NHS Ayrshire and Arran IMG Resources
Welcome to NHS Ayrshire and Arran. We are dedicated to creating a supportive environment for International Medical Graduates (IMGs), ensuring a positive first experience with the NHS and life in Scotland. We are committed to helping IMG doctors, including trainees and Development Fellows, transition smoothly and feel welcomed in our hospitals and other healthcare settings.
We have a wide ranging team focused on improving the training and workplace experience of IMGs.
Explore:
NHS Ayrshire and Arran Overview
Discover innovative and diverse careers where you’ll be recognised, valued and encouraged to reach your full potential with NHS Ayrshire and Arran.
NHS Ayrshire and Arran IMG Leads
Dr Sally Youssef - GPWER in Medical Education
📍IMG lead for University Hospital Crosshouse
✉️ sally.youssef@aapct.scot.nhs.uk
Dr Pritam Mohanty - Specialty Doctor Anaesthetics
📍IMG Lead for University Hospital Ayr
Support IMG Doctors in NHS Ayrshire and Arran - Trainers, Supervisors, Employers and Managers
As IMG Leads we value your continued support for our IMG colleagues and for helping them thrive in their role in NHS Ayrshire and Arran. We are committed to supporting you in your important roles as IMG supervisors.
IMG Induction Programme
The programme includes the following sessions:
- IMG induction session (half day), topics covered include:
- IMG team services
- Payslip
- Supervisors role
- Wellbeing services
- Occupational therapy role
- Reflective Practice
- Indemnity cover
- Handover
- Documentation
- Quality Improvement Activity (QIA)
- IMG simulation (full day): this includes both acute medical scenarios and ethical/communication skills. Simulation is a great opportunity to develop our clinical practice in a safe and supportive environment and the scenarios have been very well received in the past.
- Pharmacy support sessions: meetings with pharmacy team to offer prescribing support and signpost to local prescribing protocols and resources.
- IMG welcome day (to all IMG staff): this runs once a year, organised by our International Recruitment team, and aimed at all IMG staff from the multidisciplinary team (e.g Physio, nursing staff, etc). Topics commonly covered are Driving in the UK, Local Travel advice, Introduction to Sipiritual care and Library services, UK/Scottish culture and accents and open Q&A session.
- IMG teaching videos: locally developed short videos covering topics such as Palliative care and prescribing, DNACPR and AWI (Adult with Incapacity) Act.
- ILS (Immediate Life Support) course and Venepuncture/IV access course: these are organised as part of the IMG Soft Landing programme.
You will receive an invitation to attend those sessions by the IMG team.
For more information please contact Claire Gilmour – IMG support for Medical Directorate office by email: ✉️ Claire.Gilmour2@aapct.scot.nhs.uk
We request you attend one of the GMC’s Welcome to UK Practice online workshops before you start, if you haven’t already.
Visit Welcome to UK practice - information for doctors - GMC
Softer Landing Programme
IMGs start with a 4–6 week shadowing period to help them settle into the NHS.
During this time, you won’t have on-call duties and will remain supernumerary to the rota. An individualised action plan will be created with your Educational Supervisor to support your development and build your confidence in local clinical systems.
All doctors will undergo Immediate Life Support training through our resuscitation department, typically within the first two weeks, to ensure you are equipped to use defibrillators and other emergency equipment. Middle-tier level doctors will also be enrolled in an Advanced Life Support course, usually within 12 weeks of arrival.
We offer dedicated IMG support through both Human Resources and the Medical Director’s office. This includes pre-employment checks and connecting new doctors with each other before they arrive.
Peer Support Networks for IMGs
The NHS A&A International Recruitment Buddy Scheme
This is a network of international recruits who are willing to share their experiences and knowledge with new international recruits and each other.
It is an informal group with a Teams site for discussion and arranged meet ups.
The aim of the network is to provide a safe space for all internationally recruited staff to socialise, support each other with the process of relocation and cultural adjustment.
✉️ To find out more about this group and how to join please contact: NHSAAmedicalrecruitment@aapct.scot.nhs.uk
IMG WhatsApp Group
This group is available locally and is open to all IMG doctors. It’s a great opportunity for networking and finding local support/advice.
✉️ If you would like to be added to this group please email Claire Gilmour on Claire.Gilmour2@aapct.scot.nhs.uk.
NHS A&A Ethnic Minority Staff Network (EMSN)
This group if open to any ethnic minority staff members across the organisation to join. EMSN is a safe and confidential space for its members to have discussions, raise issues as well as help influence and bring change to the organisation.
EMSN meets quarterly via MS teams.
ℹ️ For more information or to join the network please contact:✉️ Elaine Savoy and ✉️ Carla Moore.
NHS Ayrshire and Arran IMG Resources
NHS Ayrshire and Arran IMG Resource Guide
Explore our comprehensive guide for International Medical Graduates (IMGs) in NHS Ayrshire and Arran. This valuable resource provides key information on both local and national support available to IMGs.
Trainers, Supervisors, Employers and Managers Training
NHS Education for Scotland IMG Supervisors Introductory Webinar
This webinar is run annually in June, designed to support mentors, managers and supervisors of International Medical Graduates (IMGs) working across NHS Scotland. It provides foundational guidance on how to effectively support IMG colleagues in clinical settings. The agenda may vary per session, however the webinar typically includes:
Best practices for supervising IMGs
Cultural competency and communication strategies
Guidance on induction and pastoral support
Signposting to national and board-specific resources
General Medical Council (GMC) Supporting IMG Supervisors – Cross Cultural Communication Workshop
Workshop Overview
The GMC offers a Cross-Cultural Communication Workshop specifically designed for supervisors of International Medical Graduates (IMGs). This initiative is part of a broader effort to foster inclusive, fair, and culturally competent workplaces across NHS Scotland and the UK.
The workshop is aimed at:
- Enhancing supervisors’ understanding of cultural differences.
- Improving communication and feedback practices.
- Reducing differential attainment and fitness-to-practise concerns among IMGs.
At NHS Ayrshire and Arran we organise two dates locally and aim to arrange future dates, details to be confirmed, which is advertised locally.
Trainers, Supervisors, Employers and Managers Resources
