GP Fellowships

Overview

Welcome to the GP Fellowships page, here you will find links, resources and programmes aimed at GPs.

If you passed your CCT within the past year then you could benefit from the NHSE GP Fellowship Program, a fantastic opportunity offering weekly paid CPD sessions of £12,664 per year.

The programme is designed to support all those eligible, newly qualified GPs that are in substantive, salaried or partner positions within Cheshire & Merseyside. The GP Fellowship is a 2 year programme of support aimed at welcoming GPs into general practice and their Primary Care Network and allowing for both personal and professional growth.

Throughout the 2 years you will receive access to a monthly, 1 hour mentorship session from an experienced GP, additional coaching, connection with a peer network as well as learning and development podcasts and masterclasses.  Fellows will have portfolio development opportunities based around local health population needs.  This brand new programme is designed to support your transition from a GPST to a GP – with the added benefit that there are no essays and no examinations at the end.

You can apply if you are currently working in general practice or if you’re about to start a new position. If you are ready to apply then please complete the registration form and email it to  [email protected] If you don’t yet have a substantive position then we can connect you with colleagues who can you support you finding a job so please email us or fill out an expression of interest form.

If you have any questions please email us at [email protected], alternatively, we are happy to arrange a meeting to discuss any questions or queries you may have to support you on the next step of your journey.

NW Trainer Journey – HEE available course and enrollment date

Overview

Welcome to the 2020/21 NHS England and NHS Improvement two-year fellowship programme on offer to all newly qualified doctors and nurses entering general practice. This programme is an NHS Long Term Plan commitment, also suggested by the GP Partnership Review and recently restated in the February 2020 update of the GP Contract. 

This programme will support newly-qualified GPs and nurses in their transition to established, sustainable practise in general practice, to become part of the embedded primary care team within their Primary Care Network (PCN) . 

There are three main themes to the fellowship programme and participants should be released from their practice clinical role for one session per week (pro rata) to enable them to participate in the ‘Support and Networking’ and ‘Learning and Development’ activities. These include learning through a likely mix of training days and self-directed online sessions, mentorship supervision sessions and peer support conversations. The third theme to this programme is that of ‘PCN Portfolio Working’, which will be accessible to participants after their first six months on the programme. 

Participant Eligibility Criteria

The Fellowship initiative is focussed on newly-qualified GPs and Nurses who are within their first 12 months since qualifying and hold a substantive contract to deliver GMS services

Aim of the NTP GP Fellowship Programme

  • To support newly qualified GPs to become embedded within their Practice & PCN
  • To alleviate the feeling of isolation in a new role
  • Support Recruitment & Retention
  • To enable newly qualified GPs feel part of their Practice and the PCN team
  • To support familiarisation with the local population health needs by completing PCN Portfolio work
  • To support and develop effective leadership

Benefits for a Newly Qualified GP

Benefits to your Practice & PCN

  • Recruitment and Retention – offers an attractive supportive and retention package
  • Portfolio work to address local health population needs
  • Quality Improvement training available
  • Supports development of leadership skills within your practice and PCN
  • Flexible programme

Self-directed study and flexibility

  • The programme is self-directed and flexible with regards to what suits you and your practice i.e your CPD session could be on a different day each week or you might not require a full 4hrs 10 mins session on one particular week :
  • There is a NTP GP Fellowship Workbook/Guide and Programme Timetable for you to follow – this will assist you with keeping on track

Mentorship Networking & Coaching

The scheme is complemented by two interlocking national initiatives for GPs with additional Coaching opportunities avaiable:

  • ‘Supporting Mentors Scheme’ You will be aligned to a Mentor throughout the programme
  • National support for ‘Next Gen GP’ – which will be utilised to deliver ‘peer networking’
  • Access to six 1 hour coaching sessions with a qualified coach over the 2-year period

Available Resources

  • HEENW Post CCT Fellowship Offer
  • Membership to NHS Networks Information sharing platform
  • Animated Induction to your ICS, ICP and PCN
  • Wellbeing Presentation
  • Podcasts
  • NTP GP Fellowship Workbook/Guide
  • NTP GP Fellowship Programme Timetable
  • Commissioned learning provision
  • Recommended Reading Lists
  • Supported Action Learning Sets

For more information please contact:

Erica Box – Project Manager, Cheshire & Merseyside Training Hub

Email: [email protected]

 

There are varied and exciting opportunities, schemes, and support programmes for early Career GPs, with new schemes and roles opening up. Some of these are detailed below, with more to come in the future.

