Medical Training Initiative Guide Introduction How does the initiative work?

The Medical Training Initiative (MTI) is designed to enable a The management of the MTI is a joint approach between medical Royal Colleges, Postgraduate Deaneries, NHS employers (Trusts) and NHS Professionals, with support from the Department small number of International Medical Graduates to enter the of Health.

UK to experience training and development in the NHS for up Each organisation has its own role to play within the scheme – as set out below. to two years – before returning to their home country. Role of Postgraduate The Colleges may also act as Role of NHS employers Deaneries sponsor for an MTI applicant’s (Trusts) Under the scheme a number of places are made available for GMC registration and licensing Postgraduate Deans, in Local employers will liaise with as an alternative to taking the consultation with local their Deanery as to the number the training and development of overseas doctors – using PLAB assessment. employers and Directors of of MTI posts they will offer training capacity not required for planned UK/EEA training Specialty Training, will establish each year. NHS Professionals the level of available training numbers. They will work with Deaneries capacity to support MTI posts in NHS Professionals will act as and Colleges to design MTI their area each year. ‘national scheme sponsor’ Employers do not sponsor immigration, instead these posts are posts with suitable education issuing certificates of All employers seeking Tier and training. Employers will sponsorship to doctors approved by Deaneries and the relevant Medical Royal College 5 sponsorship on behalf of issue contracts of employment appointed to posts approved an applicant must have an ensuring that a final interview for education and training. under the MTI by the Dean, NHS Professionals Tier 5 Form has taken place with selected College and local employer. counter-signed by the relevant candidates before appointment. The scheme operates under Tier 5 of the points based Postgraduate Deanery. The certificate of sponsorship The NHS employment check system for UK immigration, which permits entry to the UK will support application for entry standards will apply in full. Royal Colleges to the UK under Tier 5. for overseas nationals coming to undertake exchanges or In addition, they will also The Royal College - for each They will ensure all of the monitor and report (to NHS education initiatives sponsored by government departments. specialty – will be responsible for requirements of the scheme Professionals) any absence setting the standards of practice have been met before issues or concerns. Immigration sponsorship is provided by NHS Professionals in their specialty for entry to sponsorship is provided and MTI posts, expected outcomes details are recorded of the on behalf of the Department of Health. and will identify potential employment. appointees.

They will be the route into the MTI for overseas doctors and will manage arrangements for expressing interest and applying for consideration as MTI candidates in their specialty.

2 3 Tier 5 certificate of sponsorship application process

Sends invitation Check doctors to identify check identity and issue professional GMC to migrant registration

Approves application and placement identified. Informs GMC of professional sponsorship OR OTHER ROYAL COLLEGE ROYAL

Doctor applies Applies to for entry Enters the UK Arrives for Royal College clearance using and attends work in the for professional certificate of identity check UK sponsorship

DOCTOR sponsorship

Completes migrant starting form, copies passport, entry Report any Complete application Send Email: clearance and ID card and exemptions as form and obtain certificate to [email protected] sends verified copies to laid out in Deanery approval doctor NHS Professionals within guidance 5 days of starting LOCAL EMPLOYER

Return by email Once certificate If migrant starting form Fill in online Monthly audit of Check application incomplete is received PDF not received within Updates Undertakes spot application for process. Contacts Trusts form and supporting application forms certificate is emailed 5 days of starting date NHS Professionals checks on migrant certificate of to ensure there have information with explanation of reported to the UKBA to Trust along with HR systems workers been no exceptions NHS sponsorship missing information migrant starting form and CoS is cancelled PROFESSIONALS

4 5 Information Information Information for for Trusts for doctors Royal Colleges Frequently Asked Questions

