General Practice
This is one of many careers you may follow after graduation from
medical college and the Foundation years.
- It is the first point of contact for many patients.
- A GP is expected to have expertise in many medical specialties
as well as specific skills related to General Practice.
- It allows the doctor to relate to, and care for, patients in
the community across all age groups in the long term.
- Many GPs develop additional special interests outside making
General Practice one of the most diverse and challenging careers.
Vocational Training
This is the required training or experience needed before you can
be issued either with the Certificate of Completion of Training
(Article 10) or the Statement of Eligibility for Registration (Article
11). Programmes will start following the second Foundation Year
and you will be required to undertake 2 further years in approved
training posts (ST1 & ST2) which have been recognised for GP
Training, followed by 1 year as a General Practice Registrar.
Other training options exist, but these need to be discussed with
the Deanery or Associate Director for Dorset.
If you have previously held hospital posts as SHO level some of
these may count towards the above requirements. You should seek
further advice from the Royal College of GPs Certification Unit
or the Deanery.
Statement of Satisfactory Completion
- VTR/2 Signed and stamped by each of your Consultant Educational
Supervisors upon satisfactory completion of hospital posts and
countersigned by the Director of Postgraduate General Practice
Education (DPGPE), at Winchester.
- VTR/1 Signed by your GP Trainer upon satisfactory completion
of the GP year and countersigned by the DPGPE only when you have
passed all of the Summative Assessment components.
Royal College of General Practice Certification Unit
The Certification Unit is able to give advice to applicants who
are applying for a CCT under the Article 10 Order or for a Statement
of Eligibility for Registration under the Article 11 Order, see
www.rcgp.org.uk/default.aspx?page=2578
Postgraduate Medical Education and Training (PMETB)
Holds responsibilities for specialist training and is responsible
for establishing standards and requirements for postgraduate medical
training. PMETB will issue the CCT on advice from the RCGP.
See www.pmetb.org.uk
Recruitment
Recruitment of all GP Training posts & schemes is through the
National Recruitment process which occurs twice a year commencing
in January and August (After August 2007 this will only occur once
per year)
See www.gprecruitment.org.uk
Courses
There are many additional training courses, which are not mandatory,
but should be regarded as desirable. Some of these may be found
at the Wessex Course Centre www.suht.soton.ac.uk/Wessex_Courses
- Minor Surgery: A theory course, combined with additional practical
sessions.
- Child Health Surveillance: Usually a theory course with additional
practical sessions.
- Child Abuse: Important area of training.
- Family Planning and Sexual Health: Theory courses followed by
practical sessions. Additional training is required for the Certificate
of Competence to fit IUCDs
- CPR training: Is compulsory for the MRCGP.
- Mental Health Course: Held over 8 Friday afternoons and is regarded
as “EXCELLENT”
Study Leave
An SHO (ST1 & ST2 years) is entitled to 30 days (60 sessions
of 3.5 hours) study leave per year (or pro rata). Half these sessions
are for protected training time in your current specialty. The remaining
30 sessions (15 days) may be used for external study leave, upon
application (allow 6 weeks at least). If training to be a GP you
are entitled to apply for any courses relevant to your future needs
(see Special Courses). Funding is available for approved course
fees, travel and subsistence. It is important to start planning
your education soon as many other commitments will compete for your
time in the GP Registrar year.
GP Scheme: SHOs must also attend at least 8 of the organised half-day
sessions per year (see GP-VTS Study Days).
There is a compulsory additional Induction session held in September
and March for all new GP-VTS SHOs.
Study Leave Funds
Part of your allocated S/L funds are already committed to the GP-SHO
study days so make certain you go to them to get the best out of
your training opportunities.
Educational Supervisor
During the ST1 & ST2 years this is usually your Hospital Consultant.
Who will undertake a formal educational interview in the 1st two
weeks of your post, assess your learning needs, make a plan and
arrange for appropriate study leave and assessments during your
post.
Learning Aims
The GP curriculum, which comes into force from August 2007, lays
out a framework for a structured educational programme. This can
be seen on the RCGP website and is a good guide to current learning
objectives.
Your GP Trainer will also undertake a formal appraisal about half
way through each SHO post.
VTS Study Days
While in SHO posts (ST1 & ST2) you are required to attend 8
out of 10 monthly ½ day release sessions, held away from
the hospital. These are specific educational sessions for SHOs on
GP training schemes. Part of your S/L funds has already paid for
this. SHOs constructing their own GP training may also attend. Dates
are on the Dorset GP website.