The making primary care a great place to work includes;

  1.  NTP fellowship (already in place – but possibly extend to all registered HCP)
  2.  GP mentor scheme (already in place for GP/GPN but possibly extend to all registered HCP)
  3. The ‘stars of tomorrow’ – talent management/supporting career pathways/fast track schemes e.g. High potential/ coaching support
  4. H&WB (already in place as 6m but needs extending)
  5. peer support (met with Next gen recently – will update you all when we next meet)

RCGP First5 programme

The RCGP runs a support and networking programme for newly qualified GPs. They have events, networks, and CPD at a local and national level. Click Here > for more info. 

Spark GP Scheme

Spark GP is a new scheme to support early career GPs, GP trainees and other doctors considering becoming GPs. Projects we hope to set up include mentoring, shadowing opportunities and peer support groups. More will follow as the scheme becomes established. Please get in touch with us with any suggestions of projects you would like to see or for more information.

North West Training Hubs Information for newly qualified GPs

What is a mid-career GP? Is that me?

It is anyone who has been a GP for at least 5 years.

As a mid-career GP you may have been working as a clinician for a number of years by now.

Maybe when you finished your training as a GP you were not ready to develop your career further at that point, maybe you spent a few years getting to grips with a new role as a GP partner, had family commitments, were travelling or needing to frequently relocate area. Wherever your life path took you, you may be now looking to re-invigorate your career and explore more which direction would work for you.

We know that having a diverse, interesting and stimulating career means you will remain happy, well and engaged in your work. And we all want that.

There are many roles both beyond face to face patient contact and in enhanced roles that you can explore to use all the valuable skills you have developed over the years.

Leadership 

The NHS leadership academy https://www.leadershipacademy.nhs.uk/ has several courses you can access, many online and free of charge. Follow the link for more information.

This is a great way to find out more about yourself and how you work in a team as well as a stepping stone to more formal leadership.

For more on leadership training https://www.kingsfund.org.uk/courses or for fellowships focussing on leadership https://www.health.org.uk/funding-and-partnerships/fellowships/generationq

Education

For general information about becoming a clinical or educational supervisor and the difference between the two please click on the link below:

The local VTS contact details can be found at the link below:

 

Welcome to the Late Career GP page, here you will find links and resources, and programmes aimed at GPs in the latter stages of their career.

If you are approaching the last few years of your career and are considering options to stay in Cheshire & Merseyside working as a GP, then please contact us.

We would be happy to arrange for you to have a confidential discussion with an experienced GP to help you think through your options for the future, including both clinical and non-clinical work.

Contact Us: [email protected]

Appraisal/ Revalidation 

When appraisals restart in October 2020 they will take on a new format. In recognition of the exceptional stresses that the COVID-19 pandemic is placing on doctors your appraisal will have a rebalanced approach and will focus on your professional development and wellbeing.

You will not have to supply large quantities of supporting information and pre-appraisal paperwork – preparation should normally take no more than 30 minutes. The appraisal will provide an opportunity for a confidential discussion and a time for you to reflect orally rather than in writing.

Your appraiser will capture the discussion in the appraisal summary which you will be able to correct before sign off. The GMC have confirmed that these appraisals are consistent with existing GMC guidance for appraisal and revalidation.

Education roles

What about taking on a new role, or acquiring new skills?

Many GPs approaching the later stages of their careers consider taking on an educational role through which they can support the next generation of GPs. Here we describe a few of the options, along with some other resources for developing your skills in leadership that you might want to consider.

Medical Student Teaching

Medical student teaching is a popular and rewarding way of getting into teaching and developing your expertise in education. There are different approaches (from group to individual teaching), depending on the year of study the students are from, and excellent support is offered by the Academies.

University of Bristol send out a monthly Primary Care Teaching 

GP Appraiser

Doctors need to be able to demonstrate that they are sound, up-to-date practitioners. A great appraiser is able to help doctors demonstrate this, while providing support and appropriate challenge. If you are interested in becoming an appraiser:

  • Talk to your appraiser or other appraisers about the role.
  • Contact your appraisal lead, appraisal co-ordinator or responsible officer to discuss the role and find out about the local process for becoming an appraiser.

We have included information about appraisal and contact details for the local team on our Appraisals page.

