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GP international induction programme

Induction (IIP) programme (for non-UK qualified GPs)

The International Induction (IIP) programme provides a safe, supported pathway for overseas qualified GPs to be inducted safely into NHS general practice.

The International Induction (IIP) programme is designed for General Practitioners (GPs) who have never previously worked in NHS general practice in the UK.

The IIP must be completed before GPs can be approved for full inclusion on to the All Wales Medical Performers List as an independent NHS general practitioner.

All GPs are required to be on the GMC GP Register with a Licence to Practise and the All Wales MPL.

 

Features of the programme

You will have access to a dedicated GP Educator and central administrative coordinator to help guide you through the process. They can provide support such as:

  • Developing a personal educational pathway suited to your needs
  • Coordinating the assessments that you must undertake
  • Finding an approved practice that is able to offer you a placement
  • Employment by NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership for the duration of the placement
  • Indemnity under the Welsh Risk Pool for the duration of the placement

Financial support is also available for candidates which includes:

  • Help with the “top up” element of indemnity
  • A salary that is equivalent to that of a GP ST3 (minus banding)
  • A one-off payment of up to £464 towards the costs of General Medical Council (GMC) Membership
  • Up to 4 fully funded attempts at the Multiple Choice Questionnaire (MCQ) assessment (subject to starting on the programme)
  • One year’s free associate membership to the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP)

All the available funding is only claimable upon commencing the programme

 

The International Induction (IIP) programme

Programme Pathways

The International Induction (IIP) programme has different routes available for applicants, depending on which country you are from.

Standard International Induction

The first route is for doctors who qualified as a GP overseas or in the European Economic Area (EEA) but who have never previously worked in the NHS as a GP. This includes:

  • EEA qualified doctors who will continue to have automatic recognition of qualifications
  • Doctors whose training has been recognised by the General Medical Council (GMC) and the doctor is included on the GMC GP register and have a Licence to Practise

You are required to undertake assessments, which include:

  • A Multiple Choice Questionnaire (MCQ), which consists of two papers, a Clinical Problem Solving MCQ and a Professional Dilemmas MCQ
  • A tailored clinical placement of up to 6 months (full time equivalent)

Overseas doctors with non-EEA qualifications must apply to the GMC for a Certificate of Eligibility for recognition as a GP first before applying for the IIP programme.

 

Recognised Specialist Qualification

If you trained and qualified as a general practitioner in Australia, New Zealand or Canada, you may be eligible to make an application for GP registration through the recognised specialist qualification (RSQ) pathway.

The RSQ pathway allows doctors whose qualification is included in the General Medical Council (GMC) list of recognised qualifications to apply directly for GP registration.

You can find out whether your qualification is on the list of recognised specialist qualifications and whether you fulfil the further requirements (where stipulated) on the GMC website.

Once you are ready to apply, you make your application to the GMC online and attach your evidence.

 

Registering for the International Induction programme

You should register your interest in completing the IIP programme by completing the online application form - https://forms.office.com/e/es6R9ZgQS8

This will be received automatically by the GP training school in HEIW who will register your application with the local GP Associate Dean (AD) for the area in which you wish to carry out your placement.

The local GP AD will contact you to arrange a review of your needs, based on your circumstances and previous experience.

Following the review, the local GP AD will then be able to advise you on the next steps of the programme. Your pathway may include:

  • Approval to apply for the Multiple Choice Questionnaire (MCQ assessment
  • Undertaking a supported clinical placement in an approved GP practice
  • Completing e-learning modules on Adult and Child Safeguarding (Level 3)

 

Multiple Choice Questionnaire (MCQ) Assessment

Once we inform the GP NRO that you are required to sit the MCQ, you may register to sit the MCQ in a UK based Pearson Vue test centre or an approved overseas test centre.

The MCQ assessment must be passed for entry to the programme, and up to four attempts are permitted.

Further information on the MCQ can be found here

 

Clinical Placements

To undertake a clinical placement the doctor must have:

  • An appropriate learning needs assessment with the local GP Associate Dean
  • Passed the MCQ assessment with a Band 3 or above
  • Full GMC registration
  • Be on the GMC GP register with a current Licence to Practise
  • If you do not hold Rights of Residence in the UK, you will need to hold a Health and Care Worker visa
  • Completed Basic Life Support training
  • Completed e-learning modules on Safeguarding Adults and Children (Level 3)
  • Be included on the All-Wales Medical Performers List
  • Have completed the Single Lead Employer pre-employment checks and be cleared to work
  • Taken out “top up” medical indemnity for the duration of the placement

 

Workplace based assessments (WPBAs) will inform the final recommendation by the local GP Associate Dean to the local Health Board about the doctor’s clinical ability, and this will inform the decision regarding unconditional inclusion on the All Wales MPL.

Gathering information for the WPBA needs to be planned from the outset, and discussing the contents of the end of placement report would be a useful topic for discussion between the doctor and their ES in the first few days of the placement.

The doctor is required to demonstrate their competence under a range of headings including the following:

  1. Clinical expertise
    1. History and examination
    2. Clinical management
    3. Investigations
    4. Urgent care
  2. Communication and teamwork
    1. Consultation and communication skills
    2. Teamworking skills
  3. Professionalism
    1. Professional integrity
    2. Primary care administration and record keeping
    3. Understanding NHS systems and community orientation
    4. Organisation and planning
    5. Learning and development

 

The GP ES is asked to carry out specified assessments such as recorded videos and case-based discussions, as well as completing a trainer's report. This is so that they can provide evidence of the doctor making progress towards demonstrating their competence.

 

Duration of Placements

The duration of the placement is guided by the educational needs assessment that has taken place, such as the structured interview with the local GP Associate Dean and/or the Multiple Choice Questionnaire.

Any particular educational needs that have been identified will be drawn to the attention of the Educational Supervisor by the local GP Associate Dean. This will be discussed with the doctor returning to general practice and will form part of the educational plan for their placement.

 

Starting at the practice

The doctor’s first few days at the practice will take the form of an induction during which they will need to familiarise themselves with how the practice operates, computer systems, and medical geography, amongst other aspects.

It would also be appropriate to do some “sitting in”, observing other doctors and practice nurses in consultations, and attend practice meetings. The purpose of all this is to help the doctor understand the practice ethos, the role, and responsibility of other NHS team members in the practice.

 

Completing the programme

To successfully complete the International Induction (IIP) programme and be eligible to apply for unconditional inclusion on the All Wales MPL, there are a number of requirements:

  • A satisfactory workplace-based assessment (WPBA) report
  • Completed the mandatory e-Learning for Health modules on Safeguarding Children and Adults (Level 3)
  • Submitted videos of consultations to be assessed by your trainer and a trainer external to the practice, if required to do so