Why an induction programme has been developed for IMGs?  

International Medical Graduates (IMGs) play an increasingly important role in effective healthcare delivery in the NHS. Their transition to living and working in the UK is recognised to be challenging, with IMGs likely to face difficulties with communication, culture, and ways of working in unfamiliar environments.

Despite numerous reports highlighting the risks this poses in terms of referrals for fitness to practice, disillusionment, and importantly, patient safety, little has been done in the past, to develop a standardised comprehensive induction programme for IMGs with the aim of rapidly ensuring their integration into life in the UK and working in the NHS. The scale of the problem was assessed by a working group established by the Medical Adviser to NHSE’s WRES Advisory Group (Prof. M Rao), by means of a study of the views and perspectives of IMGs recently recruited by the NHS and by reviewing existing induction programmes. 

How was the induction programme written? 

The induction draft was written by a Development Group, led by Professor Mala Rao and Andy Beckingham, and a final version is being written and edited by those with experience of supporting and being IMGs and other senior leaders from NHSEI, HEE, GMC, BMA and MPS.

The guidance sets the minimum standards for Trusts delivering induction and helps IMGs to better understand what should be provided to them. An evaluation of the draft induction programme is ongoing across six pilot Trusts to assess the impact to ensure it meets the needs of IMGs and determine the cost of delivering the induction. 

The IMG induction programme launch  

This induction programme has been in development since 2019 and is ready to be rolled out across NHS Trusts from 27 June 2022. Trusts are likely to vary in the quality of inductions they provide. From the launch date, Trusts will be expected to formulate a plan for achieving and delivering all aspects of the induction recommended in the guidance.  

Where can I access the IMG induction programme?  

Health Education England have developed an eLearning module to on their e-LfH platform which can be accessed here:  https://www.e-lfh.org.uk/programmes/nhs-induction-programme-for-international-medical-graduates/

Watch the webinar 'Welcoming and Valuing International Medical Graduates' that  launched the induction programme here:  

You can view the induction programme here:  

Download a print version of the document from here.

Evaluating the IMG Induction Pilot