We all love an abbreviation in our lives, don’t we? But here at collective towers we know some of you listening and watching may not know what some of these may mean. To be fair, Even I’ve got a list.

So, here’s a breakdown of the common abbreviations you may here during the podcast episodes!

• NHS - National Health Service – This is the UK national ran health system.

• AHP – Allied health professionals – one of the largest groups of clinical professionals in the NHS including Physiotherapists and dietitians but also art drama and music therapists.

• NMC – Nursing and Midwifery Council – This is the national governing body for nurses, midwives and nursing associates in the UK. Staff in these professions pay an annual fee to be on the register and without this cannot practice clinically.

• HCPC – Health and Care Professions Council – this is another UK governing body and register that staff in the AHP Professions as well as those in the healthcare or biomedical sciences have to register with to practice in the UK. Again, staff pay an annual fee.

• GMC – General Medical Council – This is the UK governing body for doctors in the UK.

• OSCE – Observed Structured Clinical Examination – this is an examination which international nurses, midwives and nursing associates have to pass in order to be added on to the register in the UK.

• IMG – International Medical Graduate – An international medical graduate (IMG is a physician who has graduated from a medical school outside of the country where he or she intends to practice.

• Preceptorship - Preceptorship is a structured period of support for newly registered health and care professionals to transition from student to autonomous practitioner. It helps them develop confidence, refine skills, and embed knowledge into practice, fostering personal and professional growth and supporting long-term retention and effective patient care.

• Band or Banding – when these words are used, it’s referring to pay scales. For example, band 4, Band 5 etc. This usually relates to a specific level of responsibility within a specific role.

We hope this has helped those of you unfamiliar with these and you enjoy listening to us here at the international care collective. See you soon for our first episode on the 21st November 2025!

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Created in partnership between University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust and NHS England’s #StayandThrive Community of Action, this podcast is a joyful celebration of the incredible journeys our international colleagues have taken to join the NHS. Across so many different professions, their stories highlight courage, dedication, and the vital contributions they make every day.

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Subscribe and be ready for our first episode landing 21st November 2025.

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