BMA Doctors for Doctors

This is an excellent resource to give an overview of services available for doctors’ well-being. The lines are staffed by professional telephone counsellors.

Website: http://bma.org.uk/doctorsfordoctors

Tel: 08459 200169 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week)

BMA Wellbeing Services

The BMA’s Wellbeing Services include a range of free and confidential services and information to help support doctors and medical students:

• Confidential 24/7 counselling line, and Peer support service for all doctors and medical students on 0330 123 1245
• BMA members, plus their partners and dependents, can also access a free structured course of up to six sessions of therapy with a counsellor
• A UK wellbeing support directory detailing various support services by geographical availability on their sources of support page

For further information visit: www.bma.org.uk/advice/work-life-support/your-wellbeing/counselling-and-peer-support

Doctor Advice Service

The Doctor Advisor service runs alongside BMA Counselling giving doctors and medical students in distress or difficulty the choice of speaking in confidence to another doctor.

If a Doctor Advisor learns that patients may be in danger, he or she has a duty, as a doctor, to act to prevent harm.

The issues you can get help with below include:

• Accommodation
• Addiction
• Bereavement
• Counselling and support
• Defence bodies
• Disabilities
• Equal opportunities
• Financial support
• Mental health
• Relationships
• Royal Colleges
• Stress
• Training and education

Tel: 08459 200 169

Alcohol Concern

The national umbrella body for 500 local agencies; tackling alcohol-related harm and offering help to the families and friends of those with alcohol-related problems.

Website: http://www.alcoholconcern.org.uk/

Alcoholics Anonymous

This is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. There are no dues or fees for A.A. membership; they are self-supporting through their own contributions. Their primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety.

Website: www.alcoholics-anonymous.co.uk

British Doctors and Dentists Group

This is a service for recovering alcoholic and drug dependent doctors, dentists and students.

Website: http://www.bddg.org/

Foundation 66

Formerly known as the 'Alcohol Recovery Project', Foundation 66 provides quality services for those with drink-related problems, their friends and families.

Website: http://www.foundation66.org.uk/

Gamblers Anonymous

This is a fellowship of men and women who have joined together to do something about their own gambling problems and to help other compulsive gamblers do the same.

Website: http://www.gamblersanonymous.org.uk/ 
Tel: 08700 50 88 80

GamCare

GamCare provide support, information and advice to anyone suffering through a gambling problem.

Open 8am-2am, 7 days a week.

Website: http://www.gamcare.org.uk/

Helpline: 080845 6000 133

Tel:  020 7801 7000

Email: info@gamcare.org.uk

Medical Council on Alcohol

This is an organisation of registered medical practitioners with a view to understanding alcoholism, its prevention, treatment and after-care of alcoholics.

Website: http://www.m-c-a.org.uk/Home/home

Narcotics Anonymous

A non-profit, international, community based organisation for recovering addicts active in over 60 countries.

Narcotics Anonymous members learn from one another how to live drug free and recover from the effects of addiction in their lives.

Website: http://www.ukna.org/

Email: helpline@ukna.org

Release

'Release' offer a range of specialist services to professionals and the public concerning drugs and the law.

They provide advice to drug users, their families, friends, and statutory and voluntary agencies.

Advice is free, professional, non-judgmental and confidential.

Website: http://www.release.org.uk/

Tel: 0845 450 0215
Email: ask@release.org.uk

Sick Doctors Trust

The 'Sick Doctors Trust' provide early intervention and treatment for doctors suffering from addiction to alcohol or other drugs.

Website: http://www.sick-doctors-trust.co.uk/

Cruse Bereavement Care

Cruse Bereavement Care offer free information and advice to anyone who has been affected by a death.

They provide support and counselling one to one and in groups. They offer education, support, information and publications to anyone supporting bereaved people. They increase public awareness of the needs of bereaved people through campaigning and information service.

