The Practice is actively involved in the training of future General Practitioners, Student Nurses and Receptionists.

Training Status

The Practice has been involved in teaching and training for many years and has a proud record for educating health professionals at both undergraduate and postgraduate level. Historically, we have offered placements for registrar level doctors undertaking training to become GPs and this remains a key part of our training work.  These doctors are normally with us for 6 to 12 months and, in some cases, might be involved in alternating through other posts during their training period.

However, we also host doctors who have qualified more recently and are in their second year of foundation training. Some of these doctors plan to become GPs, but for others, it is a good opportunity to experience working in primary care as part of a broader range of experience before starting specific training in another specialty.  In addition to qualified doctors, we are pleased to host medical students and also students from other affiliated professions, such as clinical pharmacy.

In the future, we are hoping to become part of a larger programme to support the education of practice nurses as well.  This is another vital part of supporting and educating front line clinical staff to offer the best care for patients. In fact, our patients have been an incredibly helpful group to support our efforts and some have volunteered to take part in other initiatives, such as simulated surgeries for doctors being offered further postgraduate training assessments.

The main postgraduate trainers in the surgery are Drs Acey, Lawther and Eaton, but most of the regular GPs offer support to learners at all levels.  We have a very good success rate for educating colleagues and will be looking forward to continuing this for many years to come.

Medical Students

Medical students in their 3rd, 4th and final year of training are regularly attached to the Practice from Newcastle University. You may be asked if you would mind seeing and talking to a student prior to your appointment with the doctor. You will then see the Doctor who will involve the student in the resulting discussion of your problem. The students are only involved in a minority of appointments and if you prefer not to see them, your wishes will be respected.

GP Registrars

GP Registrars are fully qualified Doctors who have completed their hospital training and are about to embark on a career in General Practice. Such are the demands in family medicine these days that all Doctors who wish to become GPs have to do a further 3 years training after their time in hospital. Of this, a year is spent specifically in General Practice. Unlike students, they are attached to the Practice full time for a 12 month period. They are expected to share in the duties of the Practice including on call duties and out of hours. They conduct surgeries on their own although there will always be a partner available to advise the Registrar. On occasions the Registrar will video record consultations. This is for training purposes only and you will be informed of this when you check in for your appointment. There will be a form to sign before you see the doctor and again afterwards. You are free to withdraw your consent at any time or ask for the camera to be switched off. The form will tell you who may see the recording. No intimate physical examinations will be recorded. The recording will be erased after use.

Student Nurses

Student Nurses who are studying at University are attached to the practice for a two week rotation. They will observe Nursing Clinics only with your permission.

Receptionists

Students studying at college require placements within General Practice to obtain an understanding of the services and task that will be expected of them when qualified.

Audit

The local Health Authority requests information as part of quality control of our medical services.