Working as a General Practitioner (GP) is a challenging and rewarding role that will put you at the heart of the NHS, working in a team of healthcare professionals in primary care to meet the diverse needs of our patients and communities.

We welcome applications from established family doctors and GPs from overseas and international medical graduates looking to train as a GP in England.

The main route available to you as an established family doctor or GP is the GP International Induction Programme, which provides a safe, supported and direct route for qualified GPs to join NHS general practice in England.

If you choose to join the scheme you will be able to access benefits and tailored support as you work through the programme. This includes a personal approach to meet your needs, experience and personal commitments, including financial and practical support.

Family doctors who were trained outside of the European Economic Area (EEA) will first need to have obtained a Certificate of Eligibility for GP Registration (CEGPR) via the General Medical Council (GMC).

There is also support in place to help international medical graduates who want to train as a GP in England.

For advice on the International Induction Programme, please contact us.

GPs from non-EEA countries seeking advice on the registration requirements to practise in the UK, should contact either the GMC or Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP).

Working in the UK

For the right to work and practise in the United Kingdom (UK) as a general practitioner (GP) or family doctor, you need to meet these specific requirements:

• You must be registered and licensed to practise with the General Medical Council (GMC). The GMC checks your qualifications and whether your knowledge, skills and experience will enable you to work as a GP in the UK.
• You must prove as a GP that you have the necessary knowledge of English to communicate effectively so that the safety of patients is not potentially put at risk. In the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) a score of at least 7.0 in each of the four areas tested (speaking, listening, reading and writing) and an overall score of 7.5 is required by the GMC.
• You must satisfy immigration requirements set by the Home Office and have permission to work. For GPs that require visas to work in England, there are separate processes for the International Induction Programme.
• You must complete an induction and be included on the NHS England Medical Performers List (MPL). The MPL states you are fit to practise as an independent practitioner. For the application process visit the online portal.

Working as a GP in England

General practitioners (GPs) deal with a range of health problems and are usually the first person a patient turns to for help. They are general experts in the whole field of medicine and see both children and adults.

GPs usually work in practices, often leading teams which include nurses, healthcare assistants, practice managers, receptionists and other staff. GPs provide continuing medical care for patients in the community or they will refer patients to hospitals or clinics for further assessment or treatment by specialists. Nine out of ten NHS patients are seen in English general practice, and nearly nine out of ten patients rate their experience of their GP practice as good.

GPs manage the widest range of health problems providing:

• diagnoses and risk assessments
• support for people with complex and multiple health conditions
• coordination of long-term care
• support for the physical, social and psychological aspects of patients’ wellbeing throughout their lives.

They are also involved in deciding how health and social services should be organised to deliver safe, effective and accessible care to patients in their communities.