Overview
The Global Health Volunteer Fellowships (GHVF) programme enables doctors in a recognised training programme in England to undertake clinical work as a volunteer for 4-6 months in supervised clinics and hospitals in Africa.
The aim of the programme is to make a contribution to improving health outcomes in resource limited communities and to develop the clinical skills of doctors in training in England. The clinical sites are chosen with these aims in mind, in particular to promote professional development of doctors in training by working alongside international colleagues. It is expected that those undertaking this fellowship will gain skills in leadership, teamwork, decision making, resilience, cultural competency as well as enhanced learning in their clinical skills, which they will bring back to their NHS training scheme on completion of the GHVF programme.
Eligibility
This programme is hosted by the East of England Deanery, but is available for any doctor in a recognised training scheme in England, who has completed at least 2 years of specialist training (e.g. ST/CT 2 +).
Doctors from any speciality training scheme are considered, but there are currently greater availability of posts for those training in GP, paediatrics, emergency medicine, anaesthetics and internal medicine.
Doctors must have agreement from their current Training Programme Director to be able to take an Out of Programme break (via usual OOPE or OOPP processes ).
Current GHV fellowship sites include rural and urban South Africa, Namibia, Malawi, Uganda, Kenya, and Sierra Leone. Doctors need to be prepared to work and live in these countries for 6 months to undertake this fellowship.
It is expected that anyone accepting a GHV Fellowship will undertake a working pattern/ rota similar to a local doctor at a similar level of training.
Benefits
The clinical sites in Africa are well vetted to be able to provide a supported ongoing training environment.
GHV will be supported with the practical processes of preparing to undertake volunteer medical work abroad and to maximise the learning from this opportunity.
How to Apply
The next round of recruitment to the GHVP will close at midnight on 21st November 2025 for those wishing to apply for a fellowship starting between April 2026 and March 2027. Applications for the following year are likely to re-open in March 2026.
Interviews will be held on December 1st, 2nd (morning) and 10th (morning) 2025 and will be on-line.
Those accepted onto the programme will be expected to attend a pre-deployment course in Cambridge on 14th and 15th April 2026.
Before applying to the programme and attending an interview if short listed please consider how you would be able to finance your placement as there is no NHSE stipend associated with the programme at present and to have read the FAQs below.
Please contact GHF email to ask for more details england.ghf.eoe@nhs.net
Global Heath Volunteer Fellowship Programme FAQs
Reflections of a Global Health Fellowship
Please see below the reflections of some of the Global Health Fellowship Volunteers who have recently returned from a volunteer programme.
Reflections of a GHF Volunteer South Africa
Reflections of a GHF Volunteer Sierra Leone
Reflections of a GHF Volunteer Uganda
