Support and resources

Working in the NHS in the UK can be highly rewarding for international medical graduates (IMGs), but the transition can be challenging.

Adapting to a different healthcare system, cultural norms, and new professional guidelines can be demanding – especially since laws and regulations can vary across the UK's nations. 

NHS doctors often need to write reports for adverse incident reviews, coroners' inquiries, or in response to patient complaints. This can be daunting if you haven't written these types of reports before, but our advisers are here to help you as an MDU member. Responding promptly and appropriately can prevent issues from escalating.

Understanding how these legal processes work is crucial to avoiding mistakes and safeguarding your career, so you can continue to uphold high standards of care.

As your medical defence organisation, we're here to support you with guidance and advice on all medico-legal matters. If you need help as a member, get MDU support here.

Explore our guidance and advice

Supporting a colleague through a GMC investigation

Supporting a colleague through a GMC investigation

A fitness to practise investigation is a traumatic experience, and sadly one that leaves many doctors feeling professionally isolated - either because they don't want to burden their colleagues, or they fear their reaction.

But it doesn't have to be this way. And when a doctor in his department was referred to the GMC, Dr Anand Kanani was determined to do what he could to support his colleague.

Read Dr Kanini's story and learn how the MDU can help you.

Read the story

Complaints

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How to respond to a complaint

Our medico-legal adviser Jessica Lee offers some advice on handling a complaint.

We encourage members to contact us as soon as possible when they receive a complaint – even if you think you've done nothing wrong or the complaint is a result of systems or circumstances outside of your control.

Check out all our videos on YouTube.

Coroners and fatal accident inquiries

Reflecting on incidents

How can I be a reflective practitioner?

How can I be a reflective practitioner?

Reflection is a core part of medical practice in the UK as well as an ethical duty.

It can help to consolidate learning and identify opportunities to improve patient care or address patient safety concerns.

Learn more

Adverse incidents