Training and development to work as a GP
To become a GP, you need to apply for a GP speciality training programme after completing your Foundation Programme. On this programme you will gain experience both in a general practice and a hospital. Carry on reading for more detailed advice on how to apply and the training that’s required of you.
The application process
There is a standard recruitment process for all applications for general practice training. Applicants submit one application using an online application system. All available training programmes are listed on the National Recruitment Office website. Information about each programme is given (eg where the programme is based and the specialties that may be included in the programme, etc). You can select the type of GP training programme you are interested in and in which deanery (ie geographical area) you would like to train. You can also tell us if there are any areas that you would not consider. A comprehensive ‘How to apply’ guide is published on the website.
Choosing a programme and/or deanery
It is important that you consider a number of issues before choosing which programme and which deanery to select as your first choice. You may, for example, be restricted to working in a particular area or areas or you may be geographically mobile with little or no preference. You may wish to include a certain speciality in your training programme if you are particularly interested in something, so bear in mind that not all training programmes can offer every speciality. Some deaneries can offer a longer period of training based in general practice and this may also influence your choice. To find out more about deaneries, their geography and the training programmes they offer, visit the website. It is important to note however, that this choice is an indication of your preference – we will consider your application on the basis of your first choice preference wherever possible but because our recruitment process is national, you may ultimately be offered one of your alternative choices.
Interview and assessment
Candidates are assessed according to a competence-based person specification, and these competences are measured at various stages in the process through a variety of methods. Once your application has been submitted, we will check that you meet the essential eligibility criteria as defined in our person specification. Provided that you do, you will be invited to attend an initial written assessment and you will be able to book your place for this using the online system. This initial assessment takes the form of shortlisting. Successful applicants will then be invited to attend a selection centre, where they may be given written exercises, group exercises, an interview and a patient simulation (role play) exercise. As with all forms of assessment centre, this is a much fairer way of recruiting because it gives a better idea of what a candidate would be like as a general practitioner.
Training
Modernising Medical Careers (MMC) will mean that students will complete F1 and F2 years before moving on to the three-year GP specialty training programme. With the introduction of MMC, there is greater flexibility in terms of where general practice training takes place. For example, you may be able to spend up to 24 months training within a practice as opposed to the standard oneyear placement as GP registrar, depending on the deanery.
Support
During your hospital training, you will have access to a half-day training course every week and the training programme guarantees this. If it doesn’t happen then your deanery will intervene. The course organiser will normally be a GP, providing trainees with a link between the general practice and hospital-based training. This organiser will also help you to identify a practice for your general practice post. Once in your GP registrar post, you will still attend the half-day training course and support will be provided by a dedicated trainer within your practice. The deanery also runs a number of courses throughout the post – examples of this are a child health surveillance course and the MRCGP preparation course. Other sources of help and advice include other colleagues at day release, the British Medical Association and postgraduate centres in trusts during your hospital-based training.
GAI EVANS is national recruitment manager at the NATIONAL RECRUITMENT OFFICE FOR GENERAL PRACTICE TRAINING.
