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Overseas clinical teams: overseas providers

  • Last modified date:
    8 February 2007

Frequently asked questions for overseas providers interested in offering their services as an overseas clinical team in the UK.

Who do I contact if I am interested in bringing in an overseas clinical team?

You can contact the Overseas Commissioning Team (OCT).  The team is responsible for the arrangement and facilitation of overseas clinical teams on behalf of the NHS. The OCT is hosted by Kent and Medway Health Authority.  The lead contact is:

Peter Huntley
Director of Overseas Commissioning
Protea House
New Bridge
Marine Parade
Dover
Kent
CT17 9HQ
Telephone number +44 (0) 1304 205706
Fax number +44 (0) 1304 216851

What countries have provided teams for the NHS so far?
So far overseas clinical teams have been from France, Germany, Belgium, South Africa, Spain and Scandanavia.  The NHS welcomes enquiries from any country.

What specialities does the NHS require assistance with?
The NHS has been seeking assistance with many specialities such as orthopaedics, ophthalmology, general surgery and ear, nose and throat surgery.  The OCT will arrange for whatever speciality individual NHS hospitals require.

What will happen once I have contacted the OCT?
The OCT will send out the information which needs to be completed to pre-qualify for treating NHS patients. 

How will I be assessed?
An overseas provider will be assessed on paper in the initial stages of procurement, examining the commercial, legal and financial status of the overseas provider.

Once you have pre-qualified, the OCT will hold your details to match against service specifications from individual NHS Trusts.  During any future tender process clinical competence and language ability will be assessed by the commissioning NHS Trust/Primary Care Trust.

What will be expected of me?
Once you have pre-qualified with the NHS, the OCT will contact you directly by email regarding projects within the UK.  Usually you will be asked to submit a proposal if you are willing and able to meet the requirement being sought.

Do I need to be registered with the General Medical Council and the Specialist Training Authority?
Overseas Clinicians planning to work as Consultants in the UK must be registered with the General Medical Council (GMC) and the Specialist Training Authority (STA).  The following website will give guidance to registration, www.gmc-uk.org. 

What additional requirements/checks should be undertaken by the staff from the overseas providers?
Work Permits, Visas, Police checks and English Language assessments are undertaken where necessary.  Occupational health checks will be undertaken before commencing work with the NHS.  This will include testing for blood borne viruses.

Will I be guaranteed work from the NHS?
Whilst the NHS anticipates a reasonable volume of work, there is no guarantee of any work.

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