Why us?
We welcome applications from international recruits to our Trust. At UHBW, we value the diverse perspectives and experiences that international professionals bring to our team. We are committed to providing a supportive and inclusive environment to help you transition smoothly into your role and thrive in your career. Join us and become part of a dedicated team working to provide exceptional care and service to our community.
Our hospitals are spread across Bristol and Weston, join us and you can enjoy the very best of both worlds; city living within a stone’s throw of the countryside or beside the seaside, both with easy access to all that the South West has to offer. Our sites are as follows:
- Bristol Eye Hospital
- Bristol Haematology and Oncology Centres
- Bristol Health Institute
- Bristol Royal Hospital for Children
- Bristol Royal Infirmary
- South Bristol Community Hospital
- St Michael’s Hospital
- Bristol Dental Hospital
- Central Health Clinic
- Weston General Hospital
We are the major teaching and research centre for the South West of England. This is reflected in our mission to improve the health of the people we service by delivering exceptional care, teaching and research every day.
We are passionate about our values and expected behaviours. If you share them and want to be part of delivering an excellent service, then University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust could be the place for you.
The Trust demonstrates its commitment to workplace wellbeing through the provision of a range of resources to support physical and psychological wellbeing and healthy lifestyles. All colleagues have access to services which include: Wellbeing Workshops, Occupational Health service, counselling, physiotherapy support, and a chaplaincy team who provide pastoral and spiritual support. In addition, we are privileged to have 170+ colleagues within the Trust who act as a voluntary Wellbeing Advocate – helping to communicate what’s available and enhance accessibility.
Overseas Doctor – Professional Registration
To legally practice medicine in the UK, all doctors must hold registration with a license issued by the General Medical Council (GMC). This requirement applies to doctors at all levels of registration, including provisional, full, specialist, and general practitioner (GP) registers. Whether a doctor is working in the NHS or the independent sector, and regardless of whether they are employed full-time, part-time, permanently, or as a locum, GMC registration with a license to practice is mandatory.
The GMC is an independent organization responsible for setting standards for medical students and doctors in the UK. It ensures that all practicing doctors meet the required professional and ethical standards. To practice in the UK, obtaining GMC registration is essential. For those who trained outside the UK, this process can take up to three months, so it is advisable to start the application well in advance of your planned entry into the country.
In addition to registration, the GMC may require international medical graduates to demonstrate English language competency, which is a critical aspect of the registration process. This may involve undertaking specific assessments to meet the GMC’s requirements.
The GMC website provides a wealth of online resources and videos that offer guidance on what to expect when working in the UK. These resources can be particularly helpful for international doctors navigating the registration process. For detailed information on how to apply for GMC registration and ensure you meet all the necessary criteria, it is recommended to visit the GMC website and begin the application process as early as possible.
See the GMC website following for more information.
There are several routes to obtain GMC registration, but not all may be available through the department you’re applying to. Ensure you clarify this with the Recruiting Manager during your interview or when you receive an offer.:
The Medical Training Initiative (MTI) Scheme
The Medical Training Initiative (MTI) is a UK scheme that allows a fixed number of international medical graduate’s work and train within the NHS for a maximum of 24 months.
The primary purpose of the MTI scheme is to contribute to improving the quality of healthcare in developing countries. Therefore, allocation of MTI placements is given in a priority order. More information on this can be found in the prospective applicant’s section.
The scheme aims to share knowledge, experience, and best practice which benefits:
- The international doctor, who gets training and development from the NHS
- Their home country, to which they return with knowledge, skills and experience
- And the NHS, which has spare training capacity filled by suitable graduate doctors.
You can find more information about this scheme here.
GMC Sponsorship Scheme
This scheme is designed to support overseas-qualified clinicians in obtaining GMC registration. We thoroughly verify each doctor’s identity, qualifications, and references before providing sponsorship for registration.
To be eligible, applicants must have secured a suitable training post in the UK. The application and assessment process is rigorous and may take up to 4 months. The timescales depends on several factors, including how quickly you can submit your supporting documents and the time required for the employing hospital or Trust to submit theirs.
CESR/CEGPR
If you are already a specialist overseas, then you may be able to gain direct registration as a specialties and be recognised immediately as a UK Consultant. This involves compiling a set of documents demonstrating that you have the equivalent training and experience of a doctor who has completed specialty training (residency in the UK). This is known as the CESR route.
For further information contact the Talent Team directly at talent@uhbw.nhs.uk.
