Clinical attachments
Thank you for your interest in a Clinical Attachment at Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust.
Our clinical attachments, (sometimes referred to as clinical observerships) provide doctors with a valuable opportunity to observe healthcare delivery within the NHS and gain insight into clinical practice in a large teaching hospital environment. These unpaid, short-term observational placements are designed to support professional development, enhance understanding of NHS systems and culture, and help doctors familiarise themselves with UK clinical practice.
Clinical attachments are observational only. Participants must not provide direct patient care, make clinical decisions, prescribe medications, order investigations, or undertake any activities that require professional registration or clinical responsibility.
Clinical attachments are available for the following:
- Doctors who have qualified abroad and would like to gain some experience of UK culture and the NHS
- Doctors returning to practice following a break (eg maternity leave or ill health)
- Doctors requesting experience of a particular specialty to aid career choice
Important Information
Priority may be given to applicants whose experience and career objectives align with current workforce needs and recruitment priorities.
- However, please note that doing a clinical attachment does not secure a future position at our Trust.
- Participation in a clinical attachment does not constitute licensed clinical practice and may not be accepted by the GMC as evidence of UK clinical experience.
- Places are limited and subject to service capacity.
Cost and how to apply
Cost
Clinical attachments are available for either 4 weeks or 8 weeks, at a fee of £850.
Where a 4-week clinical attachment is subsequently extended to 8 weeks, no additional fee will be charged.
How to apply
To apply for our clinical attachment programme, please:
- Complete the application form
- Submit all required documentation
- Allow sufficient time for pre-placement checks
Rejection process
Applications may be declined where:
- Capacity is unavailable
- Eligibility requirements are not met
- Required documentation is incomplete
- A suitable clinical host cannot be identified
Contact Us
For further information please contact Recruitment Team:
Email: bhrut.medical-honorarycontracts@nhs.net
Duties of a clinical attachment
Our attachment is for medical doctors who hold a recognised primary medical qualification from an accredited medical school. Healthcare qualification could include non medical doctors.
You are permitted to:
- Observe patient care and clinical interactions
- Attend departmental meetings and teaching sessions
- Shadow clinicians with patient consent
- Attend clinics and ward rounds
- Be involved in quality improvement activities
- Observe surgery in theatres
You are NOT permitted to:
- Perform any invasive procedures
- Perform intimate physical examinations
- Sign any request forms
- Provide any treatment or advise Trust staff on treatment
- Request x-rays
- Obtain or witness a signature for patient consent
- Take specimens
- Teach clinical procedures to Trust staff
- Carry out research
- Assist with laboratory work
Duration of the programme
Duration of the programme
- Clinical attachments are typically offered for 4 or 8 weeks
- Start and end dates must be agreed in advance
- Extensions are not guaranteed and require formal approval
Supervision
Each observer will be assigned:
- A named supervising consultant or clinician
- A hosting department responsible for oversight
Observers must follow all instructions given by their supervisor and departmental staff
Required documentation
Required Documentation
Before starting the programme, applicants will be required to provide:
- Completed application form
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Proof of identity (passport)
- Evidence of qualifications
- Two professional references
- Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check (where required)
- Occupational health clearance, including immunisation status
- Professional registration details (e.g. GMC, NMC), if applicable
Additional documentation may be requested depending on the placement.
Your clinical attachment with our Trust does not create an employment relationship.
Frequently Asked Questions
What will my placement involve?
Your placement activity will depend on the specialty you have selected. Please note that clinical attachments are observational only.
Who can apply?
Applicants must be an adult who has graduated from medical school within the last five years. Applications are welcome from both UK and international medical graduates. For full eligibility criteria see web page.
Is there a fee?
Yes. The clinical attachment fee is £850.
Clinical attachments are available for either 4 weeks or 8 weeks for the same fee.
Can I choose between Queen’s Hospital and King George Hospital?
No. A site preference is not included on the application form, as some specialties are based at a specific site or have limited cross-site availability.
Your placement site will be determined by the Clinical Lead and confirmed in writing before your start date.
Which specialty will I be placed with?
You will be placed within one specialty. You can select up to three specialties, in order of preference, on the application form.
If your first choice is unavailable, we will consider your second and then your third choice.
If none of your three preferred specialties is able to offer you a placement, your application will not progress and no fee will be payable.
Who will be my supervising consultant?
Please do not contact consultants within the Trust directly to request supervision.
Once your application has been approved by the Clinical Lead, we will confirm in writing your allocated specialty, supervising consultant, site and start date.
When do I pay my application fee?
You will only be asked to pay the £850 fee (GBP – Pound Sterling) once a specialty has agreed to offer you a clinical attachment.
The HR department will contact you by email with payment instructions. Payment must be received and cleared before your clinical attachment can begin.
Will I receive a refund if I do not pass the pre-employment checks?
No. Once a specialty has agreed to offer you a placement and you have paid the £850 fee, it is non-refundable if you do not successfully complete the required pre-employment checks or Occupational Health clearance.
Where do I report on my first day?
On your first day, you will meet with a Specialty Service Manager, who will arrange your Trust ID card. Your ID card must be worn while on Trust premises.
The Service Manager will provide an initial orientation and introduce you to your supervising consultant.
Can I start another clinical attachment after my current placement ends?
Yes. If another consultant has agreed to supervise you, you must inform the Recruitment team before starting the new placement. This is required for health and safety and audit purposes.
Please email bhrut.medical-honorarycontracts@nhs.net with details of your new placement and supervising consultant.
My supervising consultant has agreed for me to work as a bank doctor. What do I need to do?
You cannot undertake clinical work until you have successfully completed all required recruitment checks and received clearance for a bank contract.
Please contact Bank Partners or the Recruitment team for further information.
Can the Trust provide accommodation for my clinical attachment?
No. The Trust does not provide accommodation for clinical attachment applicants. You are responsible for arranging suitable accommodation for the duration of your stay in the UK.
I have submitted my application but have not heard from the Recruitment team. What should I do?
Please allow up to four weeks for your clinical attachment application to be processed.
Processing times may vary depending on specialty availability and completion of the required checks.
This step-by-step guide has been designed to help you understand the application process, required documentation, and key stages involved in applying for a clinical attachment at our Trust.
We look forward to supporting you through your application and welcoming you to our clinical environment.
Step 1
Application Submission
- Complete the online application form.
- Upload CV.
Step 2
Application review — 14 working days
- The Recruitment team will review your application.
- Your eligibility will be checked.
- The Recruitment team will contact your referees.
Step 3
Clinical Lead Review — 14 working days
- The Clinical Lead will review your application.
- If a suitable placement is available, the Clinical Lead will confirm this to the Recruitment team.
Step 4
Payment — 5 working days
- Once a specialty has agreed to offer you a placement, you will be asked to pay the £850 clinical attachment fee.
Step 5
Pre-employment Checks - 14 working days
- Your pre-employment checks will be completed, including satisfactory references and Occupational Health clearance.
- Your placement can only proceed once all required checks have been successfully completed.
Step 6
Placement Agreement Issued — 1–2 working days
- Once all required checks have been completed, you will be sent your placement agreement.
- This will confirm your placement specialty, site, supervising consultant and start date.
Step 7
Clinical attachment commences
- Meet your supervising team.
- Complete your local induction/orientation.
- Begin your clinical attachment.