Website: https://www.cruse.org.uk

Helpline: 0844 477 9400

Email: helpline@cruse.org.uk or info@cruse.org.uk

British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy

Their website provides a facility which enables a search for a therapist in a particular area. They might be able to help with whatever problems are presented.

Website: http://www.bacp.co.uk/

Tel: 08704435252
Email: bacp@bacp.co.uk

Carers UK and Carers Online

This is the organisation representing the UK’s 5.7 million carers.

Website: http://www.carersuk.org/

Tel: 02074908818 Tel: 0345573369 (Carer’s Line)

Email: info@ukcarers.org

Citizens Advice Bureau

The Citizens Advice Bureau give free, confidential, impartial and independent advice on a limitless range of subjects. They include debt, benefits, housing, legal matters, employment, immigration and consumer issues.

The Citizens Advice Bureau is open to everyone regardless of race, gender, sexuality or disability.

Website: http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/

MedNet

They provide doctors and dentists working in the London Deanery area with practical advice about their career, emotional support and access to brief or longer term psychotherapy.

The service operates on a strictly confidential basis.

Website: https://london.hee.nhs.uk/professional-development/professional-support-unit

Tel: 020 8938 2411

NHS Practitioner Health Programme

This is a free, confidential service for doctors and dentists who have mental or physical health concerns and or addiction problems, in particular where this may affect work.

The service covers all doctors and dentists living in the London area. There are currently no arrangements for other parts of the UK, but the service accepts referrals on a cost per case basis.

Website: http://www.php.nhs.uk/

Samaritans

Available 24 hours a day to provide confidential emotional support for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those which may lead to suicide.

Website: http://www.samaritans.org/

Victim Support Line

This is the national charity which helps people affected by crime. It provides free and confidential support to help you deal with your experience, whether or not you report the crime.

Website: http://www.victimsupport.org.uk/

Tel: 0845 30 30 900

Email: supportline@victimsupport.org.uk

Medical Defence Union (MDU)

This is available for MDU members only. They provide expert help and advice on medico-legal and ethical matters including handling complaints, claims and GMC cases.

It is staffed by a team of medico-legal advisers.

Website: http://www.the-mdu.com/

Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland

This is available for MDDUS members only. They support members with complaints made by patients against them or who are facing disciplinary matters from their employing trust. A highly qualified team of medical and dental professionals gives advice and guidance.

Website: http://www.mddus.com/

Medical Protection Society

This is available for MPS members only. They provide comprehensive professional indemnity and expert advice to doctors, dentists and health professionals around the world.

Website: http://www.medicalprotection.org/uk

Release 

Release offersa range of specialist services to professionals and the public concerning drugs and the law.

They provide advice to drug users, their families, friends, and statutory and voluntary agencies.

Advice is free, professional, non-judgmental and confidential.

Website: http://www.release.org.uk/

Tel: 0845 4500 215

Email: ask@release.org.uk

Association of Disabled Professionals

They draw on the expertise of disabled professionals to improve the educational and employment opportunities of disabled people.

Website: http://www.adp.org.uk/

Tel: 01204431638

Email: adp.admin@ntlworld.com

Association of Medical Professionals with Hearing Loss

They provide information, promote advocacy and mentorship, and create a network for individuals with hearing loss interested in or working in health care fields.

Website: http://www.amphl.org/

British Dyslexia Association

They are the voice for dyslexic people. Their vision is to create a dyslexia friendly society that enables dyslexic people to reach their potential.

Website: http://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/

Tel: 01189668271

Email: helpline@bdadyslexia.org.uk

Deaf Professionals Network

They provide an opportunity to network to share experiences. The website is primarily for deaf professionals who live in and around London.

This website can also be used as a resource for other deaf professionals who cannot attend the network meetings.

Website: http://deafprofessionals.wordpress.com/

Email: enquiries@deafprofessionals.com

DIAL UK

DIAL UK stands for Disability Information and Advice Line. They are a national organisation. They are a network of approx. 130 local disability information and advice services run by and for disabled people.