We have put together an interactive welcome pack which covers a wide range of topics ranging from accommodation, schools and much more.
Nursing at UHBW
At UHBW we understand that Nursing isn’t just a job – it’s a way of life. As a Nurse, you give it your all, day after day, to provide our patients with the excellent standard of care they deserve. So, in return, we provide the support, the development opportunities and work-life balance, to help ensure you live your life as a Nurse to the full.
We welcome applications from international nurses to our Trust, recognizing the valuable skills, knowledge, and diversity they bring to our organization. We believe that international nurses enrich our team and enhance the care we provide to our patients.
UHBW is part of the “Stay & Thrive” research programme in the North East, Yorkshire, and South West regions, supporting 55 trusts and 11 systems. The programme has established a Community of Action to help international recruits integrate, succeed, and feel a strong sense of belonging. This initiative aligns with the “We are the NHS People Plan,” focusing on increasing staff, fostering inclusivity, and enabling compassionate collaboration across the NHS.
In this section, you will find essential information on how to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), which is a crucial step to practice nursing in the UK. For more detailed guidance, please refer to the NMC website below. We look forward to the unique perspectives and experiences you will contribute to our Trust.
Register as a nurse or midwife if you trained outside the UK
International applications to join the HCPC Register – guidance for online applicants
Before you apply
Before completing the application form, please ensure that you:
- are eligible to apply for registration via the international route; and
- have read the standards of proficiency for your profession and standards of conduct, performance and ethics
When completing the application, you will be asked to confirm that you have read and understood these documents.
Eligibility
To be eligible to apply for registration via the international route, you must have undergone training in one of the relevant professions outside of the United Kingdom.
Completing the HCPC application form
The international application must be completed through the HCPC online application form (with the exception of those applying through the Swiss Mutual Recognition (SMR) route or as a refugee applicant). If you are unable to complete the form online for an accessibility reason, please contact international@hcpc-uk.org to request a paper form.
Please complete all sections of the application relevant to you and please ensure that you answer all the questions as fully as possible.
Your application will be assessed against the standards of proficiency for the profession you are applying to join, so it is important that these are evidenced in the information you provide.
To start your application for HCPC registration, click here: Home · Custom Portal
For further support on the HCPC online application, click here: Creating an online application
Housing
We recommend you use Zoopla or Rightmove. as your first port of call for your onwards accommodation needs. Also, here is an helpful Guide to Renting a Home from Zoopla which outlines step by step instructions and everything you need to be aware of when renting a property in the UK.
You can find an overview of the cost of living in the UK on Numbeo.
Please see interactive Map of Bristol and Weston to help you familiarise yourselves about nearby places to visit, shop, or to rent a house. Please use this link to learn more about average rent based on city/postcode.
For confirmation of employment requests required by letting agency and landlords, please email: medicalrecruitment@uhbw.nhs.uk. The team will respond to these queries within 24-48 hours.
Estate Agents
Please see the link below for Estate agents. This link opens in a new tab giving you contact details for the Estate Agents.
Schools
In the UK, schools are categorized as either state schools, which are government-funded and free for all students, or independent schools, where parents are required to pay fees. Click here to view the list of private schools in Bristol and Weston.
Children typically attend primary and secondary schools near their homes, provided there are available places. In England, school placements are managed exclusively through the local council.
Inspections take place regularly at schools and you can view the reports on the Ofsted website to see how well they’ve done.
For more information about Education in England, please click here
Special Education
In most cases, children and young people with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND) attend an ordinary school in their neighbourhood.
You’ll need an EHC plan if you plan to enroll your child at a special school or resource center.
Childcare
There are several childcare options available including:
- Nurseries
- Childminders
- Crèches
In England, all three and four-year-old’s are entitled to 570 hours of free early education of childcare a year. Find out more about childcare in England
Support Resources
- Weston Letting Agencies
- Guide for Managers IMGs
- A Guide to Induction for IMGs
- Rental Scam
- Bristol Letting Agencies
- How to Rent PDF
- Banking in the UK (Webinar)
- Accommodation (Webinar)
- Transport (Webinar)
- Schools Childcare GP's and Dentists
- Bills and Lifestyle (Webinar)
- Welcome Pack- Overseas Nurses
- Welcome Pack- Overseas Doctors
- Welcome Pack- Allied Health Professionals
- Guide to Relocation to Bristol and Weston
- Make Bristol and Weston your Home
- Pre-Employment Check Guide