Life in the UK as a Doctor & PLAB Orientation Workshop
30th December 2022, Puducherry, India
We thank the faculty from the GMC for their goodwill and voluntary support.
Workshop Overview
Moving abroad to pursue one’s career in an entirely new country can be a daunting prospect. An informative and insightful overview of the journey, however, can put things into much-needed perspective, making all the difference.
We, the JIPMER Alumni Association UK are excited to put together a first-of-its-kind one-day workshop on the entire pathway, aimed at helping out doctors and medical students interested in a career in the UK. With the core topic being pathways to start practising medicine in the UK, the programme would also cover much sought-after topics such as exam preparation strategies, portfolio building, as well as include an exclusive demonstration/practice of PLAB 2-based OSCE stations.
Organized by a team of JIPMER alumni at various stages in their careers, the seminar will feature lectures, interactive sessions and the PLAB 2-based demonstration with practice opportunities.
Who should attend?
Medical Graduates in internships or house-jobs
Resident Doctors at Junior and Senior levels intending to explore training or a career in the UK
Medical Students aspiring to train or work in the UK in future
Experienced Clinicians looking for alternative pathways for UK Training
Seminar Organisers
Dr Suman Biswas
Dr Prabha Sivaraman
Dr Ananthanarayan C Pillai
Dr Azhar Thanveer
Dr Gopika Sreejith
Dr Nikhil Joseph
Programme Time-0900 -1645 (IST)
Morning Session
Chair: Dr Suman Biswas & Dr Prabha Sivaraman (co-chair)
Tentative- in the process of finalizing the schedule
Dr Gopika Sreejith (9:15 am-9:45 am) - PLAB pathway: Overview and reasons why junior doctors prefer the PLAB OR Things I wish I knew before coming to the UK
Dr Ananthanarayan Pillai and Dr Azhar Thanveer (9:45 am-10:30 am) - What to do after PLAB and getting your first job in the NHS
Tea break/Peer networking (10:30 am-11 am)
Dr Aysha Rasheed (11 am-11:30 am) - Portfolio preparation & progress to structured specialty training
Ms Janet Gray (11:30 am-12:00 pm) - Alternative pathways to GMC registration
Dr Nandini Chakraborty (12 pm- 12:30 pm) - Getting ready for PLAB 1
Dr Sanjoy Bhattacharyya (12:30 pm -1 pm) - PLAB 2 Pearls
Lunch (1 pm -2 pm)
Afternoon Session
PLAB 2 Demonstration (2 pm - 3 pm)- using live-video linking to simulate scenarios
Perspective and Insights from a PLAB role-player - Linda Mclaughlin
Group discussion 1 (3 pm - 3:45 pm)
Tea break
GD 2 (4:00 pm - 4:45 pm)
Vote of thanks (4:45 pm)
Speakers
Janet Gray - Head of GMC North of England
Janet trained as a nurse in Liverpool and qualified as an RGN in 1986. She chose law as a second career, qualifying as a solicitor in 2001. Janet joined the GMC in September 2003 as an in-house lawyer and to date has held positions in various teams advising on fitness to practice, and registration issues as well as supporting the office of the Chair and the Chief Executive.
In her current role, Janet leads a team of advisers across the north of England who supports employers and doctors in their work to make working environments better. Doctors being able to practice in inclusive and fair environments has benefits for them, other professionals, and patients, which is why we prioritize this in our work so that GMC policies and guidance are supportive and focused on helping doctors make the right decisions in often challenging circumstances.
Prof Nandini Chakraborty
Consultant psychiatrist in early intervention in psychosis based in Leicestershire, honorary professor with the University of Leicester, Dept. of health sciences and National Lead for recruitment in psychiatry, which is a joint post held between HEE and RCPsych. She is a PLAB 2 examiner and PLAB 1 panel member. She has interest in global mental health and has volunteered for teaching and training in Nigeria, Malawi and Uganda. Once a PLAB candidate herself, she finds it rewarding to help international medical graduates on the pathway to working in the NHS.