Website: https://www.dialuk.info

Tel: 01302 310123

Disabled Living Foundation Helpline

They are a national charity providing free, impartial advice about all types of disability equipment and mobility products for older and disabled people; their carers’ and families.

Website: http://www.dlf.org.uk/

Tel: 0845 130 9177

Email: advice@dlf.org.uk

Dyslexia Action

They are a national charity and the UK’s leading provider of services and support for people with dyslexia and literacy difficulties.

Website: http://www.dyslexiaaction.org.uk/

Tel: 01784 222300

Email: info@dyslexiaaction.org.uk

Hope 4 Medics

They are a support group for doctors with disabilities.

Website: http://www.hope4medics.co.uk/about.php

Email: info@hope4medics.co.uk

MENCAP

The UK’s leading learning disability charity working with people with a learning disability and their families and carers.

Website: http://www.mencap.org.uk/

Tel: 020 7454 0454

Email: information@mencap.org.uk

Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB)

The Royal National Institute for the Blind supports blind and partially sighted people.

Website: http://www.rnib.org.uk/

Tel: 0845 766 9999

Email: helpline@rnib.org.uk

Royal National Institute for the Deaf (RNID)

The Royal National Institute for the Deaf supports deaf and hard of hearing people.

Website: http://www.rnid.org.uk/

Tel: 0808 808 0123

Email: informationline@rnid.org.uk

Disability Discrimination Act

The legislation that is in place to promote civil rights for disabled people and protect disabled people from discrimination.

Website:  http://www.nidirect.gov.uk/definition-of-disability

Equality Commission

The Equality Commission has the vision of Northern Ireland as a shared, integrated and inclusive place, a society where difference is respected and valued, based on equality and fairness for the entire community.

Website: http://www.equalityni.org

Royal Medical Benevolent Fund

The Royal Medical Benevolent Fund is the leading UK charity for doctors, medical students and their families. They provide financial support, money advice and information when it is most needed due to age, ill health, disability or bereavement

Website: http://www.rmbf.org/

The Cameron Fund

They provide support to GPs and their families in times of financial need, whether through ill-health, disability, death or loss of employment

Website: https://www.cameronfund.org.uk

The Doctors Support Network

They aim to provide support, reduce stigma, and campaign for better services for doctors with a range of mental health problems.

Website: http://www.dsn.org.uk/

International Stress Management Association

They promote sound knowledge and best practice in the prevention and reduction of human stress.

Website: http://www.isma.org.uk/

Tel: 0700 780430 

Mind Tools

Stress Management Resources from Mind Tools

Website: http://stress.mindtools.com/

General

• What skills and aptitudes are required for this specialty?
• What is satisfying and what is challenging?

Career Opportunities

• How many training numbers will be advertised this year/next year?
• What are the competition rations for training numbers?
• What are the career opportunities at the end of training?

Training Programme

• How long is the training programme?
• What are the options within training with regard to:
  • Subspecialisation?
  • Undertaking research?
  • Undertaking a clinical or leadership fellowship?
  • Obtaining experience outside of Northern Ireland?
  • Undertaking other time out of programme?

Preparation for Entry to Training

• What is the structure of the recruitment process?
• What can I do to make myself competitive at recruitment?
• Can you advise on what might be useful:
  • Teaching sessions or conferences to attend?
  • Courses to undertake?
  • Exams to undertake?
  • Are there any opportunities to undertake a taster week or work shadowing?

Work-life balance

• What are the opportunities for less-than-full time training?

NCAS

They work to resolve concerns about the practice of doctors, providing case management services to health care organisations and to individual practitioners. Their aim is to work with all parties to clarify the concerns, understand what is leading to them and make recommendations to help practitioners return to safe practice.

