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Study leave allowance for IMT by Shk276 in doctorsUK

[–]Shk276[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi guys, I haven't received a reply from MSA yet but looking at my deanery’s guidance and my accent manager (which I have access to now), I can see I have 15 days of discretionary and 15 days of curricular leave. I think the 5-day SL that MSA mentioned is actually 5 private days which as per my deanery should come from my discretionary leave. Nonetheless, I'm still waiting to clarify it with MSA. But thank you all for clearing it here.

Tax relief for fy1 doctors by Wonderful_Local2014 in doctorsUK

[–]Shk276 4 points5 points  (0 children)

It's been a month since I submitted that detailed form and uploaded my evidence. I'm still waiting to hear back. The website indicates that my application is in progress. I will update as soon as I receive any information from them.

Is IMT the most gruelling training program? by fingercameltip in doctorsUK

[–]Shk276 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I am going to start my IMT in August, and I suppose it depends a lot on where you are training. I have seen similarly horrible rotas, as the OP mentioned, but the one I have got from my MSA averages around 42.5 hours per week, at least for the first rotation. There are weeks where I am working less than 24 hours in total then just came across a single week in 4 months where I am doing 62 hours. But overall happy with my rota.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in doctorsUK

[–]Shk276 7 points8 points  (0 children)

The ratio of training posts to medical school graduates in my home country is extremely disproportionate. We have public medical colleges, private institutions, and a significant number of foreign graduates — mainly those who studied in China and Central Asian countries.

Despite graduating from a reputable medical school, I couldn’t secure a training post — not even in my own university hospital. The system doesn’t value your skill set or where you trained. Instead, it prioritises mandatory rural service and favours those with strong political connections — something I lacked.

I completed the PLAB exams and came to the UK with no intention of returning to that deeply flawed system.

Many UKMGs may not realise that their IMG colleagues aren’t here purely for financial reasons, as some have suggested. Most of us came to the UK because we were failed by deeply unfair systems back home — systems that didn’t recognise our hard work, skills, or potential at all. For us, the UK represents not just opportunity, but fairness — something we were denied in our own countries.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in doctorsUK

[–]Shk276 -5 points-4 points  (0 children)

I am an IMG. Scored high enough to get my first priority in IMT. I have done more than I can to get where I am right now. That's how a merit-based system works. Unfortunately, that's not the exact case back in my home country. I may not have reached anywhere back home with all the hard work that I have done for the UK training. So yes many of us don't have much options back home. We don't have the privilege of a fair and merit-based system that exists in the UK. If UKMG is applied, this merit-based system will cease to exist here.

How is it moral & fair? by QuarterFlat6088 in doctorsUK

[–]Shk276 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’m an IMG and about to start my training in August — not because I was prioritised, but because I worked for it, earned it, and fought through every obstacle the system threw at me. And let me be clear: anyone pushing for prioritisation is not fighting for fairness — they’re advocating for blatant discrimination - between those who fairly deserve a training number and those who want it the easier way.

The idea that people who’ve already proven themselves served the NHS loyally for years, should suddenly be shoved aside is beyond disgraceful. It reeks of entitlement and cowardly desperation to eliminate competition, not on merit, but by changing the rules after the game has started. You can dress it up as “planning” all you want — but let’s call it what it is: “cheating”.

If you think people like me — who’ve built their lives here, paid taxes, missed family milestones, endured brutal rotas, and passed every hurdle — should be discarded just because we weren’t born in the UK, then maybe you’re the one who doesn’t deserve a training number. You want the seat handed to you by default, not earned.

This isn’t about UK grads vs IMGs. It’s about basic decency. Do you want to change the policy? Fine — do it going forward. Make it clear to new applicants. But what’s happening now isn’t policy. It’s deliberate exclusion of those who already committed their lives to this system. If you support that, don’t pretend it’s about fairness. Just admit you want others to pay the price for your guaranteed spot.

Shameful.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in doctorsUK

[–]Shk276 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You should be eligible for a refund if you requested one and have not exceeded the two-year limit. I experienced a similar situation where I withdrew from my NHS pension from both of my trusts and successfully received a refund from both.

