Information for GP Specialty Trainees

This section is designed to answer your queries in regard to your training with the Deanery.  If you can't find the answer you need then please complete the form at the end of the section and submit it to us.  We will answer your specific query and add any frequently asked questions to this page.

 

The Deanery

The North Western Deanery is responsible for your education during your GP Programme.  The Deanery is not your employer.  During your programme you will be employed by St Helens & Knowsley who act as the Lead Employing Organisation (LEO) for all GP trainees.

The Deanery GP section consists of the Director and a team of Associate Directors, all of whom are responsible for specific GP programme. There is also a team of administrative staff, each responsible for specific areas of work.

 

Programme Directors

Link icon http://www.nwpgmd.nhs.uk/content/programme-directors-primary-care-medical-educators
A programme director is a general practitioner who has special responsibilities for GP specialty training. It is wise to contact your programme director as early as possible to discuss what sort of experience you might need to prepare you to be a general practitioner.  The programme director will advise you about the best use of your study leave.

 

Primary Care Medical Educators

Link icon http://www.nwpgmd.nhs.uk/content/programme-directors-primary-care-medical-educators
A PCME is a general practitioner and medical educationalist with responsibility for the educational programme for GP specialty trainees and educational advice during the general practice specialty training programme.

 

Problems during training in hospital placements

During your training programme you will be allocated to a GP educator as your educational supervisor.  Appraisal and feedback will occur at several points during a six month post and areas that are causing concern for both parties should be flagged up at an early stage and discussed to try and solve the problem(s).  Written records should be kept at each meeting. The programme director will also be in contact during each job, providing some educational sessions and support. The programme director will also liase with your clinical supervisors whilst in the hospital placements. If a problem arises that cannot be resolved or is difficult to discuss with the department, the programme director should be involved. If required, an Associate Director should be involved at an early stage.

 

Problems during training in GP placements

Your trainer will provide regular appraisal and feedback during your placement.  Problems can arise within the practice and, on occasions, may be difficult to resolve (your trainer is responsible for teaching, assessing and potentially providing references).
If the problem(s) cannot be resolved in the practice, it should be discussed with your programme director. Following this discussion, you will agree with the programme director the best way forward. If the trainer has a concern, this will also be discussed with the programme director. If required, an Associate Director should be involved at an early stage.

 

Health

The General Medical Council advocates that doctors refrain from treating their own illnesses. If you think that you may have a health problem, then make an appointment to have it checked out.
Do not ignore the warning signs of sub-optimal mental health. Seek guidance from your general practitioner or the BMA Wellbeing Support Services (telephone number: 0330 123 1245 email - wellbeingsupport@bma.org.uk, website). This is available 24 hours a day for doctors and their families to discuss personal, emotional and work related problems. The service is free, apart from the cost of the call, which is charged at local rates.

We strongly recommend that you register with a general practitioner, who is not part of the practice you will be placed in during your programme.

 

Changing a Placement on a Training Programme

The reason(s) for changing the placement must meet at least one of the following criteria:

  • a change in the rota and/or clinical experience which affects the delivery of training for general practice
  • duplication of clinical experience (this should be discussed and clarified at an early stage with the programme director)
  • breakdown of the relationship between trainee and consultant or GP educational supervisor

The proposal should not compromise the integrity of the established training programme.

The proposed change must be acceptable to the Trust and GP practices concerned. This includes the order in which the placements are undertaken. The change must not contravene equal opportunities legislation.

The proposal must be discussed with the programme director to check that the post meets the educational requirements of the individual.

If these requirements cannot be fulfilled, the programme must be completed as originally specified.

 

Transferring Training to Another Deanery

It is possible for GP specialty Trainees to move between deaneries within the UK. The arrangements for this apply to both full-time and part-time trainees. Movement is at the discretion of the Directors of Postgraduate General Practice Education (DPGPEs) and GPSTs will be expected to show that they have well-founded reasons for moving.
If you wish to be considered for an inter-deanery transfer the relevant guidance and documentation is available from the national GP Recruitment Office website – www.gprecruitment.org.uk

North Western Deanery - Inter Deanery Transfers

 

Transferring within a Deanery

The processes and conditions for transferring within a deanery are essentially the same as an inter-deanery transfer. If you want to be considered for a transfer, you will be asked to provide evidence of change in your circumstances subsequent to your appointment, and movement will not be supported within the first year of the GP specialty training programme. Transfers are ‘not an entitlement’ and any decision on the request will be influenced not only by the strength of your personal case but also the impact of the requested transfer on the general availability of training in the Deanery.

word icon Criteria for Approval

word icon Intra-Deanery Application Form

 

    nMRCGP

    Registration for certification and college membership through Associate in Training is through the RCGP website – www.rcgp.org.uk

     

    Urgent and Unscheduled Care

    All GP Specialty Trainees are required to complete training in Urgent and Unscheduled Care in order to obtain a CCT at the end of training.

    You need to demonstrate capability and we no longer count hours but assess the submitted evidence in your e-portfolio.
    Your Programme Director will inform you of local arrangements that will allow you to complete the relevant section of your e-portfolio.

    UUC Guidance

    Travel Expenses Other Than for Educational Purposes

    Travel expenses may also be claimed for travel during a general practice post, for purposes other than study, in accordance with the guidance.

    word icon GP ST Travel Expenses (RUA) Claim Form

    word icon RUA (Regular User Allowance (guidance)

     

    Appraisal for GP Registrars

    Link icon http://www.nwpgmd.nhs.uk/content/gp-appraisal-and-revalidation
    Since April 2005 all doctors need to undergo annual appraisal through an approved process as part of their evidence for revalidation. This applies to doctors in training as well as GPs. For doctors in training appraisal is essentially an extension of training. Directors of General Practice nationally have agreed that the trainer is in the best position to undertake your appraisal.

    Appraisal is designed to be a supportive opportunity to reflect, produce a personal development plan and provide material for revalidation. Your appraisal can help act as a focus for an overall review towards the end of the year. It will encourage you to keep up to date with your portfolio, and may help you discuss outstanding issues you have noted through the year.

     

    Continuing Professional Development - Lifelong Learning

    Each postgraduate centre or PCT has working within its organisation a general practitioner who is responsible for continuing medical education for general practitioners. Once you have settled into an area, it may be wise to seek out the GP tutor to find out about local activity.

     

    Higher Professional Education

    Link icon http://www.nwpgmd.nhs.uk/content/gp-courses-overview
    GP Specialty training is only the start of the education that you will require as a general practitioner and the time spent as a registrar in practice can seem insufficient to cover many of the skills you will need.  This is recognised nationally and funding is made available by this Deanery for use within the first year of completing GP specialty training.

     

    HPE Foundation Course

    Link icon http://www.nwpgmd.nhs.uk/content/gp-courses-overview
    Five study days held over the course of the year based on small group work where you can explore and learn about management skills and your own development.  Participants are expected to attend most or all of the days.

     

    Useful Links

    PMTB (www.pmetb.org.uk)

    RCGP (www.rcgp.org.uk)

    National Recruitment Office (www.gprecruitment.org.uk)