u/Plus_Pride_6048

Hello GPUK,

looking for some honest perspectives from GPs working in Scotland, particularly Edinburgh, as well as anyone who has worked in both Scotland and England.

I’m currently an ST3 in England and have a salaried GP role lined up in London after CCT. I’ve built a really good relationship with the partners there and there seems to be a genuine potential route into partnership longer term. On the other hand, my wife has a strong chance of being offered a funded PhD in Edinburgh in a fairly competitive subspecialty area (surgical), so a move there is on the table. She has been offered a prestigious PHD in London but currently not funded.

I’m conscious this is essentially a relationship compromise decision, and I’m trying to weigh up potentially stepping away from a very good opportunity in London with a clear, if uncertain, pathway for something more unknown in Scotland. There is also the consideration of leaving friends and family. We also have Young children. Just trying to get broader perspectives from those who’ve been there or are currently working in Scotland or Edinburgh.

A few things I’m trying to understand:

• What does day-to-day GP life actually feel like in Scotland vs England?
• What’s GP life like specifically in Edinburgh?
• Is partnership still seen as attractive or viable in Scotland?
• Are younger GPs still taking on partnerships there?
• How do earnings compare for salaried GPs, locums and partners?
• Is there more autonomy or less bureaucracy compared with England?
• What’s the private and portfolio work scene like in Scotland compared with London and the South East?
• Are there good entrepreneurial opportunities (OOH, diagnostics, private GP etc), or is the market much smaller?
• For those who moved from England to Scotland or vice versa, do you regret it?

I appreciate this will vary massively depending on urban vs rural and individual practices, but I would really value hearing people’s actual experience! THANKS