If you’re an NHS employer that If you’re a doctor from overseas Any Royal Colleges interested Q. Do IMGs coming here as bodies, that also run the MTI Q. What happens when has identified, with the Deanery wanting to join the initiative, to in taking part in the MTI scheme part of MTI require GMC scheme based in employers they return? registration or similar, is that (predominantly small training/ and College, an MTI role and experience working in the NHS, will need to contact the These posts make use of spare something the Royal Colleges research units) from whom the suitable appointee, please you can contact the relevant Department of Health in the training capacity in the NHS. have to verify? GMC accepts this type of follow the steps highlighted in Royal College for your specialty. first instance. Colleges that are The purpose of the MTI is to professional sponsorship. this section. not already a ‘sponsor’ for Royal Colleges can provide offer overseas doctors from low Through the scheme you can General Medical Council professional sponsorship of It is anticipated that more Royal and middle-income countries Initial Steps enter the UK to take up MTI registration will also need to candidates to the GMC, and Colleges will run the MTI scheme more opportunities to secure posts for up to two years – at the 1. Complete an application form approach the GMC. facilitate a non-PLAB route to in future years. vital training and work end of this period you will and obtain Deanery approval GMC registration; a key feature experience in the UK. Service Q. How will IMGs qualify for return home to your native As posts that can be used for of the MTI scheme. delivery in the NHS is not 2. Email this approval and country. MTI will need to be identified, the MTI? More generally, we should be predicated on MTI posts. application form to a College starting a scheme will Admission to the MTI is through Here’s a list of the participating aware that as well as the relevant NHS Professionals: need to discuss the workforce the Royal Colleges and the other Q. What about existing schemes Royal Colleges – up to date lists RCs that process/administer/vet [email protected] implications with the bodies from whom the GMC for IMG training in the UK? can be found by visiting the link MTI applications, there are a accept professional sponsorship. or send by post to the address Postgraduate Deaneries and number of other bodies, based in Many medical Royal Colleges, for the GMC in the ‘Useful Links’ The MTI is suitable for training at at the back of this guide. how these posts will be employers (predominantly small and other organisations such as at the end of this guide. all levels, especially individuals appointed to. training/research units) from the Commonwealth Scholarships NHS Professionals will then seeking a period of higher • College of Emergency Medicine whom the GMC accepts this type Commission, currently run complete its checks and issue a training in more senior training of professional sponsorship (that ‘sponsorship schemes’ for IMGs. certificate of sponsorship. • Commonwealth Scholarship posts such as ST5, 6 or 7, who allows candidates a non-PLAB These include: Commission wish to hone their skills. It will be The certificate will be sent to the route to UK registration). • International Paediatric for each College or Faculty to set employer, along with the • Faculty of Sports and Training Scheme (Royal Q. Which Royal Colleges are down the process for assessing Migrant Starting Form. Exercise Medicine College of Paediatrics and running the MTI scheme? the professional suitability of Child Health) • Royal College of Anaesthetists each applicant. Final Steps DH is funding the expansion • International Sponsorship • Royal College of Obstetricians of the MTI scheme by increasing 1. Employer to send certificate to Q. How long will they be able Scheme (Royal College of & Gynaecologists the financial support to the Doctor – who then applies for to stay? Physicians) • Royal College of Royal Colleges that administer clearance using the certificate Participation in the MTI will not • International Doctors’ Training Ophthalmologists the scheme. of sponsorship lead to settlement in the United Programme (Royal College of A list of participating Royal • Royal College of Paediatrics Kingdom. MTI permits will be Obstetricians and Gynaecologists) 2. Once the doctor arrives in Colleges can be found in the & Child Health granted for the period of training the UK the employer must Colleges will continue to be able ‘Useful Links and Contacts’ to a maximum period of • Royal College of Pathologists to run their schemes as they have ensure all relevant section at the end of this guide. 24 months, after which the documentation is sent to done in the past, with a few • Royal College of Physicians There are a number of other individual will be expected to NHS Professionals within five minor changes to the paperwork of London return home. There is no prospect required by NHS Professionals days of their start date of a UK career via this route. • Royal College of Surgeons for candidates who require a 3. Finally the employer must report of Edinburgh Tier 5 visa. any exemptions or concerns to NHS Professionals.

6 7 USEFUL LINKS AND CONTACTS

Approved sponsors for GMC registration You can find a list of approved sponsors by following the link below: www.gmc-uk.org/other_links.asp#1

Guidance on GMC registration Registering as a doctor - guidance for graduates from medical schools in countries outside the UK and EEA who have been selected for sponsorship under an arrangement approved by the GMC. www.gmc-uk.org/doctors/registration_applications/join_the_register/ img_sponsorship_p1.asp

Advice to IMGs on working in the UK www.bma.org.uk

Advice for NHS employers www.nhsemployers.org

Information on the NHS The structure and history of the NHS is described in more detail on the NHS Choices website: www.nhs.uk/aboutnhs/pages/about.aspx The NHS Medical Careers website gives details of the specialties and various roles of doctors in the NHS www.medicalcareers.nhs.uk/Pages/AboutUs.aspx

NHS Professionals’ Contacts Postal Address: MTI Scheme, NHS Professionals, 69-71 Clarendon Road Watford WD17 1DS Email: [email protected] www.nhsprofessionals.nhs.uk