Organising a part-time GP registrar timetable – from Deanery Handbook on Flexible training.

 

GP registrars (GPR) must work at least 50% of full-time and work at least one week full-time during their general practice placement. The timetable should be based on what a full-time GPR works in the SAME practice. The general practice component of any part-time training must include one period of full-time employment lasting at least a week. 

The JCPTGP require the part-time GPR to work the same percentage of clinical sessions, educational sessions and out of hours (OOHs). The GPR cannot reduce the number of clinical sessions but continue with a 100% of educational activities. At the end of their GPR part-time training period they should have completed the same amount of training as a full-time GPR.

For the purposes of this guidance one session equates to 4 hours and a full-time working week comprises 10 sessions (COGPED guidance), which equates to 40 hours per week plus OOHs. 

Full-time GPRs are expected to undertake:

  • 7 clinical sessions
  • 1 session to attend the VTS
  • 1 flexible planned educational session
  • 1 session for a tutorial

The timetable will vary according to local arrangements e.g. full-day VTS, but it is important GPRs get sufficient clinical experience. Although a session should be 4 hours it is recognized that some sessions may be longer while others shorter, but the overall full-time working week should be 40 hours plus OOHs. GPRs and trainers should therefore look at the total workload/hours rather than the hours of an individual session.

VTS course organisers like GPRs to attend every week to avoid disruption. A part-time GPR could choose to attend every week for a year and then do other activities for the remainder of their training. If they want to continue going to the VTS it should be at the expense of other educational activities e.g. the flexible session. For example a GPR working 50% might choose to go to the VTS during term time and have their flexible session during the academic holidays. Some degree of flexibility around educational activities is acceptable providing it is at the appropriate percentage and supports the GPR’s learning needs.

Dr Anne Hastie must approve timetables and a finishing date will be calculated by the Deanery.