They respond to calls about any aspect of individual or team practice, even where it is not yet clear whether there is evidence of poor practice. They also provide advice on long-standing and complex cases and can discuss concerns without the need for the practitioner to be identified. Contacting them for initial advice does not commit the caller to making further use of our service. Website:

https://resolution.nhs.uk/services/practitioner-performance-advice

General

www.healthcareers.nhs.ukcareers.bmj.com

www.bma.org.uk/advice

http://www.foundationprogramme.nhs.uk/pages/home/your-career-path

https://www.doctors.net.uk/

General Practice

www.rcgp.org.uk

www.rcgp.org.uk/training-exams/becoming-a-gp/think-gp.aspx

Specialties

Anaesthetics:  www.rcoa.ac.uk/careers-and-training/considering-career-anaesthesia

Emergency Medicine:  www.rcem.ac.uk/RCEM/About/Careers_in_EM/RCEM/About_Us/Careers_in_EM.aspx?hkey=69b7d2e7-7f7f-4a9a-a83f-d4d546c75f9e

Core Medicine and Medical Specialities:   www.rcplondon.ac.uk/education-practice/advice/career-stage/foundation-doctor

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6a5L7zzzkw8

https://www.jrcptb.org.uk/recruitment/careers-advice

Obstetrics and Gynaecology:   www.rcog.org.uk/en/careers-training

Paediatrics:   www.rcpch.ac.uk/training-examinations-professional-development/careers/careers

Histopathology:   www.rcpath.org/discover-pathology/i-want-a-career-studying/human-tissue/histopathology-careers.html

Psychiatry:   www.rcpsych.ac.uk/training/careersinpsychiatry.aspx

Public Health:  http://www.fph.org.uk/public_health_careers

Radiology and Clinical Oncology:   www.rcr.ac.uk/clinical-radiology/careers-and-recruitment

Surgery:  www.rcseng.ac.uk/careers-in-surgery/careers-support

Recruitment Sites

www.nimdta.gov.uk/recruitment/specialty-recruitment

www.oriel.nhs.uk

www.hscrecruit.com specialtytraining.hee.nhs.uk

www.nes.scot.nhs.uk/recruitment/nes-vacancies.aspx

http://www.wales.nhs.uk/sitesplus/863/page/80858

Career Choice Exploration Resources

http://cmec.info/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Roads-To-Success1.pdf

https://www.robertsoncooper.com/iresilience/

http://www.teamtechnology.co.uk/

https://www.med-ed.virginia.edu/specialties/

Clinic for Boundaries Studies

This is a UK organisation which works around all aspects of professional boundaries and prevention of boundary violation.

Website: https://professionalboundaries.org.uk/faq/

Tel: 0203 468 4194 

National Clinical Assessment Service

A division of the National Patient Safety Agency which helps the NHS in handling concerns about the performance of doctors and dentists.

For everything except case advice or support; Tel: 020 7084 3850.

For new case advice in England or Northern Ireland; Tel: 020 7062 1655

Email: advice.service@ncas.npsa.nhs.uk

Website:  https://resolution.nhs.uk/services/practitioner-performance-advice/

NCAS Directory of Resources to support Doctors and Dentists

They help with the implementation of recommendations following an NCAS assessment of a doctor or dentist.

They should also be useful in supporting educational programmes for doctors and dentists generally and for identifying further training and programmes following determinations made by the General Medical Council or General Dental Council.

Website: https://resolution.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Back-on-Track-Good-Practice-Guide-2010.pdf

Medical Women's Federation

They represent the interests of women doctors to government and national bodies Website:  http://www.medicalwomensfederation.org.uk/   

BMA Support Service

Doctors facing GMC fitness to practise cases have access to a confidential support service from the BMA.

Website: http://www.gmc-uk.org/concerns/11542.asp

Tel: 0161 9236 602

British Medical Association

Support 4 Doctors

• Burnout
• Raising Concerns: Bullying and Harassment
• The role of the doctor in the wider world
• Serious adverse incidents