Stage 4: Settle into Practice
Starting a new role takes time, support and experience. This stage helps you build confidence in your day-to-day practice, understand local systems and processes, strengthen professional relationships, and access the support networks available to you. As you settle into NHS Scotland, you'll be encouraged to seek feedback and continue developing your skills and knowledge.
This stage covers:
- Ongoing Support
- Learning and Professional Development
- Supporting your Wellbeing
- Working Safely and confidently
- Key Clinical and Legal Frameworks in Scotland
Focus: Becoming comfortable and effective in day-to-day practice.
If you have any questions about the information in this resource, or you feel there is information which would be useful to add, please get in touch with the Centre for Workforce Supply at nes.cws@nhs.scot.
Ongoing Support
As you become established in your role, a range of support networks are available to help you navigate NHS Scotland and connect with colleagues.
You may benefit from:
- Clinical and pastoral support
- Mentoring and buddy schemes
- Peer support networks
- Connections with colleagues across NHS Scotland
- Professional communities and specialty networks
Learning and Professional Development
Continuous Continuing professional development is an important part of medical practice. Resources are available to support ongoing learning, skills development and career progression.
You can access:
- Online learning and educational resources
- Continuing professional development (CPD)
- Clinical skills and specialty-specific training
- Leadership and management development
- Career planning resources
| Resource | Description |
|---|---|
| TURAS Learn | Turas was developed by Public Services Delivery Scotland, formerly NHS Education for Scotland, to provide a centralised platform for digital products and services. The platform hosts educational resources to support your ongoing professional development. |
| NHS England e-Learning for Healthcare (e-LFH) Induction Programme for International Medical Graduates | An e-learning platform with modules and resources to support IMGs who are new to working in the UK healthcare system. |
Supporting your Wellbeing
Looking after your wellbeing is an important part of maintaining a healthy and sustainable career in NHS Scotland. Moving to a new country, adapting to a different healthcare system, and balancing professional and personal commitments can be rewarding but also challenging. A range of wellbeing, pastoral and staff support services are available to help you manage your health, build resilience, and feel supported throughout your career.
| Resource | Support available |
|---|---|
| Trainee Development and Wellbeing Service (TDWS) | Confidential, non-judgemental support for doctors in training. The service can provide support with exams, career decisions, workplace adjustments, wellbeing and the Annual Review of Competence Progression (ARCP). |
| National Wellbeing Hub | Wellbeing support for everyone working in health and social care in Scotland. Includes access to the confidential National Wellbeing Helpline on 0800 111 4191, where you can speak to someone about your mental wellbeing. |
| Scottish IMG Doctors Support Network | A private Facebook group offering peer support, shared experiences and opportunities to connect with other IMG doctors in Scotland. |
| Scottish IMG Buddy Scheme | Connects doctors who are new to NHS Scotland with experienced colleagues who can offer practical guidance and support with living and working in Scotland. |
| British Medical Association (BMA) – Wellbeing Support | Information and resources to support your wellbeing, including help with stress and grief and access to advice and support online, by telephone and in your local area. |
| Academy of Medical Royal Colleges – Support for Doctors | A directory of UK organisations offering support to doctors, including services focused on mental health and wellbeing. |
Working Safely in NHS Scotland
Working in a new healthcare system can feel overwhelming. Explore answers to common questions that will help you work safely, confidently and effectively in NHS Scotland.
| Question | Why does it matter? |
|---|---|
| How do I navigate change? | Healthcare systems are continually evolving to improve outcomes, experiences and value for patients. Understanding the Scottish Approach to Change will help you contribute to service redesign, quality improvement initiatives and sustainable change within your team. |
| How does NHS Scotland support quality improvement? | Quality improvement is a core part of clinical practice in NHS Scotland. Developing skills in improvement science, measurement and testing change will help you improve patient care, support service development and contribute to better outcomes for your patients and colleagues. Find out more here Quality improvement | NHS Education for Scotland |
| What do I need to know about GMC revalidation? | All licensed doctors must participate in revalidation to demonstrate they remain up to date and fit to practise. Understand what is required and how to prepare throughout your career. Find out more on the GMC website. |
| How does NHS Scotland support patient safety | Patient safety is everyone's responsibility. Understanding how NHS Scotland promotes safe care, learns from incidents and supports continuous improvement will help you deliver safe, effective and person-centred care from your first day of practice. Patient safety – Healthcare Improvement Scotland |
Royal Colleges
Royal Colleges play a key role in supporting doctors throughout their careers. The resources below have been selected as reliable sources of specialty-specific information and support for International Medical Graduates working or training in the UK.
| Specialty | Royal College | IMG Resource |
|---|---|---|
| Physicians | Royal College of Physicians (RCP) | RCP resources for international medical graduates (IMGs) |
| General Practice | Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) | International Medical Graduates group |
| Psychiatry | Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych) | International Medical Graduates |
| Surgery | Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (RCSEd) | Supporting international students and trainees to enter UK surgical training |
| Emergency Medicine | Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM) | Emergency Medicine International Training Programme |
| Anaesthesia | Royal College of Anaesthetists (RCoA) | International Medical Graduates working or training in the UK | The Royal College of Anaesthetists |
Key Clinical and Legal Frameworks in Scotland
The legal, ethical and clinical frameworks used in Scotland may differ from those used in other healthcare systems. Understanding these areas will help you provide safe, person-centred care and meet your professional and legal responsibilities within NHS Scotland. Explore the resources below to learn more about key aspects of Scottish clinical practice.
| Topic | What is it? | Why is it important for IMGs? | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adults with Incapacity (AWI) | The legal framework for making decisions on behalf of adults who lack capacity. | Essential for capacity assessments, consent, treatment decisions and Section 47 certificates. The Scottish legal framework differs from legislation used elsewhere in the UK. | Adults With Incapacity (AWI) Learning Site (NES) |
| Capacity and Consent | Guidance on assessing decision-making capacity and obtaining valid consent for treatment. | A core part of everyday clinical practice. In Scotland, capacity and consent are closely linked to AWI legislation and healthcare decision-making. | Think Capacity, Think Consent (NES) |
| DNACPR | Records a decision not to attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation in the event of cardiac or respiratory arrest. | Frequently encountered in hospital, community and primary care settings. Scottish DNACPR policy and decision-making processes may differ from those used internationally. | Do Not Attempt Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (DNACPR) - integrated adult policy: guidance |
| Future Care Planning and TEP | Supports discussions and documentation of future care preferences, treatment goals, escalation decisions and ceilings of treatment through Future Care Planning and Treatment Escalation Planning (TEP). | Widely used across NHS Scotland, particularly for frailty, deteriorating patients, long-term conditions and palliative care. Understanding these conversations is important for person-centred decision-making. | Future Care Planning (REDMAP) (NES) |
| Adult Support and Protection | The legal framework for protecting adults at risk of harm, abuse, neglect or exploitation. | Doctors across all specialties may need to identify, escalate and manage adult protection concerns. Scotland has specific legislation governing adult protection processes. | Adult Support and Protection Guidance |
| Child Protection and GIRFEC | Scotland's approach to safeguarding children and supporting wellbeing through the Getting it Right for Every Child (GIRFEC) framework. | All doctors have safeguarding responsibilities. GIRFEC is unique to Scotland and underpins child protection practice, wellbeing assessment and multi-agency working. | Getting it Right for Every Child (GIRFEC) |
Explore the International Medical Graduate Hub
