GPR Allocation to Training Practices
Introduction
There is a balance between allowing trainee choice and giving trainers enough time to really meet prospective trainees.
As this is particularly difficult for GP placements for ST1 trainees who are new to the scheme, and possibly to Sheffield, the scheme will allocate ST1 trainees to practices.
Sources of Information
There is a file in the GPSTP office, which is available only to trainees, with feedback from those that have worked in the practices perviously.
The office staff remove all feedback after it has been in this file for 3 years so that out of date material is not left there.
Each practice has a practice profile, Form B and sample timetables on the website which is intended to provide information to the prospective trainees. (See Quick Links opposite).
Prospective trainees are also encouraged to talk to those that have been in the practice before, and to other colleagues who have been on the scheme for some time, to find out more about practices as well as going to visit them.
Visiting Practices
This is an opportunity for the trainee to see if a practice would fit with them and their needs, as well as for trainers to see if there is likely to be a fit of personalities, etc.
ST3 placements are organised by Linda in the GPSTP office. Each trainee is issued with a list of available vacancies and asked to rank in order of preference. Based on this information, each trainee is then allocated 3 practices to visit and again rank in order of preference by a given deadline date. If ranking information is not received by the deadline date, Linda will allocate trainees to placements based on the information which is available. The aim is to allocate as many trainees as possible to their first choice practice, but it is inevitable that some trainees will be allocated to lower ranked practices.
It is essential that trainees visit the practices all 3 practices they are allocated. The practices will be informed that you will contact them to arrange a meeting. Failure to make arrangements to visit would raise significant concerns about your professional integrity.
Please note that you cannot be allocated to the same practice for your ST1 and ST3 placements. It is also advixable not to return to a practice you worked at during your foundation training.
Doctors in Difficulty
Sometimes, by the time of allocation to either the first or the second post, concerns have been raised about a registrar and in this situation the Scheme will contact specific, experienced trainers and ask them to take on the registrar concerned. The scheme takes into account experience of the trainers and the needs of the registrar when doing this, and normally the Programme Directors will discuss this placement at a monthly meeting. We also consider how many registrars with difficulties that trainer and practice have had recently.