Marwan Farouk

Marwan Farouk Bio

Marwan Farouk was born in Baghdad in 1958 to an Iraqi father and German mother.  After his father’s death in 1963, the family returned to Germany and lived there for 10 years.  In 1973, his mother remarried and they moved to England, where he completed his studies and has lived ever since.  Having left the Middle East as a young child, he speaks little Arabic and German is his second language, after English.   

He studied medicine at Bristol University, and specialized in general and laparoscopic surgery.  He has worked in the USA and the UK.  In the US, he completed his MD thesis on hepatic peptide hormone receptors before returning to clinical work in the UK.  He worked as a General Surgeon in various Hospitals in London, Edinburgh and the Home Counties.

He married a fellow MD and they had three children before divorcing. They lived in Buckinghamshire and he worked there as a Consultant Surgeon specializing in upper gastrointestinal and laparoscopic surgery.

After retirement, Marwan Farouk set up SafeReturn, a medical repatriation company whose mission was to arrange the repatriation of sick patients from abroad to the United Kingdom.Marwan Farouk now divides his time between Greece and UK.  He works part time as a property developer and has designed and built his own house, as well as other real estate projects. Join our professional network by connecting with the official Marwan Farouk Facebook page here. Follow Marwan Farouk on his official Twitter page here.

Marwan Farouk's Tips for Personal Self Development

Steps to Becoming a Surgeon

Whatever your reasons for considering to become a surgeon – whether it’s the prestige, pay or intellectual stimulation associated with this highly rewarding and exciting career path, or even being inspired by TV shows like ER and Grey’s Anatomy (ah, McSteamy!) – we’ve put together this little guide to help you get started. From working hours to useful skills and required qualifications to where to look for opportunities, we’ve got you covered. Read on to find out everything there is to know about how to become a surgeon!

1. Research the Profession. To ensure that a career in surgery is right for you, it’s essential that you first gain a complete and thorough understanding of what exactly the profession entails. Below is an overview of job duties, skills, working conditions and salary information.A surgeon’s job is not confined to the operating theatre. Their typical day-to-day duties may include:

• meeting patients (and possibly their families) before the operation to decide on the best course of action for their condition
• explaining procedures and risks involved
• taking tests and arranging X-rays
• performing pre-booked or emergency operations as part of a team (including other surgeons, nurses, anaesthetists and administrators)
• carrying out ward rounds to check the state and progress of patients in their care
• writing to GPs about patients’ conditions and treatments
• performing administrative duties (e.g., completing paperwork).

Benefits of Workng for the NHS

There’s a lot to consider for qualified international nurses and doctors thinking of relocating to the UK. A major consideration is whether you will work in the public or private sector. Working for the NHS is an attractive option for many, which is why its workforce is so wonderfully diverse and multicultural – reflective of the UK population itself. The NHS actively welcomes professionally qualified doctors and nurses from outside the UK and there are many benefits to choosing this employer. Here are our top 4.

Working for the largest employer in the UK. With over 1.3 million employees, the NHS is the largest employer in the UK. By working for the NHS, you can enjoy job security knowing that you are working for a well-established organisation which has been around since 1948. Having such a renowned organisation on your CV will be an asset which opens opportunities in the future, should you eventually choose to move on.

Manageable work hours. The NHS is an organisation which genuinely recognises the importance of a healthy work-life balance, having taken measures to ensure all its employees can benefit from increased flexibility and manageable working hours. Introduced back in 2000, the Improving Working Lives Initiative has helped to boost morale and reduce stress amongst the NHS workforce. Within the NHS, there are many opportunities for working part-time, term-time only or shifts that fit around your commitments. International nurses can also enjoy a standard working week of 37.5 hours, with the flexibility to choose whether to work overtime at enhanced pay rates.

Excellent pay and benefits. By working for the NHS, you can benefit from competitive salaries which reflect your level of training and experience. For example, even newly qualified nurses earn in excess of £22,000 which will afford a comfortable life in the UK. Pay scales reward enhanced knowledge and experience, with experienced consultants able to earn over £100,000 a year.

Training and development opportunities. The NHS is renowned for investing in its employees and supporting their professional development. You will have access to additional training, funded by your employer. Every NHS employee is encouraged to progress through the Knowledge and Skills Framework and you will benefit from an annual review and development plan which supports your aspirations.