Gilles Mangard
Salaried GP; International Medical Graduate: Rural GP
After thirty years in my own surgery in France, I was overwhelmed by the routine tasks.
Gilles
After many conversations with a GP colleague in England, I decided I wanted to work for the NHS as a GP.
I am from Bordeaux and had my own GP practice for 30 years but was unhappy with the French system, in part due to the large number of routine tasks.
I had been visiting Ireland, and specifically the North for thirty years, and was really keen to live there and welcomed the new challenges.
The diversity of the Gp role in the NHS has offered a new stimulus in my career.
I needed to do the Induction Scheme as I had never worked in the NHS before, and did my GP training in France. It was very challenging to do the MCQ tests and also the simulated surgery as I had practiced a different style of medicine in France. You definitely need to prepare well for the tests and there are specifics training courses you can do.
It hasn’t been easy, but it has been well worth it and I am thoroughly enjoying working in a rural practice in Plumbridge, Co. Tyrone. I would encourage anyone new to Northern Ireland to be aware and respectful of the Irish culture that is unique to this place.
My passion is to continue in rural practice. I am very keen to promote a new holistic method with my patients to encourage them to eat healthily, thereby improving their health and wellbeing.