Why is the NHS a good place to work?
By Luke Aldred
The National Health Service is world-renowned for being at the forefront of patient care and cutting edge technology. It’s a service where patients can receive free healthcare at the point of delivery, and it covers a variety of healthcare facets including comprehensive medical treatment (preventative, reactive and emergency care), allied health services, biomedical services, and even dental care.
As a global ‘brand’, the NHS is held in high esteem across the world, which is why so many doctors and nurses are keen to relocate to the UK and work for the NHS. Last summer, the NHS celebrated its 70th anniversary – a celebration which highlighted the impact that it has had upon national and international healthcare. The NHS is so beloved that in a survey commissioned to mark its anniversary, more than two-thirds of respondents stated that the NHS is Britain’s greatest ever achievement.
Currently, approximately 153,000 out of 1.2 million NHS staff report a non-British nationality. This accounts for over one in eight workers, representing 200 different nationalities. To explain why the NHS is such a popular employer for international doctors and nurses, we’ve collated a list of five reasons why the NHS is worlds apart from other global healthcare services.
World-renowned brand name on your CV
Over its 70-year history, the NHS has gained a reputation for combining high standards with first-class patient care.
The addition of the NHS as an employer on your CV shows a level of credibility and professionalism which will stand you in good stead if you wish to work in other countries in the future.
The adoption of cutting edge technology to improve medical care
The NHS is renowned for being at the forefront of advanced medical treatment. Throughout its long esteemed history, the NHS has been heavily involved in technology. In 1972, it introduced CT scanners just five years after they were invented by Godfrey Newbold Hounsfield. In 2007, the NHS made headlines around the world when a robotic arm was used at St Mary’s Hospital in London to treat patients for a fast or irregular heartbeat.
And this dedicated to pioneering treatment continues. The NHS Innovation and Technology Payment Programme (ITP) 2019/20 is enabling new technological advances to roll out across the UK. The latest innovations include a new blood test which can detect changes in protein levels in the blood, allowing emergency doctors to rule out a heart attack within just three hours. NHS England is also funding an advanced image analysis software that creates a 3D model of the heart which will assess heart conditions and reduce the need for invasive procedures.
Leading research centres
The NHS is home to world leaders in medical research. The 100,000 Genomes Project is one example of how the structure of the NHS is best placed to position the UK as a world leader in ground-breaking genetic research into cancer and rare diseases.
But the NHS’ expertise isn’t just limited to the UK. Centres such as Kings College Hospital, Moorfields, Guy's & St Thomas’ and Great Ormond Street Hospital are linking up with international organisations to help develop hospital and healthcare services around the world.
A different type of patient care
Many of our international community often express surprise that they can specialise in individual elements of patient care as part of their NHS role. Unlike other countries where doctors and nurses must take full responsibility for all aspects of patient care, within the UK, you can expect to work cohesively as part of a large team.
We recommend reading this interesting article from The Guardian which discusses the experiences of different healthcare workers from across the world as they moved to the UK to work for the NHS.
Impressive financial contributions
Finally, we know that a big reason why many doctors and nurses choose to relocate to the UK is because of the financial implications.
If you’re working for the NHS, you can not only expect a generous salary package (for example, an average salary for a band 5 nurse is between £24,000 - £30,000) but you can enjoy a pension and holiday entitlement of 27 paid days every year, plus bank holidays. This will allow you the opportunity to return to your home country to visit family and friends.
To begin the application process or discover what job opportunities are available within the NHS, get in touch.