PCN Education Leads

Many Primary Care Networks (PCNs) are recognising the need to appoint a GP experienced in teaching training and supervision to the new role of Education Lead This is in recognition that:

  • the embedding of new clinical roles (physicians associates, paramedics, practice-based pharmacists etc.) into primary care, with the necessary supervision and training will need an educational approach; the Education Lead would oversee the clinical and pastoral support for new PCN healthcare professionals in a strategic role that would include close working with the individual clinical supervisors;
  • several of the forthcoming PCN DESs have educational requirements, such as contributing to locally organised shared learning opportunities for care homes as part of the Enhanced Health in Care Homes (EHCH); peer learning as part of quality improvement of the Early Cancer Diagnosis specifications, and staff training to meet the requirements of the Structured Medication Reviews (SMR).

The Educational Lead would work alongside the Clinical Directors (CDs) to provide the required training and facilitate peer-learning events.

Approach your PCN CD to find out whether there is an opportunity to taken on this role.

Mentoring

The Supporting Mentors Scheme was introduced in the ‘Update to the GP Contract Agreement 2020/21 – 2023/24’. It is a scheme supported by national funding, delivered locally, aimed at supporting GPs through creating an opportunity to develop mentoring skills, and to work in a different way. The aim is to retain experienced GPs working in primary care by creating an opportunity to support less experienced GPs through high quality mentoring. The scheme is linked directly to the General Practice Fellowship programme, with mentors providing mentorship to fellows participating in the programme. The scheme supports GPs who currently deliver – or agree to deliver – a minimum of three clinical sessions (4 hours 10 minutes each) per week, to conduct an additional weekly session of mentoring. GPs who have experience in leadership roles, medical education, or are currently a GP partner are particularly encouraged to participate. It is especially for GPs who want to “give back” but are not looking to retire yet.

The delivery of the scheme involves the recruiting and training of mentor GPs, connecting them to mentees, and reimbursing mentors for their mentorship sessions. Participants are able to access two aspects of this scheme:

  1. Mentorship training which results in an industry recognised qualification (likely to be equivalent to the ILM Level 5 in Coaching & Mentoring)
  2. A financial payment of £289 (‘mentoring supplement’) for the weekly session utilised for delivery of mentorship activities

Interested GPs should email the training hub for further information and an application form.

Other development/leadership training opportunities:

National initiatives and schemes

General Practice Improvement Leader Programme

Having clinicians and managers with quality improvement skills is key to successful change. Funded places are provided on the General Practice Improvement Leader training programme from NHS England’s Sustainable Improvement team. This is a successful personal development programme with small cohorts of up to 30 people to build confidence and skills for leading service redesign in your practice or federation. Find out more at: www.england.nhs.uk/gp/gpfv/redesign/gpdp/capability

NHS Leadership Academy

The NHS Leadership Academy’s philosophy is simple – great leadership development improves leadership behaviours and skills. Better leadership leads to better patient care, experience and outcomes. The academy’s courses in primary care leadership are led locally and vary in different parts of the country. Courses that might be available include team leadership development, emerging leaders networks and systems leadership. To enquire about what’s available in your area and for more information visit: www.leadershipacademy.nhs.uk

BMA personal and career development programmes (BMA members) The BMA offers personal, step-by-step guidance, FAQs and practical tools on the topics you face on a day-to-day basis as a GP, as well as a variety of career development and leadership courses. To learn more phone 0300 123 1233 or visit www.bma.org.uk

The GP Retention Scheme creates a flexible working environment for qualified GPs who are unable at present to commit to working in usual circumstances as a partner or a salaried GP.

The GP Retention Scheme creates a flexible working environment for qualified GPs who are unable at present to commit to working in usual circumstances as a partner or a salaried GP. The scheme allows for them to develop and maintain their skills and transition in to a permanent post when the circumstances permit. Those that participate will be supported to work flexibly suiting the needs of both the individual and the practice. The scheme offers support to those GPs who have family commitments or health problems and facilitates the continuation of education in a practice setting.

In order to be considered, eligibility to work unrestricted in general practice is required for a maximum of four sessions per week for a period not exceeding five years. Applications are approved through a panel and Gloucestershire localities are ready to host GP retainers that are able to participate in the program. 

