Step 1: Obtaining Global Fellowship Scheme post approval

Step 1:  Obtaining GFS post approval

Route 1:  Approving new posts

GFS posts must be prospectively approved by the College before an International Medical Graduate (IMG) is appointed. Our priority is to ensure that our GFS doctors receive high quality sub-specialty training opportunities within the NHS, which will equip them with skills that can be used to improve patient care in their home countries. We therefore ask for a significant amount of information from the Trust upfront, in order to ensure that posts are suitable.

In order to assess the suitability of a post, we will ask for the following:

• a detailed person specification. We will be looking to ensure that the individual you are looking to appoint will meet our eligibility criteria found here
• a detailed job description to ensue that the post is a suitable training post, and not a service role. The job description should have the following;
  • job title for GFS doctors should be “International Training Fellow” 
  • salary is in line with what a UK doctor in training would receive and at the same level
  • annual leave and study leave budget entitlements to ensure that their is parity with what a UK doctor in training would receive
  • full hospital induction timetable
  • full local departmental/specialty induction timetable
  • confirmation of the named Educational Supervisor
  • confirmation that GFS doctors will receive an average of 3 consultant supervised lists per week
  • confirmation that GFS doctors will enjoy the same opportunities as UK trainees. This includes the expectation for completing out of hours (OOH) work, once they are deemed competent to do so
  • details about the department as a whole – confirmation of the number of anaesthetic consultants and anaesthetists in training
• confirmation from the Postgraduate Dean of the following;
  • that the post(s) will not disadvantage UK doctors in training and provides sufficient educational and training content
• confirmation from the Regional Advisor of the following;
  • confirmation that an ARCP-like assessment will take place annually
  • 6 monthly reports will be submitted to the College
• confirmation from the College Tutor of the following;
  • that the MTI doctors will not form more than 30% of the training rota
  • confirmation that an ARCP-like assessment will take place annually
  • 6 monthly reports will be submitted to the College
• confirmation that the Trust will be paying the GFS fee of £1,380 per applicant
• Induction for GFS doctors when they join the NHS. There has been a big push from Professor Mala Rao at NHS England to ensure that IMGs, which includes GFS doctors have a fitting induction when they join the NHS. Further details on this piece of work can be found here. The College is keen to support this work in it’s entirety for GFS doctors who are sponsored by the College. One of the current requirements of the GFS post approval process is to provide a copy of a full hospital and local departmental/specialty induction timetables. As of 1 April 2023 we have implemented and mandated an GFS Induction checklist as part of the College’s GFS post approval process. We would expect the domains within the GFS induction checklist to be met as illustrated below.  
  • April 2023:  60%  (25 domains met) 
  • April 2024:  75%  (32 domains met) 
  • April 2025:  90%  (39 domains met) 
  • April 2026:  100%  (42 domains met)  
• a completed Global Fellowship Scheme (GFS) Post Application Form (which will pick up much of the above)

Once all the required information is received, these will be reviewed by members of our Leadership Group. If required, we will come back to clarify any unclear/missing information, otherwise we will write back and confirm that your post has been approved, and give you an GFS post reference number. You will then be able to advertise and appoint to your post.

The initial approval period for GFS posts is two years. This means that, upon receiving confirmation from the College that your post is approved (and being issued an GFS post reference number), you have 24 months in order to appoint an GFS doctor. The post remains approved for the duration of the GFS doctors placement.

Route 2:  Re-approving existing posts

If you have previously hosted GFS doctors within your Trust, and you wish to appoint a new cohort, you will need to re-apply to get the post approved. Providing there are no significant changes within the department, or terms of employment, the process is "lighter" than outlined above. Please do get in touch with us at global@rcoa.ac.uk and we will be able to advise what will be required.

When we are approached to re-approve posts, we will look at feedback received and also ensure that all the required reports are received for past GFS doctors.

If there have been significant changes you will need to re-apply as a new post.

• Induction for GFS doctors when they join the NHS. There has been a big push from Professor Mala Rao at NHS England to ensure that IMGs, which includes GFS doctors have a fitting induction when they join the NHS. Further details on this piece of work can be found here. The College is keen to support this work in it’s entirety for GFS doctors who are sponsored by the College. One of the current requirements of the GFS post approval process is to provide a copy of a full hospital and local departmental/specialty induction timetables. As of 1 April 2023 we have now implemented and mandated a GFS Induction checklist as part of the College’s GFS post re-approval process. We would expect the domains within the GFS induction checklist to be met as illustrated below.  
  • April 2023:  60%  (25 domains met) 
  • April 2024:  75%  (32 domains met) 
  • April 2025:  90%  (39 domains met) 
  • April 2026:  100%  (42 domains met