“It felt like a second chance… and one I didn’t want to miss.”
Relocating to Australia is rarely a straight path, even for highly experienced GPs.
For UK-trained doctor, Dr Paul Squires, the move to Queensland wasn’t just about career progression. It was about lifestyle, opportunity, and a decision that came at exactly the right time.
After decades in medicine across general practice, emergency medicine, and even military service, his journey to the Sunshine Coast is one of experience and embracing change.
A Career Built on Variety and Experience
After qualifying at King's College London in 1995, his early career began in surgery, with training across London and at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.
But like many doctors, his path evolved.
A move into emergency medicine followed, before ultimately transitioning into general practice, a decision driven by both lifestyle and family.
“We had a young family, and I wanted to stay in one place rather than constantly moving.”
That decision led to 17 years in a rural GP practice in Suffolk, where he worked across a broad patient demographic, from paediatrics through to elderly care.
Alongside clinical work, he also:
A New Chapter: The Royal Air Force
In what many might consider an unexpected career move, he joined the Royal Air Force at the age of 46.
“It was a lifelong ambition… so I went for it.”
Over the next eight and a half years, he worked as a GP within the Air Force, combining:
This period brought a new dimension to his clinical experience, working in austere settings with diverse patient needs, including service personnel and their families.
Why Australia? A Decision Driven by Life
The move to Australia came down to a simple but significant decision.
While deployed, he met his partner, Janine, who serves in the Royal Australian Air Force.
After maintaining a long-distance relationship, the question became unavoidable:
Who was going to move?
“It came down to the grey, rainy climate of the UK… or the Australian Sunshine Coast. It wasn’t a difficult decision in the end.”
Though Australia had always been on his radar, this was the moment everything aligned.
Finding DXC Medical Recruitment
Like many international doctors, the journey started with a recommendation.
A colleague who had previously relocated to Australia through DXC introduced him to the team, leading to a conversation with Darren Compton.
“She highly recommended DXC… and the rest went from there.”
Navigating the Challenges
Despite extensive experience, the pathway wasn’t without its hurdles.
One of the key challenges was recency of practice, with his years in military medicine not fully recognised in the way he expected.
“They focused heavily on recent GP work and didn’t fully consider the breadth of my experience.”
Another complexity came from historical differences in UK training pathways, particularly around GP qualifications and assessments.
While frustrating at times, his approach remained pragmatic:
“It is what it is. I’ll do what’s required and move forward.”
Starting Again… As the ‘New GP’
Now based at Bribie Island Medical Centre, Queensland, he is working in a supportive and welcoming practice.
“I think I’ve struck it lucky here. It feels very similar to the practice I worked in back in the UK.”
Like many UK-trained GPs, the clinical work itself hasn’t been the challenge.
Instead, it’s been the systems and processes:
“Seeing patients is the easy part… it’s everything that comes after that’s the learning curve.”
Another key difference has been continuity of care:
“In the UK, patients are tied to a practice. Here, they can move around, which makes building that continuity a bit more challenging.”
Lifestyle on the Sunshine Coast
Outside of work, the lifestyle shift has been exactly what he hoped for.
Living on the Sunshine Coast offers:
“The beaches are right on the doorstep… and there’s no shortage of gyms or places to stay active.”
With plans to explore more of Australia, including Uluru, Tasmania, and beyond, he’s embracing the opportunity fully.
“It all feels a bit like a working holiday at times… in the best possible way.”
Looking Ahead
While there are still steps to complete, including working towards fellowship in Australia, the overall outlook is positive.
“It’s been a steep learning curve, but a rewarding one.”
For other UK GPs considering the move, his journey is a reminder that:
Thinking About Making the Move?
If you're a UK-trained GP considering Australia, whether you're early in the process or already exploring options, having the right support makes all the difference.
Reach out to the team at DXC Medical Recruitment for a confidential chat about your pathway, opportunities, and what to expect.
Daniel Vinogradac
Senior Consultant
+61 401 529 803
daniel.vinogradac@dxcmedical.com.au
“I’m living the dream….” Even writing those words still feels surreal for Dr Tijany. Because behind that sentence is not just a relocation story, it’s a journey of persistence, uncertainty, and ultimately, transformation. For Dr Tijany, the decision to become a GP was always grounded in purpose, a desire to serve communities with limited access to healthcare.
Dr Sumera’s Journey to Coastal General Practice in Australia. Relocating to a new country is never just about a job. It’s about building a future, for your career, your family, and your lifestyle. For Dr Sumera, that journey has taken her from Pakistan to the coastal community of Hervey Bay in Queensland, where she is now settling into both a new role and a new way of life.