Summative Assessment (COGPED-SA)
You must register with the SA office in Winchester (01962 893813)
for your National Training Number and you will then receive regular
information and mailings. www.nosa.org.uk/
- MCQ
The COGPED MCQ; Held in Feb/May/Sept/Dec in Bath Bournemouth and
Winchester. Or
The MRCGP MCQ; Held in May/Oct in London
- Written Submission of Practical Work
The COGPED Audit. Or
The National Project Marking Schedule
- Assessment of Consultation Skills
The COGPED Video component Or
The Leicester/Yorkshire Simulated Patient
Surgery. Or
The MRCGP Consulting Skills Video.
- Trainers Report
A structured report compiled by your trainer in the 12 months
GPR post.
From August 2007 the new MRCGP will replace the Summative Assessment
Exam.
MRCGP (Old)
An exam of excellence run by the RCGP to be replaced in August 2007
with the new MRCGP Currently it consists of 4 separate ‘modules’:
2 written papers, a Consulting skills video and Orals (20 mins x
2). Each module will be available twice a year, May-July and October-December.
You can take the modules in any order, at any time over 3 years
or all together. You must hold current CPR certificates. Contact
the College for details of exam requirements dates and fees.
Royal College of General Practitioners
This is the GP College which is now responsible through the Certification
Unit for the evaluation of General Practice Training either under
Article 10 of the Training Order or advice on those applying for
a Statement of Eligibility of Registration under Article 11 of the
order. You will become an Associate Member when you register with
the RCGP Certification Unit which is a single fee to cover your
membership during your training period.
RCGP Certification Unit
1st Floor
19 Buckingham Road
London
WC2N 6EF
GP Registrar Year
The GP Trainer will be your own guide and educator in these 12 months.
You are allowed 47 planned days of study leave which will include
30 days of the “Day Release Course” usually held on
Wednesdays (in Poole, Dorchester and Bournemouth Hospitals). This
includes two 2 day residential courses.
It is important to discuss your learning needs and plan with your
GP Trainer.
Funding for the GPR year is mostly committed and any further study
leave requirements should be discussed with the Course Organisers.
The GPR training week (10 sessions) also has 1 session for protected
personal study and development. This must be planned and approved
with your GP Trainer and may include additional consultation training
in the surgery.
The last post of your total 3 years training should be in GP.
Part Time Training
Under special circumstances it may be necessary to undertake your
training over a longer time. EEA regulations state this must be
at least 50% of full time hours (i.e. 6 months becomes 12 months).
See “Deanery Flexible Training Guidance” and needs to
include a full time week in both of the Hospital and GPR posts.
Help and Career Advice
If you need career guidance or have training problems please contact
any of the above individuals, who will be pleased to help or advise.
The GP educators visit all the Hospitals on a regular basis. An
appointment can be made through the PGEC.
Associate Director of General Practice Education
Dr Richard Weaver (Acting)
GP Training Administrator: Rosemary Godfrey
GP Centre, IHCS,
Bournemouth University (R604), Royal London House,
Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, BH1 3LT
Director of Postgraduate General Practice
Education
Professor Frank Smith based at Winchester
Severn & Wessex Deanery, GP Directorate
Highcroft, Romsey Road, Winchester, SO22 5DH
Hospital Clinical Tutors
based at the Hospitals’ Education Centres
Dr Tanzeem Raza - Royal Bournemouth Hospital
Dr Tony Blake - Dorchester County Hospital
Dr Tim Battcock - Poole Hospital
General Practice Program and Course Organisers
Based at the Hospitals’ Education Centres
Dr Alistair Watkins PO - Dorset/Poole Hospitals
Dr Andrew Longley PO - Bournemouth/Christchurch Hospitals
Dr Nick Panton CO - Royal Bournemouth Hospital
Dr Sue Crawford CO - Dorset County Hospital
Dr Mark Taylor CO - Poole Hospital (MRCGP advice)
Dr Ian Wyer CO - Poole Hospital
Telephone/Fax/email
Phone No. Fax No
G P Centre 01202-962165 962148
email: ihcs.gp_centre@bournemouth.ac.uk
Bournemouth Ed Centre 01202-704267 704489
Dorchester Ed Centre 01305-254668 255359
Poole Ed Centre 01202-442606 442368
Winchester 01962-863511 877663
Websites
GP Centre
www.dorsetgp.org.uk
Winchester
www.wessex.org.uk
RCGPCU PMETB
www.rcgp.org.uk/certification_/certification_home.aspx
www.pmetb.org.uk
NOSA
www.nosa.org.uk
RCGP
www.rcgp.org.uk
Wessex Courses Centre
www.suht.soton.ac.uk/Wessex_Courses
© Drs Andrew Longley, Alistair Watkins & Richard Weaver
18/07/06
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