Trainers
Becoming a GP Trainer in Wales
GP Trainers, also known as GP Educational Supervisors (GP ES) support GP trainees in their education and development. The Prospective Trainers Course (PTC) aims to equip participants with the necessary skills, attitudes and competencies to effectively support and educate GP trainees.
We approve GP Trainers and GP training practices on behalf of the General Medical Council (GMC) and provide the GMC with details of all approved trainers and training practices. Approved GP Trainers in Wales can provide clinical and educational supervision to GP trainees. Further information on the approval and monitoring of GP Trainers and GP training practices in Wales can be found in our trainer criteria.
Outline of the GP Educator Pathway
Our trainer journey demonstrates the application process for prospective GP training practices and trainers.
Eligibility for enrolment on to the GP Prospective Trainers Course (PTC)
We have a duty to ensure that there is an appropriate balance between new trainers successfully completing the PTC and the need for more trainers and training practices in a particular scheme area. We invite applications from prospective trainers and new training practices in the Spring via NWSSP Primary Care Services who will send out the email to all GP Practices on our behalf. HEIW does not hold a waiting list for places on the Prospective Trainers’ Course.
GP Trainers in Wales will be expected to have the skills, attitudes and competencies to be able to deliver adequately for this demanding role.
To be eligible to enrol on the PTC, General Practitioners must:
- Meet the essential eligibility criteria to undertake the PTC.
- Successfully complete the modules and assessments that form the PTC.
- If the practice is not a current training practice, they will be visited by a local Programme Director before they can be allocated to an upcoming PTC.
- If a GP Trainer from another part of the UK moves to Wales, and wishes to continue as a Trainer, they would be interviewed by the local Associate Dean (AD) to assess whether they need to attend some or all of the Wales PTC. Consideration will be given to the timing and content of their initial PTC, and when they were most recently the nominated ES for a trainee (if three years have elapsed, they will be deemed to be a lapsed trainer). They will need to provide evidence of their recent experience as an Educational Supervisor, along with the name of their previous AD or TPD who is willing to provide a reference. If they are moving to a non-training practice, the standard requirements will have to be met.
Prospective Trainers Course
The PTC modules are split between online modules and face to face meetings. The modules will cover a range of topics such as:
- Medical Education (Lesson planning, learning styles, assessment, reflective practice etc).
- Workplace Based Assessment (Care assessment tool, case-based discussions, consultation observation tool, multi-source feedback, prescribing assessment etc.
- RCGP Curriculum and ARCPs. - Trainees support, the professional support unit and exam support.
In modules 2 and 3 assessments are included in
- Tutorial planning and delivery
- Reflection task
- COT and CBD
Upcoming intake for the Prospective Trainers course
The number of courses that we run each year depends on the current need for new training practices and the need to replace trainers or to have more trainers in existing training practices. Generally, courses are run in the autumn and approved in time for the following February intake and in the Spring in time for the following August intake. The expressions of interest form will be available on the website in the Spring and practices will be notified via Health Boards when it is live on our website. We will also use our social media networks to advertise that the window for applications is open.
Courses generally take place in South Wales. However, if there are enough North Wales applicants the course organisers will consider running a course in North Wales.
If there is an urgent need for extra trainer/s outside of the recruitment window we have an exception criterion.
Standards for GP Training
Doctors in postgraduate GP speciality training (GPST) complete 24 months in general practice (GP) in their 36-month GP training programme.
All doctors wishing to become GP Trainers who do not have the Membership of the Royal College of General Practitioners (MRCGP) must demonstrate that they are eligible for membership i.e. they have been in practice for 5 years and have successfully revalidated.
During the time a GP trainee is in a hospital training post, they have clinical supervisors who oversee their work in each department. However, each GP trainee also has an Educational Supervisor who is a GP Trainer and who oversees their progress throughout the three years of GP Speciality Training.
Prospective GP Trainers are expected to meet the standards set out by the General Medical Council and the Gold Guide - 9th Edition - Conference Of Postgraduate Medical Deans (copmed.org.uk). GP Trainers should be actively engaged in personal development.
Educational Supervisors also need to work in GMC approved clinical learning environments that are supportive, well organised and have good protocols for clinical governance.
During the application window the documents needed to apply to become a GP Trainer/Training practice will be listed here.
Our FAQs below may help you with any queries you have. Alternatively, please contact us – heiw.gptraining@wales.nhs.uk
Frequently Asked Questions
Documents