Professionals Urolink

Overseas Urologists

Urolink has regularly supported colleagues from link centres to attend the BAUS Annual Scientific Meeting. It may be possible to combine such visits with observership placements in UK hospitals

Support for Overseas Centres

Whilst we welcome requests for assistance from any centres overseas, we are unable to gurantee help. We do, however, undertake to advertise requests for help, and to provide this wherever possible.

Urolink's base policy is to provide training outside the UK, so overseas trainees are educated in their home institutions rather than in the UK. This is usually easier to arrange, much more cost effective and provides appropriate training to a larger number of people in the local environment than one person coming to the UK to work. This aids the development of regional training centres from where information and skills can be disseminated around the local region. Whilst it is possible to arrange training in the UK for an overseas trainee this is not Urolink's preferred method of providing help (see longer visits tab).

Getting Help with Funding a Visit

Urolink may be able to help consultants and trainees from abroad, for a variety of purposes, using various grants. Please click here for more information. Trainees from established training centres outside the UK may also apply for support when presenting scientific papers at a variety of International meetings and those in their locality such as the Annual COSECSA Meeting.

Urolink has occasionally been able to help with expenses for urology Consultants or Trainees to visit the UK as part of the Urolink programme, usually on an exchange visit from an established link centre.

All applications will be considered, and actioned, by the Urolink Executive Committee.

For further information on the funding process, please see the Funding Opportunities page.

Longer Visits by Overseas Urologists

To the UK for further training

You will need to be very clear about the purpose of your visit to the UK, whether you intend to do clinical work, come as an observer or simply have a non-clinical attachment. The documentation, and registration you will require will be very different dependent upon your intended role and will, consequently, vary in the difficulty in gaining access to what you require in the UK.

You must have a UK contact who can help you with all of the paperwork, together with the relevant work permits and temporary registration with the General Medical Council, the UK regulatory body for doctors, if you intend to work clinically whilst here.

Click here (or on the logo, left) to listen to a podcast conversation between Steve Payne (BAUS Urolink secretary) and Charles Mabedi (Consultant Urologist in Lilongwe, Malawi) after the latter spent time training in the UK with Suzie Venn at Worthing.

This podcast is a great opportunity to learn about the advantages and difficulties encountered by urologists coming from LMICs for further specialist surgical training in the UK.

Overseas trainees wishing to spend a longer period of time training in the UK may wish to consider applying via the following pathways:

To other countries 'in continent' for further training

Urolink has been able to help develop urological training centres by sending colleagues to regional training centres to help enhance their surgical skills. As KCMC in Moshi has been the longest established centre, this has provided training to many colleagues in East Africa, and some funding has been available to facilitate these periods of training. Reports, and guidance, from colleagues who have undertaken such experience are listed below.

to Secondment from Hawassa to KCMC: January 2022 - January 2023

Tizazu Abebayehu finished his year, on secondment, from HUCSH in Ethiopia to KCMC in Tanzania. As previously, this experience was generously funded by an anonymous donor. Tizazu's report shows how his training will help enable the three-man unit in Hawassa grow, and how it may help it become a regional training centre to disseminate urological expertise through Ethiopia.

to Secondment from Hawassa to KCMC: October 2020 - September 2021

Tilaneh Leyeh finished his year, on secondment from HUCSH in Ethiopia to KCMC, generously funded by an anonymous donor from the South-West of England. His report gives great insight into the experience this has given him, the skills he can take back to Hawassa and how this may help the development of the Urology department there.

Travel Requirements

When considering entering the UK it is best to see the regulations in force at that particular time as the gov.uk site Entering the UK. This gives information about restrictions in force, visa requirements and what to expect on entering the country. Please also check with the Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) regarding the specific type of visa required for your visit. Regulations change on a regular basis, so it is important for you to access up-to-date information before you leave your home country.

Reports of European Visits by Overseas Urologists and Trainees

George Soko, Urology Resident at the University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia attended the EUREP-19 Course in the Czech Republic during September 2019. Click here to view his visit report.

Vanessa Savopoulos, Urology Resident at the University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia attended the Leeds Urology Bootcamp followed by an observership at St James' University Hospital, Leeds during October 2019. Click here to view her visit report.

Aron Monish, Assistant Professor at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi was awarded the RCS Edinburgh John Steyn Travelling Fellowship in Urology to visit Guy's Hospital, London during July 2002. Click here to view his report.

Fidelis Chiteka, Urology Resident in Zimbabwe visited Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester for his elective period 2001-2002. Click here to view his report.