FROM PLAB TO CONSULTANCY- THE FULL MASTERPLAN

Firstly, this is the basic schematic. Which  i would be referring to intermittently.

Note that this journey begins after the 2nd PLAB exam.

Wait, wait. Are you planning to rush through this article? Nah. You wouldn't gain anything. Wait, chill, relax and come back in your spare time. If you're less busy now, ride on ahead doc! Cause it's going to be one hell of a ride! - Dámí

You register with the GMC (General medical council). And then apply for a job. Usually with the NHS, But to understand where we fall in, we need to know how the UK graduates progress.

After their graduation to be permanently registered with the GMC, much like we're to be permanently registered with the MDCN, they undergo two years of training, the first year they train under consultants, much like our internship. The second year they're a bit independent. 

They call those two years post-graduation the foundation years.(FY 1 and 2)

After each foundation year they have forms that are signed. They are called competency forms. More like evidence that they've done the foundation years. Much like we sign forms before we can now be registered to the MDCN.

A way to bridge this gap, between their graduates and ours is where the PLAB exams come in. Passing the PLAB exams means that you're already on the foundation year 2 level (FY2). And when you’re given a job, it’s usually on the foundation year 2 level.

Now at this point I want you to quickly read about

Training and non-training posts.

Click here to read

Seriously, No rush in finishing the article. You must read that before you continue.

Okay, so now you know about training and non-training posts.

Before you can hope to apply for residency, as a  Nigerian, a 12 month accepted form of internship outside the UK must have been done. Then you migrate to the UK, after which you pick up an FY2 job (Non training for an IMG) for a specified period of time must be done for a specified amount of time during which the competency forms must have been signed.

Breath.

Before we go ahead I'd need to explain some terms that we'd need later on.

SOL, RLMT,

Click here to read about them.

CT, ST, Round 1, Round 2.

Click here to read about them

Competition ratio, Fill ratio.

Click here to read about them

Wait. Lol. You really want to continue reading this article without reading the three sub articles i just outlined. No. Go back and read. they're there for a reason!

If you've read them, good! Let's move doc!

I believe now we know the template of building up from PLAB to residency.

Ensure you read and understand. 

It's time to talk about the residency proper.

Residency in UK is unique. In that there's a "runthrough" programme and an "uncoupled programme".

In the following specialties  “uncoupled” specialties you must apply for core training as earlier said, and then apply again for specialty training.

The specialties for core training includes

•             All surgical specialties except Neurosurgery and Cardiothoracic surgery

•             All medical specialties

•             Anaesthesiology

•             Psychiatry

Between core training and specialty training there are usually exams that needs to be passed in order to progress. Please note that passing the exam earlier does not mean you can progress to specialty training earlier.

In the following specialties “run-through” progression from core training to higher specialty training is direct and automatic therefore you only need to apply once. You do not to re-apply for higher specialty training.

•             Neurosurgery

•             Cardiothoracic surgery

•             Ophthalmology

•             Paediatrics

•             Obstetrics & Gynaecology

•             Radiology

Prior to completion of the training programme, you must complete all specialty exams. These can be sat at anytime during training, not after. The required exam is named at the bottom of the diagram.

Again, passing this exam sooner does not mean you can become a Consultant sooner – you still have to complete the programme

Upon completion of the training programme, and once all exams have been cleared, doctors are awarded a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT).

The game changer for Nigerians and other IMGs! Yes, Residency is possible!

Any occupation on the SOL is considered automatically exempt from the Resident Labour Market Test (RLMT). If you’ve been following the story , you know that RLMT makes it difficult to get into competitive specialties such as Surgery or Radiology.

But now there no more reason you cant get that. no more barrier! , so all IMGs are eligible to apply for training jobs in any round, at any level, in any specialty including core training and higher specialty training.

I’m not sure of where I want to specialize? Which specialty is right for me.

[Article to be released soon]

I know my specialty, how can I work towards getting the requirements for getting my specialty in the UK?

There are three main sources of information to find the UK training pathways for specific specialties:

Its important you read them in the order in which i've arranged them.

1. GMC curricula
2. Health Careers NHS
3. Royal College or Faculty websites

I'm not just listing them. Click on each of those names listed above to open their sites and find the requirements for your SPECIFIC speciality. 

Do so now!

Are you sure you're satisfied with the information, please read again.

The pivotal question. Is it worth the risk?

{Article coming soon}

Feel free to drop comments, and questions! I'll attend to them in my spare time.

Bonus question

Some people have written MRCS/MRCP/MRCOG? Where does that fit in/ can I follow that pathway.

Click here to read more about this pathway  

This is NOT a  one time read. You have to read and understand at least three times. You can always come back to read and use this as a gross schematic to your future plans. Do well to share the article to your groupchats!

Note that this is only a schematic. An outline, something to guide and stimulate your own research. 

Lots of information change with time, and as such there is room for error. Feel free to add your own imput for the benefit of other Nigerians.