Remote working

Remote consultations have been taking place within the NHS for a number of years, even before the pandemic.

The pandemic itself caused a significant increase in remote working generally and the improvements in the technology related to remote consultations mean that employers see the employment of overseas doctors as an increasingly viable option.

The College supports innovations within the workforce in order to deal with the shortfall in capacity, where these innovations fall within a clear legal and clinical framework.

Job planning for remote psychiatrists should be the same as for in-person colleagues.

If the right job has been identified this should not present any issues. Job plans can be completed electronically and discussions and reviews done virtually.

Job Descriptions can be checked and approved for their feasibility by the College.

It is advised that employers devise a policy for remote working and that this should be reviewed regularly to accommodate any major changes in regulation and technology.

Consideration should always be given to following the principles of the UK GDPR and clinicians given training to ensure correct record management.

The legal framework for remote working has been published by NHSE; the College would encourage any psychiatrist or employer looking to recruit to these roles to follow this framework.