Writer of the GMC blog - Passing PLAB: 9 top tips from an examiner – Improving medical education and practice across the UK (wordpress.com)
Dr Sanjoy Bhattacharya
Dr Bhattacharya is a senior Consultant in Emergency Medicine at the Royal Blackburn Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and brings along a wealth of Examiner experience. Having trained in General Surgery, he is an examiner for the Royal College of Surgeons as well. Currently he is the Vice-Chair of the PLAB 2 panel at the General Medical Council.
Dr Aysha Rasheed
Aysha is a Paediatric trainee with the East of England Deanery and is currently working as an ST2 at Basildon University Hospital.
She completed her MBBS from JIPMER in 2019 and moved to the UK right after. She completed her Foundation Year 2 training in the East of England (Watford) and then joined Paediatric training.
Dr Azhar Syed Thanveer
A proud JIPMER medical graduate of the 2015 batch, currently working as a Senior House Officer in Thoracic Surgery at the University Hospitals Leicester NHS Trust.
Having recently started as a doctor in the UK through the PLAB route, he is eager to share his experience and tips to young graduates looking to launch their careers in the UK.
Working towards a career in surgery, he is currently pursuing a Masters in Surgical Science from the University of Edinburgh. He is passionate about academics and research and loves to teach undergraduates at all opportunities.
Dr Ananthanarayan Pillai
A medical graduate from AIIMS Jodhpur who has recently got the GMC registration and is enthusiastic about mentoring those who wish to pursue a medical career in the UK. Having gone through the complexities of getting the GMC registration after the PLAB exam and attending clinical attachments in the meantime, he will discuss tips to make life after PLAB significantly easier.
Dr Gopika Sreejith
Dr Gopika Sreejith from the batch of 2k15 has recently been registered with the GMC after passing the PLABs. She is currently doing a clinical attachment at Queen's Hospital, London. A previous cultural committee member and current Joint membership secretary of JAAUK, she is here to guide those willing to pursue their career in the UK.
Dr Nikhil Joseph
Nikhil, a graduate of JIPMER (Batch of 2014), has been recently registered with the GMC and is presently the Joint Secretary for Membership and Communication for the JAAUK. Keen about conducting and participating in all kinds of group activities, he loves to get people together and is particularly drawn to music and competitive sports, besides medicine.
Linda Mclaughlin
A senior Business Consultant and HMI Inspector having worked extensively across various learning platforms internationally. Contracts have been undertaken in the UK, the Middle East, Kazakhstan and India to improve professional standards and to deliver recognised outcomes.
A by-product has been the development of expertise surrounding the importance of effective cross-cultural communication for speakers of other languages.
She is currently working in the medical context in the UK. This experience would benefit delegates by bringing an overall view to the conference in helping to navigate future cultural and professional bridges.
Dr Suman Biswas
Following completion of MBBS and MS (Ophthalmology) at JIPMER, Mr Suman Biswas took the PLAB route in 1990. He started working in the NHS, working his way up the ladder, and passing Royal College exams like FRCS, FRCOphth and also a doctoral research degree(MD). Working as a Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon for over 15 years, he brings a wealth of experience in planning, developing and accomplishing a successful career in the United Kingdom.
Dr Prabha Sivaraman
Dr Prabha Sivaraman is a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at North Manchester General Hospital. She also runs a private gynaecology clinic in central Manchester. Graduated from JIPMER in 1992, Dr Sivaraman passed MRCOG and emigrated to the UK in 1999 and progressed in her career as a specialist in OB&G. Since 2009 she has been working in Manchester as a Consultant.
Vice-Chair of the PLAB 2 panel in the GMC
Registration and Fees
Fees of £30 (approximately Rs 3000) for the day’s program. This can be paid online by providing your details through https://www.jaauk.org/shop
Please email us if you are having problems making an online payment at contact@jaauk.org.
Limited seats only to ensure the best experience for attendees.
Disclaimer: This course intends to familiarise you with the format and technique of the exam. We will continue to support the GMC on its guidance and not discuss any real exam scenarios. Hence, the scenarios are fictitious and for educational purposes only to encourage the thought process of a safe clinician.