UK Medics I need your input

[rm81dragon]

Hey! I'm a Firefighter Paramedic certified in Florida here in the US. I'm looking at relocating across the pond to London. Anybody know about reciprocity? How does a UK medics salary compare to the cost of living? I know London is one of the most expensive cities in the world...how do medics fair living there?

I need a change, and being Canadian born and still retaining my CA citizenship, I could move to the UK fairly easy. I just want to gauge how well I'd be able to survive working my trade.

-Ryan

P.S. - I'm also technical rescue certified (high angle rescue/confined space rescue/trench rescue/basic USAR) as well as a certified tactical medic for the SWAT team. What are the availabilities in the UK for getting involved with specialty teams like that? Are they primarily fire dept. based? Or are they offered through NHS?

[somedic]

Have you ever been to London? I hate the place myself. If you are serious about moving to the UK I would suggest some where north like Yorkshire or Sctoland.

[paramaniac]

Hello mate,

Reciprocity is a real pain, I know two US medics over here, both really good blokes, both had to re-train

Average salary is £33-35k sterling. Property is ridiculous, £250k+ for a Very small flat (apartment) a reasonable house is £350k plus.

Cars are expensive, a Ford Focus 1.6 4 cyl is approx £13k.

Petrol (gas) is £4.50 a gallon.

Tactical medicine is generally the reserve of the police, they have their own blokes. Technical rescue is the reserve of the Fire service.

Sorry I can't be more positive.

[somedic]

Paramaniac: You know two American medics working over there? I bet they have an interesting story to tell. Do you know how they ended up working there and why?

Somedic

[paramaniac]

Paramaniac: You know two American medics working over there? I bet they have an interesting story to tell. Do you know how they ended up working there and why?

Somedic

Both fell for the allure of the pretty English Rose Both blokes got involved with English nurses working in the US, got married & moved here.

[somedic]

Yes of course: I know how that could happen!

[steve_m]

Sorry to go off topic, but you said you are Canadian born and working in Florida.. Just wondering how difficult was it to get your american citizenship and was there a lot involved?

[Dustdevil]

Both fell for the allure of the pretty English Rose Both blokes got involved with English nurses working in the US, got married & moved here.

So both of the pretty girls in England are married?

I guess there's no reason for me to visit there now.

[paramaniac]

It's true, Dust, I had to marry an Irish girl

[snowbank]

Hi,

I came across this web site http://www.hpc-uk.org/aboutregistration/pr...ons/paramedics/ that might help answer part of your question.

Cheers,

Snowbank