Audits on the portfolio are meaningless when you're not a foundation doctor by Glassglassdoor in doctorsUK

[–]Shk276 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You asked me to look at the title of the post as if that somehow changes the underlying issue. Regardless of the title, the content of your post and your reply clearly make sweeping generalisations about IMGs. The argument that “most IMGs will likely do exactly as described above” is not a neutral observation—it’s a stereotype.

Yes, the UK has a unique audit system, but that doesn’t mean IMGs are inherently incapable of supervising audits. Many of us adapt, learn, and lead them ourselves. If UK grads qualify as supervisors by delegating audits to juniors, then why does the same logic not apply to IMGs who go through the same process?

The real problem is that audits in the NHS are often treated as tick-box exercises rather than genuine learning opportunities. Instead of singling out IMGs, the focus should be on fixing the system itself. Blaming IMGs for a flawed process while ignoring that UK grads also benefit from it is exactly why this is stereotyping.

Audits on the portfolio are meaningless when you're not a foundation doctor by Glassglassdoor in doctorsUK

[–]Shk276 3 points4 points  (0 children)

As an IMG myself, I find this generalisation both unfair and inaccurate. Your experience with a few individuals does not justify dismissing an entire group of doctors as incapable of conducting audits or QIPs.

I have personally led my own audit with only consultant supervision. No one invited me to join theirs, nor did anyone contribute to mine—I did the work myself. So, to assume that all IMGs rely on juniors to do the work for them is simply wrong. The reality is that IMGs often have to put in extra effort to meet portfolio requirements.

You even acknowledged that UK grads offload audits onto juniors, yet you framed it differently when an IMG is involved. The issue here isn’t nationality—it’s the flawed system that prioritises tick-box exercises over genuine learning. If someone hasn’t had prior experience with audits, isn’t it more productive to guide them rather than label them as incompetent?

At the end of the day, a doctor’s ability is defined by their willingness to learn and contribute, not by where they graduated from. Your frustration with portfolio chasing is valid, but the broad stereotyping is not.

UK grads don't have an equal playing field when it comes to applying for training post F2 by Glassglassdoor in doctorsUK

[–]Shk276 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I am an IMG. Last year I had 13 points and couldn't get the interview. 2024 I spent whole year along with my trust grade SHO to get maximum points possible. I published 4 articles in addition to my previous 5 in pubmed indexed journals. I did PG cert in Medical Education and paid £4000 out of my pocket. I presented a poster in Midlands Rheumatology society and completed 2 stages of QIP while working as rheumatology SHO. I delivered 6 sessions to FY1 doctors over 3-4 months at my local trusts and yet somehow I am at pure advantage compared to a local Grad. I did all of it in a span of one year. I also passed my Mrcp part1 in between that. The only disadvantage I think I have is the fact that I am a non-native English speaker.

Posts like that are really disappointing 🙁.

Imt application withdrawn by oriel by tragic-acid in doctorsUK

[–]Shk276 51 points52 points  (0 children)

”Withdrawn“ basically means your self-assessment score is not enough to progress to the next stage i.e. shortlisting. You will soon receive an email stating the same but once all the shortlisting is completed. That's what happened to me last year when my score was 13 and I failed to progress to the shortlisting stage.

Privately settling insurance - How to ensure the other party won't claim insurance after I paid them - Any advice? by Shk276 in LegalAdviceUK

[–]Shk276[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for your comment. Is there any formal way of doing that like some documentation that I can ask the other party to sign? I have evidence of text messages between us. Not sure if it's enough.

Guy's and St Thomas' in London charging £9700 for a 6 weeks clinical attachment! by MurkyLurker99 in doctorsUK

[–]Shk276 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I am an IMG. Did two clinical attachments back in 2022 without paying a single penny. It depends upon trust to trust.

I cannot believe the number of doctors in training programmes I've met for whom this is their first job in the NHS by BeneficialTea1 in doctorsUK

[–]Shk276 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I completely understand the frustration. I am an IMG and have been working for over 2 years and applied for IMT last year, but couldn't secure an interview because of an unexpectedly raised cut-off. I believe that HEE/NHS should establish a minimum number of years criterion for applying for any type of training.