Oncology Collaboration Pilot Programme
A new opportunity for experienced oncologists to join the UK NHS at a specialty level. Benefitting from national and local professional support, these doctors will make a vital contribution to the clinical oncology workforce and rapidly advance their skills.
Eligibility Requirements
- Full FRCR qualification.
- Evidence of a minimum 4 years of postgraduate training in Clinical or Radiation Oncology.
- Evidence of at least 12 months of Acute Oncology service experience, for example evidence of senior level decision making as a clinical oncologist on call and / or clinical decision making out of hours care of Acute Oncology inpatients including escalation / ceiling of care decision making, managing oncological emergencies independently / minimal supervision. In cases where your hospital does not have a dedicated Acute Oncology service, please provide evidence of your experience of on-call rota, including managing acute emergencies whilst on-call, patient reviews, and ward-based/ITU-based care managing independently or with minimal supervision.
- Evidence of medical practice in Clinical or Radiation Oncology for a minimum of 3 years FTE out of the last 5 years.
- Letter of good standing from current workplace.
- GMC registration.
- Current RCR membership.
Programme Information
- The programme length will depend on the role offered, but it is expected to be approximately two years.
- A range of sites across the UK are included in the programme and the location participants are based in will depend on the role they are offered, if any.
- Participating doctors will be paid in line with the NHS specialty doctor pay bands.
- To work in the UK participants must apply for and receive a Health and Care Worker visa with support from the employing trust.
- Participating doctors will have to complete their GMC registration before beginning any role in the UK and should consult the GMC requirements before making an application.
- There is no direct cost to participate in the RCR programme but there are external processes that may require a fee, such as GMC registration.
The RCR will provide a support package to help participants settle in the UK, integrate into the NHS, build their capabilities, and where appropriate offer support for doctors applying to the GMC specialist register via the Portfolio Pathway (formerly CESR).
Support will include:
- Induction to help introduce doctors to the NHS and the UK.
- Regular check-ins with the national Clinical Leads.
- Named educational supervisor and clinical supervisor to provide regular, high-quality supervision and feedback.
- Appropriate rotations and job plan to facilitate development of relevant skills.
- Relevant Continuing Professional Development (CPD) opportunities such as training in communication and leadership skills, and education in SACT.
- Individual study budget that can be used to fund training courses, resources, and travel to development opportunities.
- Guidance and support for applying to the GMC specialist register via the Portfolio Pathway including a self-assessment gap analysis tool.
- Peer support from other International Medical Graduate (IMG) doctors working in similar roles at a specialty, associate specialist, or specialist (SAS) level.
Participant Benefits
Recruited doctors will receive high quality education and training to build a career in the world-leading field of clinical oncology in the UK. This will include:
- Support to develop the necessary skills to contribute to SACT and acute oncology service provision.
- Specific induction support to facilitate successful assimilation into a new environment and health system.
- A supported pathway of professional and clinical development provided by national experts.
- Connection with peers locally and nationally.
Application form for doctors currently working outside the UK
This application form helps us understand if you are eligible to be enrolled on this programme. The questions reflect the pilot’s key requirements. Once enrolled, doctors will receive details of relevant NHS SAS roles, which they will need to apply for separately.
Please submit your application form via email to [email protected].
The deadline to apply is 9 April 2026.
If you have any questions, please contact [email protected].
Application form for doctors currently working outside the UK
Doctors Currently Working in the NHS
SAS-level clinical oncologists currently working in the UK are also encouraged to join the programme to access support whilst working in their current NHS SAS role. These doctors will receive support with identifying and filling any gaps in their clinical and non-clinical skillsets in line with their career aspirations. They will also be supported in the process of making a Portfolio Pathway (formerly CESR) application if they wish to.
Eligibility Requirements
- Possession of full FRCR CO, including completion of Part 2A and Part 2B.
- Currently working in a SAS grade clinical oncology role in an NHS trust.
Note – locum consultants are not eligible to formally enrol on the scheme, however if they are RCR members, they can access the resources developed as part of the programme as these are membership benefits. They are therefore still welcome to share their details with us via the EOI form so we can share updates with them.