Understanding the medical landscape
In the UK, most health care sector workers (doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, health care assistants, administrative staff etc.) work in the National Health service (NHS). Their terms and conditions and pay are governed by NHS guidelines.
Typically health sector workers work in the NHS for the early part of their careers, with some then transitioning across to the private sector later on as their careers progress. Both the NHS and the private sector have unique offerings and challenges.
NHS
The National Health Service (NHS) was established in 1948 with the aim of providing healthcare that is free at the point of delivery for everyone. Many clinicians and non-clinicians feel a duty to work in the NHS and feel obligated to work in a national public sector institution that focuses on patient care at its core.
In general, the NHS offers staff a secure and stable job, a safe clinical environment with training opportunities, clear career progression and certain benefits such as the NHS Pension Scheme.
On the flip side, the workload can be high, with lower salaries, and a high level of bureaucracy making decision making slow. Employees generally work in hospitals, GP surgeries or in the Community services that the NHS provides.
Private sector
The private sector in the UK is often seen by health care sector staff as much more dynamic offering interesting work with a better work-life balance, more flexible working arrangements and higher levels of pay that are often supplemented by bonuses, and additional benefits (such as health insurance, life insurance, annual leave buyback schemes, gym membership, cycle to work schemes etc.). Senior roles in the Private Sector (such as Chief Medical Officer) roles may require the individual to travel nationally and internationally.
However, such roles can be pressured due to corporate expectations, there may be less training opportunities and less job security.
There are a number of private sector opportunities open to clinicians and non-clinicians. Job opportunities in the private sector include roles in Occupational Health, Private Hospitals, Pharmaceutical Companies, Aesthetics, Health Technology, Medical Education, Medico-Legal and Medical Indemnity, Medical Journalism, Sports Medicine, and Management Consultancy.
