Volunteering for a non-governmental organisation

Voluntary medical work can benefit you, your patients, and ultimately the NHS when you return. You will grow professionally and personally from working across different healthcare systems, where you will enhance valuable communication and leadership skills as you face different challenges and resource constraints.

You can practise medicine on a voluntary basis abroad and in the UK, either independently or by applying through a non-governmental organisation (such as Médicins Sans Frontières). The advantage of the latter is the support and infrastructure that come from working with an established organisation. Voluntary roles are advertised on agency websites, where you can review professional and personal requirements.

Many diverse voluntary roles are available, but to practise as a doctor in a developing country you will need at least two to three years’ post-registration experience, experience of working in developing countries, along with leadership and language skills. Qualifications in global health, tropical medicine, or