For more information from NHS England on the National scheme click on this link https://www.england.nhs.uk/gp/the-best-place-to-work/retaining-the-current-medical-workforce/retained-doctors/

 Individuals that require further information please contact:

Tel: 0300 421 1433 (CCG)

Those wishing to discuss the options with a GP Please contact:[email protected]

 

Introduction & Refresher scheme

The Induction & Refresher scheme enables qualified GP’s that have taken a break from practice to get the support they need when returning to a career in NHS general practice. The program is tailored to meet the needs of the individual, recognising personal experiences and commitments the I&R offers a range of support for GP’s on the scheme such as; a placement bursary of up to £3,500 a month, help towards indemnity costs and other fees, a dedicated account manager, relocation support, help with visa costs and training and development.

For further information and the Return to Practice brochure click on this link https://www.gpreturner.nhs.uk/

 

Welcome to the GP Support page. Here you will find links to support services and resources for GPs. Please feel free to contact us if you know of a service you feel should be listed.

Working in the Health Sector can be an incredibly rewarding job; but we all know that sometimes, the fast paced environment, workloads and pressure that make it exciting can take it’s toll. Everyone can need some extra support or a place to turn to from time to time; whether it’s career advice or a more difficult subject, a signpost or a friendly ear can go a long way to solving the problem.

There are lots of places you can access support and advice; but when you are feeling under pressure they can be hard to find. To make things a bit easier we have listed some resources that may be helpful.

If you need urgent mental health support – you can contact the GP Health Service. Access the service by emailing them on [email protected] or by calling 0300 0303 300

Monday to Friday 8AM to 8PM and Saturday 7:30AM to 2:30PM or contact the 24/7 crisis support line by texting PHP to 85258

You can also contact the new SHOUT text support helpline – access their confidential 24/7 crisis support service Here >

Shout is the UK’s first free 24/7 text service for anyone in crisis anytime, anywhere. It’s a place to go if you’re struggling to cope and you need immediate help.

GP support pack for GPs living and working in Cheshire & Merseyside developed in partnership with NSHE can be found at the link below.

 

GP Health Service

The NHS GP Health Service is a confidential NHS service for GPs and GP trainees in England.

The GP Health Service can help doctors with issues relating to a mental health concern, including stress or depression, or an addiction problem, in particular where these might affect work.

(GPH is not a service for individuals with mental health problems which require specialist psychiatric input though it can help provide additional support where it can).

Click Here > to go to the GP Health Service

Zero Suicide Alliance

The Zero Suicide Alliance is a collaborative of National Health Service trusts, businesses and individuals who are all committed to suicide prevention in the UK and beyond. The alliance is ultimately concerned with improving support for people contemplating suicide by raising awareness of and promoting FREE suicide prevention training which is accessible to all. The aims of this training are to: enable people to identify when someone is presenting with suicidal thoughts/behaviour, to be able to speak out in a supportive manner, and to empower them to signpost the individual to the correct services or support.

To access their services and FREE training Click Here >

Gloucestershire LMC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RCGP

The Royal College of GPs has a dedicated page of links , networks, advice and self help.

Click Here > for the RCGP Well-being Page

Click Here > for the RCGP list of ‘Where to get help‘ page with direct links to organisations that can help GPs with a full range of issues , personal and professional.

BMA

BMA Charities -Financial support

The BMA has 2 charity funds that help Doctors and Medical Students and their dependants in financial difficulties. You DO NOT need to be a BMA memeber to apply to these funds for help.

Click Here > to visit the BMA Charities page.

BMA Legal Support

The BMA also has a legal arm that can provide legal support in a personal or professional capacity.

Click Here > to visit the BMA Law page

HEE

HEE has several pages dedicated to ‘Learner’ Health & well-being (not just for students, HEE sees us all as Learners!)

The MIND page has a number of services, resources and networks you can access as part of the NHS and as a Student.

Click Here > to go to the HEE Mind page.

Examples of the services available are:

  • PSU (Professional Support Unit) Careers unit
  • Ill health at work
  • Return to work
  • ​2016 junior doctor’s contract
  • Financial guidance on tax, subscription exemptions and hardship resources
  • ​Parental leave
  • Coaching & Mentoring
  • Medical care and support
  • NHS England LGBT+ staff network
  • NHS England Black and Minority Ethnic Staff network
  • NHS England Disability and Wellbeing staff network
  • Carer support

It also has access to programmes and support for Trainees:

Click Here > Practitioner health programme
Free, confidential, self-referral service for trainees with mental or physical health concerns