Tirytory

My husband has the opportunity to move from fee for service to a Family Health Team which includes hospital privileges- he's been out of hospital for 12+ years and is worried about taking it on... There is a large group of doctors to rotate on call with but we're still worried about making the wrong decision..

snoopdawg

I sympathise! Stinky says I should be more positive but I'm just trying to be honest.
He liked it more than me but he's from a surgical background so maybe leans that way. I was torn between psychiatry and GP when training until I realized that most of the psychiatrists were crazier than the patients!! The patients I loved. But it means I lean less towards "exciting" stuff so I found it harder.
TBH most GPs here still do the hospital. Many love it and don't understand those who don't. They see it as giving "full service" care although I think a few are of the "my patient- I know best" mentality. I personally think a second opinion is never a bad thing.
Maybe your husband should ask to shadow another GP on a weekend so he can see what's involved. I would think most would say yes. He can then make a more informed decision. He'll also realize that he knows much more than he thinks. A GP really does have to know a lot about everything despite the claims of the Daily Fail. I'm assumed to know as much as all specialists, plus nurses, dentists, optometrists, audiologists, physios, OTs and even a vet! Oh and know of all obscure OTC herbal/homeopathic products, watch all news items and read all newspapers/magazines. And of course I do

Richb1970

Could anyone enlighten me regarding education - if I ever get through the paperwork nightmare I have started and get to Canada!!

At present my 16yr old son and 14yr old stepson are coming along - so my son will probably be looking at University and my stepson will be 15-16. We were thinking he should do his GCSE then head out but from my reading Canadian kids stay in high school till 17 then leave with a diploma is that correct?

Just looking for advice on when to bring out a child around GCSE age and also about University places as I presume they recognise 'A' levels there??

Many thanks for all the superb advice on here!

snoopdawg

I'm no expert but I have 2 boys.
The youngest moved at age 9. He is very bright and doing well at school but has had longer to adjust.
Our eldest was 15. He started school here at the start of grade 10. He is also very bright but lazier. He initially did well but became lazy as he found it all too easy. Still he graduated high school with good grades and is at university. But I think he found it much harder than his brother.
The important years here are grades 10 to 12. They graduate in their 18th year.
Grades are done by age. So grade 12s will be 18 sometime in the year Jan- dec that they graduate.
To graduate they accumulate credits from grade 10 onwards. Some are mandatory, eg English ,maths. Some are electives eg band. They also have to do some planning, and voluntary work.
Electives can be more trade orientated eg wood work if needed.
Some courses can be done on line as well
There are also AP courses which will give credits in first year university.
University is also different here, much more general to start with.
I think it would be hard to start at grade 11 but not impossible for bright child. He'll be ahead in some things but just getting used to the different way a Canadian high school operates will be difficult. I'm not a teacher though to say what credits would be given for GCSEs.
I assume A levels accepted at uni, somewhere in my brain, I have thoughts that it may give you first year credits but I would assume only if appropriate.
BUT be aware you need PR to pay domestic uni fees
Planning 2 kids at uni would make me incorporate and get a family trust ASAP on arrival😉

christmasoompa

I'd suggest you start a new thread on this subject, rather than tagging it on to a thread about doctors, where fewer will see it. Unless a question is related to the original thread subject, it's always best to start a new thread (have another read of the 'Newbies' guide to the forum sticky thread if in doubt).

If you start a new thread with a relevant thread title, then you'll no doubt get loads of good advice.

Thx.

Applebee

Hello, I'm a Canadian GP looking to move to London UK as my partner is from there. I'm starting to look at the process of licensing and types of work in London. I'm hoping you can give me some information. It seems you can practice without a GP registration...which is a bit different. I assume that was equivalent to a CCFP. The process also seems very very long.

What is the benefit of having a GP registration? Or must every GP at some point apply?
What certifications/licenses do you need to practice?
Are locum positions abundant as in Canada?
In comparison to Canada...what is the average pay of a GP?
Finally, can physicians incorporate?

Thanks so much for your answers!

Richb1970

Hi

As far as I am aware to work as a GP you have to have a licence to practice and be on the GP register with the GMC. In addition you have to be on a local performers list however unlike the regional lists in Canada this allows you to work anywhere in England.

GP in the UK is in a pretty awful state and the traditional business model where as a partner you run your own business is struggling as it is impossible to get new doctors so locum work us abundant!!

