Stinkypup

I ....kind of just let it go .. Snoop did it properly, she may explain how it should be done at some stage- she is very organised, me, not so much. The only UK doc who kept his appraisals going eventually returned back to the Uk. I thought it slightly odd that he carried these appraisals going but when we heard that they were heading off back to Blighty, it made sense- I think he kept his options very much open.

Us- we committed ourselves to Canada, bridges were burned!! Obviously if we had to go back, it would be possible with God knows how much bureaucracy but I can't see that happening any time soon.

Sheg

Hello

I was born and raised in London, United Kingdom and have lived here my whole life. I currently reside in London with my wife and one year old daughter. I have a specialist interest in Dermatology.

We would like a change of environment and considered Australia but after closer investigation ruled it out. I have family members in Alberta and they have encouraged us to strongly consider a move to Canada. I am keen to establish how a transition as a GP from the UK to Canada would work.

I would be most grateful for feedback and any information that could be of use.

Many thanks,

Sheg

snoopdawg

Hi Sheg and welcome!

Have you read through this thread? There's a huge amount of information in it, some specific to Alberta. I'm in BC thankfully!!! Can't help much with Alberta but I would think their college will have more info. Start with this thread though.

Sheg

Hi Snoop,

I have perused through some pages and I must say thank you for all your input. People like you should be celebrated here as pursuit for any decent information owing varied provincial guidelines can be a challenge.

I am not restricted to Alberta, any comparatively decent place would do.

What is it like practicing in BC?
In terms of applying for registration, there are debates on agency vs directly, what is your view?

Again, many thanks for replying.

snoopdawg

What do you mean by agencies?
If government ones like Healthmatch- they are the way to go- in fact I think CPSBC encourage it- look at the link I gave earlier:

Health Match BC | Recruitment and Retention

But I don't know if other provinces have something similar.
I doubt anyone uses a commercial agency. There is no benefit as far as I can see.

Work wise- BC V UK?
Well- if I ever returned to the UK at working age- unlikely!- I would not work as a GP. I would have to find other forms of employment!

Stinkypup

Hi Sheg, welcome from me too.
As Snoop as recommended, grab a coffee or three and spend time reading the whole of this thread, it describes a lot of aspects of going through the process to several provinces and how people like/ dislike what they now do.

It has built up over time to be I feel to be a good source of info- moving continents takes a lot of money out of your pocket and a lot of time so spend some of the latter reading the thread and if there is anything after that, then fire questions and we will be very happy to help you out

Snoop, you have won the prize car for the 500th post in this thread !

Sheg

thanks to Snoop and Stinkypup

I agree. I believe there are wealth of information to help my quest. I hope you wouldn't mind if I write to you wherever clarity is needed.

Thank you!

Stinkypup

Yep- absolutely no problem

Sheg

I have spent all night navigating various websites about where to live in Canada. BC is beautifully expensive I must say. Most advertised jobs listed annual wages of $300,000 which is achievable here with dedicated Locum jobs.
My question is how does Locum GP work in Canada? what is the typical Locum rate there? what are the pros and cons of locum vs permanent positions?

Hasan78

If you come on TWP then you won't be able to do Locum work.
the Locum work is not like UK one. You will likely work under fee for service model and the split will be from anything like 80-20% split to further.

snoopdawg

Same in BC.
Locums usually are fee for service- we keep 30% for overheads. Locums are scarce so plenty of jobs but that's because its better to have your own list. Locums miss out on all the CDMs and complex care fees that we can claim for. Locums here seem to be people new to the area, before they settle down or young mums trying to balance everything.

I don't think you can locum until you have a full licence in BC.

Richb1970

Not posted for a while but start my psychiatry attachment next week. As usual when it was submitted to the college they needed to switch a few words around to keep themselves happy but hopefully once I get signed off in 4 weeks that is the last hurdle to getting a licence and can start job hunting!

We have scheduled a holiday to Okanagan July/ August time and will plan a 3 week trip with all the family to look at the area and meet up with potential employers as well as some R&R.

I was thinking I would need to apply for PR to get all my family across and still think that is the better route however a Temp Work Permit looks like it would be quicker - has anyone gone down that route rather than a direct application for PR? My son is 17 and likely to be looking at college/ uni when we get across and I reckon PR would be better as fees will be cheaper!! Any advice on work permit would be most appreciated

christmasoompa

If you do definitely qualify for PR now without a TWP/job offer (what is your score on the CRS?), then that would be better than a TWP. As well as your son qualifying for local tuition fees if he's a PR, he'd also be able to work (dependents of TWP holders can't work, which is an issue for many teenagers that like a part-time job), and it would give you all much more security.

A TWP isn't likely to be that much quicker either, at best you'll save 2-3 months, but it still takes at least 3 months usually.

And of course, from an employer's point of view you'll be much more attractive if you have PR and are work authorised, rather than them having to spend money and go through lots of paperwork to hire you.

HTH a bit at least, good luck.

Richb1970

Thanks - Im a bit old to get through without a job offer!! - did the calculator and got 376 with no LMIA which from reading is too low to get invited so will need a job sorted to start the process. The CIC website was saying 2 weeks for a TWP I did think that was too quick

christmasoompa

OK, so a LMIA/TWP is the only option anyway then? Even if you do have a LMIA/job offer, that would only give you 426, so still not enough to get selected and invited to apply for PR via EE at the moment unless the points drop. So perhaps look at the PNP program instead?

That could well be right, but you're forgetting about the LMIA, which can take 3-4 months, so you need to add that on too.

HTH.