Finding a GP position in Doha

DrA, I received this email, contact them if you're still looking... Tanvi Bhalerao &lt;tanvi.crysol@gmail.com&gt; Jul 2 (2 days ago) to me Hi, Greetings from crystal Solutions !! Tried reaching you for the job opportunity for General Practitioner post for Qatar Location, please let me know if you would be interested and kindly send your updated number and resume. <em>edited by Britgirldubai on 04/07/2014</em>

to be on performer's list in UK, One need to do minimal of One session / year that could easily be done during holidays.

Hi Dra PHCC is recruiting GPs at the moment but they are looking for someone with 2 years experience post MRCGP and CCT for Family medicine consultant post. I think one can have Associate Specialist family medicine post with less experience. HMC only employs consultants. There is no concept of non-training post in Qatar I understand. I know because my DH is going to join as family medicine consultant in August and I was looking for job as well. Having said that there is option to be a "GP" in private sector as well. I hope it helps.

Its surprising.They can't seem to get GP Partners in the UK Surgeries[from experience -not been able to find a replacement for me yet'> but when we go back from abroad its not just a retainer scheme,we have to give Exams as well.Read the new BMA guidelines. and also RCGP guidance on GP returning after time abroad. To start with something of a mini GP entrance Exam and then a AKT and Also OSCE/CSA type exam as well.At least thats the proposal but in 3 yrs time when there is severe shortage of GPs in UK things might change. I just moved to Doha as Family Physician.[worked as a GP there for few years'>.I quite enjoy the work.The ethics and culture are different and we have to adapt.What works in UK does not apply here and we have to respect that.They are lots and lots of UK GPs coming to work in various PHCC health centres in Doha.I might do few Locum sessions when I go on holidays but the PCT[CCG now'> are clear about the number of sessions we need to work to be on the performers list and i believe the minimum MDU we have to pay is 1700pounds for the least amount of work[25 sessions'>.

Dear Catonclan, Thank so much for the info! Looks like I've missed my window to 'return to the UK for a brief period to work as a locum', and will be needing an I&R scheme on my return to the UK. On the up-side it may be a useful experience (as I have no choice now). Hopefully it would be a few months working as a retainer GP under supervision, rather than exams etc. I'm searching the BMA website but can't find the quote, could you add the link please? Thank you!!! <em>edited by Britgirldubai on 08/06/2014</em>

Just wanted to say it's wong to say there are no clinical negligence claims out here. They're far less common that in (eg) the US but they still exist.

Britgirldubai - this is from the BMA website. GMC site has more info and links. Returning to practice in UK and retraining GPs returning from abroad GPs returning to the UK from abroad should be aware that if they have been away from UK general practice for 2 years or more, they are likely to be required to complete an I&R scheme even if they have been working in general practice overseas. As per the Medical Performers List Regulations, NHS England and PCOs in Scotland, Wales and NI should assess every application to join the Medical Performers List on an individual basis and consider whether a GP has kept up-to-date clinically. Despite this, in some cases GPs returning from time spent working abroad are still required to undertake the I&R scheme. To avoid this, a GP working overseas might wish to consider returning to the UK for a brief period to work as a locum and engage with appraisal in order to remain on a Medical Performers List. They make you retrain, not so much that you may have holes in your knowledge, as you may have been practicing abroad - but more that things move on in your local area, referral pathways etc, which you need to be up to date on. When I came back into the UK, there were loads of bits of paper required, including a Doha police report, to say I had been a good girl in Qatar for the CRB clearance on return. <em>edited by catonclan on 07/06/2014</em>

Hi Dra I am a GP who has lived & worked in Dubai for 2 years, after 10years practicing in the UK for the NHS. As I had my CV on job sites here initially, I still receive emails from head-hunters/ recruiters looking for UK trained Drs to work in the Middle East. Here are some email addresses: samar@strategichr-me.com, CV to cv@strategichr-me.com (Doha jobs) shaiju@jvi-global.com, www.jerryvarghese.com (Doha jobs) Here are some UAE recruiters that may cover Doha: deepak@medicalnaukri.com lena@west-recruit.com & jo@west-recruit.com careers@crowehorwath.ae glen@hr-intelligent.com uae.spacejobs2me@yahoo.com kimberley.cumberbatch@medicalconnexions.com The post by 'catonclan' has really worried me though... I didn't think it was difficult to practice in the UK again after 2 years abroad, I thought it was only if you hadn't been practicing medicine for 2yrs that your were required to retrain eg. 2 years off having children etc. Are you certain of this? Even if you've been practicing as GP for the 2 years abroad? Let us know if any of the email addresses help, Good luck!

This is precisely why I save up all my doctors and dentists visits until I go home to England twice a year. A lot of the healthcare you receive here (for double the cost of the UK) is rudimentary to say the least. Recently, out of desperation due to severe problems, I had to visit a gynae who just shoved a prescription for a box of pills across the desk without even the most basic checkup - not even taking my blood pressure, family history etc. After researching these tablets on the inernet, I found they are contra-indicated for people with hypertension. I've always said to my DH that if any of us falls seriously ill we would be on the next plane back home for treatment. I also resent sitting for hours in a doctors waiting room while other 'more important' people come in after me & get seen first. Blah......rant over!

Hi Dra, I can only give you my personal experience. OK, so I was a GP with 15yrs UK experience when we arrived in Qatar. We went due to hubby's job, so I was the major child carer. I asked at Future Medical and Queens medical regarding jobs. I also spoke to a chap at the health board. Both places were only interested in hiring you on full time basis, which was not going to work for our family. All 3 places said that they did not have indemnity insurance in Qatar, and obviously my UK insurance would not cover it. I was lucky to have the option, but I was not prepared to work without insurance cover. Now, take this with a large pinch of salt - one of the troubles with anything in Qatar is there is no straight answer to anything. What I found may be tosh! I was assured people don't sue in Qatar, I would not wish to find out. Worth noting are horror stories that if a complaint is made that you may have your work permit removed and exit visa, until money has changed hands (which you likely won't have to hand). Also note that if your professional opinion is not in line with what certain patients may want, as an ex-pat your professional opinion will not count for much. Anyone who has stepped foot on the roads will tell you of the pecking order of society. Anyway, the upshot was that we decided that as your professional qualifications go down the tube after 2yrs of not practicing in UK, that I should go back to the UK. We didn't want to sacrifice my qualifications and have all our eggs in the Qatar basket. After 2yrs out of the UK, even if you are practicing as a doctor abroad, you have to do retraining(quite reasonably to get back up to date with UK practices). In General Practice, the retraining can be tricky to organise, surprising given the shortage of GP's. Quality of practice in some places in Qatar is interesting - certainly in my UK practice I have never needed to prescribe a sackful of 5 drugs for a common cold, as seems common at our local Doha health centre. Its an eye opener! If you do manage to get into work, on terms you find acceptable, I would be very interested. It has been a great cost to our family having to go home. Hopefully the answers you get from the agencies will be a lot straighter than I got. edited by catonclan on 06/06/2014 <em>edited by catonclan on 06/06/2014</em>

Try PHCC Qatar.You can work as primary care GP

Hi dra I would try and contact Hamad Hospital as they are one of the bigger hospitals here. I'm sure it will be easier to search for your hubby once you are here as you will be in the correct 'circles' and word of mouth and contacts here are more likely to lead to something other than cold-calling. Good luck with your move.