Dr Anuja Patil (Dr.Anjali Deshpande)
Dr Anuja Patil (Dr.Anjali Deshpande)
MBBS, FRCA, PG Cert Med Ed.
Consultant Anaesthetist
University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire
I am a Consultant Anaesthetist in the UK with a special interest in Obstetric Anaesthesia and medical education. I have served as one of the course directors for the Primary FRCA OSCE course at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire.
After completing my MBBS and working in anaesthesia for less than a year, I moved to the UK, where my husband was already working. I began my NHS journey via the PLAB route. Entering anaesthetic training without a prior anaesthetic qualification was challenging. I initially worked in other acute specialties before successfully joining an anaesthetic training programme.
Currently, international doctors in the UK can work in both training and non-training posts within the NHS, offering multiple pathways to gain experience and progress in their careers. Anaesthetic training in the UK is competency-based and typically lasts 7–8 years full-time, divided into three stages:
Stage 1 (CT1–CT3): Core training lasting three years. By the end of CT3, trainees are expected to have passed the Primary FRCA examination.
Stage 2 (ST4–ST5): during which trainees are expected to complete the Final FRCA.
Stage 3 (ST6–ST7): where trainees select a special interest area.
Progression through training is assessed annually via the Annual Review of Competence Progression (ARCP).
Upon successful completion, trainees receive a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) and are added to the GMC Specialist Register, making them eligible to apply for nationally advertised consultant posts. Opportunities for Out of Programme (OOP) training—within the UK or overseas—are also available during Stage 3 or after obtaining CCT.
For international doctors, obtaining a non-training post is often more accessible with a prior anaesthetic qualification. From there, they may apply for a training programme or pursue the CESR (Certificate of Eligibility for Specialist Registration) pathway. This route enables doctors to demonstrate they have achieved the required competencies to gain entry to the Specialist Register. CESR is increasingly being recognised as a viable alternative to formal training for becoming a consultant in the UK.
Overseas anaesthetists may sit the Primary FRCA after obtaining Temporary Examination Eligibility (TEE); however, this process is currently suspended until October 2025. A minimum of one year of UK anaesthetic experience is required before attempting the Final FRCA examination.
On a personal note, I began working in the NHS nearly 20 years ago. My professional and family journey in the UK has been full of adventure, resilience, patience, and growth. In the early years, my husband and I worked at opposite ends of the country for almost three years before we were fortunate enough to gain entry into training programmes within the same deanery.
Raising a family in a new country without extended family support—and managing night and weekend shifts—can be challenging. After the birth of our children, I opted to train Less Than Full Time (LTFT). This significantly extended my training period but it enabled me to balance professional responsibilities and enjoy family life. It also allowed me time to nurture my hobbies. In addition to my medical career, I am an artist and have exhibited my work, donating all proceeds to charity.
To conclude, I believe the NHS is one of the greatest and safest healthcare systems in the world. I have thoroughly enjoyed my journey and am proud to be a part of it. I would be happy to offer advice to anyone interested in exploring a medical career in the UK.
Dr Anuja Patil
MBBS, FRCA, PG Cert Med Ed.
Consultant Anaesthetist
University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire
