension and holidays. Plus you have a team of Pods around who you can call on for a 2nd opinion or a chat.
Good luck!

Thanks Charlie , however I did note in my original posts that we would prefer outside of London, not that we dislike London! Anyway.. Que sera sera!
Does anyone know any pods in the Kent region?
Pmpod.

Robert Isaacs

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