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Where will I be treated?
It is likely that the overseas clinical team will be based at the NHS hospital you have been attending.  In some cases you may be offered the choice of treatment by an overseas clinical team at another hospital.

When will I be treated?
This will be discussed with you when you are contacted by the hospital regarding this option.  Patient choice is now recognised as fundamental to the NHS, allowing patients to make choices about when and where to be treated.  By summer 2004 all patients waiting over six months for surgery will be offered a choice of moving to another hospital or provider, which could include treatment by an overseas clinical team.

Will the overseas clinical team be responsible for all my care from admission to discharge?
The overseas clinicians will work for the NHS Trust responsible for your care and treatment. 

Follow-up care will normally be undertaken by the overseas clinicians as part of the wider team at the NHS Trust.  Sometimes follow-up care will be undertaken by another member of the NHS Hospital Trust team.

Do I have to accept treatment by overseas clinicians if it's offered?
You do not have to accept treatment from any clinician (UK or overseas).  If you decide not to take this option your position on the waiting list will not be adversely affected.

Do I have to accept the first date I am offered?
If you are offered a date that you are unable to accept you should inform the hospital who will usually offer an alternative date.

How can I be sure that overseas clinicians are as good as English clinicians?
Overseas clinicians undergo a selection and interview process which involves Consultants and the Medical Director from the local Hospital.  This process ensures that the level of training and competency of the overseas clinicians is equal to that which is required to work in the NHS.

All clinicians who work in England must be registered with the relevant registration bodies and there is no exception for overseas clinicians.  Consultants who wish to work in England must be registered with the General Medical Council and the Specialist Training Authority.

Will the overseas clinicians be able to speak English?
As part of the selection process, most overseas clinicians will undergo an English language assessment.   Overseas clinicians who do not pass this assessment will not be offered a position to work at the Hospital.

Will my treatment be any different?
Your treatment pathway will have been agreed within the local hospital.  When you see any Consultant (UK or overseas) in the NHS your clinical treatment will be discussed and agreed at the time of pre-assessment and admission.

What about my rights?
Your rights will not be affected by taking this option.  The principle of NHS treatment is the same as it has always been: your care is based on your needs and not your ability to pay.

Overseas teams work within the NHS, and so your rights for complaint and redress are not affected.  Naturally, we wish to reassure patients that there are processes in place to ensure that patients receive the best care, and the opportunity for things to go wrong is kept to a minimum.

What do I do if I want to comment/compliment/complain about an overseas clinician?
The position for commenting/complimenting/complaining about an overseas clinician is the same as that of UK based clinicians.  Individuals are advised to contact the Patient Advice & Liaison Services at the NHS Hospital.