I work in the north at present and the rate I can charge varies between 500 and 600 pound per day so is less well paid and also indemnity is an issue as is now around 12 thousand pound a year for a full time GP it is also going up massively year on year

As a salaried GP you could be employed by a practice and they would pay your indemnity cost salaries as quoted are generally up to 80 thousand pound per year so less than Canada I think

If you undertake private work you can incorporate that but you are not allowed to do this for NHS income if you are salaried. It has previously been possible to incorporate locum income but this has been looked at by HMRC and changes in dividend taxation have made it less attractive. An accountant will be able to advise better

dorabug

Hi folks, for those of you who have done the move, what was the first year like financially? We have a handle of the cost of moving (yikes!) but what about 'start up' costs and/or the time it took to build up your client base to bill at a full time and sustainable rate? Trying to get a grip on the amount of cash we need for the move.

GoWest how are you doing with your preparation, it must be days away now for your move?

Stinkypup

Sorry Dorabug- are in the UK tormenting the rellies and stuffing our faces with Greggs pasties, M&S food and drinking proper beer. Setting up costs really depends on the situation, in our case, there were three docs that we were joining, having merged the single handed retiring docs office next door into the other one. This cost a lot and we had to deal with it in the UK. Looking back I think that we were screwed to some degree financially by the others - they kept on saying they needed more and more money. Everything was set up then and then it was just paying professional fees, EMR fees , obviously all ongoing and Bob's your uncle.

Re building up, you could start from scratch like we did- rapidly building up. Alternatively you could acquire an existing list- this is a lot less hard work. You would start slowly whilst finding your feet patients per day wise then up to speed fairly quickly. Select patients carefully- Snoop got lumbered with younger female population/ middle aged moaning women who are definitely not very profitable. I have a much more balanced list. You can filter out the troublemakers, drug seekers etc and decline taking them on ( unlike in the UK)

Tricky to say how much you will need, we rented for 6 months and bought and renovated the house- this cost a lot (the renos that is).
The move was by no means cheap, emigration never is but well well worth it.
Snoop will no doubt follow up if she has further thoughts but enough to be getting on with

dorabug

Thanks Stinky, sorry to disturb your holiday!

snoopdawg

It definitely depends on circumstances.
If you bought/ rent cheap and took on a retiring / moving docs list, you would be fine fairly quickly.
If you built up your list from scratch and buy a house that needs lots of work, then assume 1-2 years to feel comfortable!!
As Stinky says, initially it felt like we were constantly being asked for money from all directions but giving amounts is impossible really.
I used to say it cost us a fortune to move but now 7 years on, we are in a position that we could have only dreamed of in the UK.

dorabug

That is really helpful, thank you, that gives us a bit of steer. There seems to be a few current options in Vernon that are retiring doctors. The cost there would be buying out the outgoing doctor I guess?

BC Health Match really seem to sell that the work life balance is way better in BC than the UK, is that a marketing ploy or have you found that to be the case? I am guessing that as it is your business you can work as much or as little as you want and structure you day accordingly.

Stinkypup

I would be careful- there are always opportunities in most communities, Vernon included. Everyone will be different with regard to the "transfer/buy out" costs. There are some great possibilities and some dreadful ones- you probably could do with some local knowledge if Vernon might be a possibility. Let us know if you need help. In answer to your question about work balance, absolutely true, no question.

dorabug

Thanks Stinky, we are pretty much settled on Vernon now through process of elimination (I am Canadian and know the areas reasonably well) and if you truly don't mind commenting on local opportunities that when OH gets to that stage that would be fantastic. He is at the pre-screening stage and meeting Health Match in Manchester tomorrow so some time before the active job hunt. We are coming to Vernon for 10 days in Feb to ski and hopefully for job hunting for us both.

OH is still very sceptical about work life balance claims so here is hoping he really is pleasantly surprised!

snoopdawg

Let us know when you are around, would love to meet up and dole out the gossip!!! I would say sign nothing locally without talking to us.
We know most of the accommodation up the hill so again, let me know if you want advice.
There is no comparison from a work / life balance POV
We work hard during the day, some evening / weekend catch up but definitely better.
Attitude of patients help. Our patients know how important our holidays are too us, they keep me sane!! The overwhelming support and best wishes are quite humbling, hopefully they know I'll try to do my very best for them when we get back.
The one old trout who moaned and complained- she does every visit about something- is from the South East of the U.K. , I think I only keep her on to remind me of why I left the UK😁