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Targeted support proposed for struggling GP trainees

Struggling GP trainees are to be offered targeted support under proposals confirmed by Health Education England (HEE).

Struggling GP trainees are to be offered targeted support under proposals confirmed by Health Education England (HEE).


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GP trainees who previously failed to complete entry requirements to attain GP registration are to be given targeted training and support, HEE confirmed.

Requirements

Aspiring GPs must attend medical school, undertake foundation training and then have GP specialty training before taking a series of examinations – including a virtual role play consultation and a multiple choice questionnaire.

These tests, as well as a workplace-based assessment, are required for the Membership of the Royal College of General Practitioners (MRCGP) qualification.

In exceptional circumstances, those who have failed to pass the Clinical Skills Assessment or Applied Knowledge Test on four previous attempts are permitted a fifth go.

HEE proposals would see those who have failed one of these tests in the current time frame given 'targeted GP training'.

Consultations

The proposals would require a change in the current number of attempts currently permitted by the Royal College of GPs (RCGP), HEE said.

During the consultation process, the RCGP expressed concerns that allowing doctors to re-sit exams repeatedly, increases the chance of a 'random pass', which poses a risk to patient safety.

But HEE stressed that it is not proposing unlimited re-sits, but that it is proposing increased support before a resit.

It said that its proposals would enable the re-entry to training for those who were progressing in training, but were unable to pass one part out of three for the MRCGP qualification in the time permitted.

HEE said that the standards of the MRCGP are well proven and will be maintained.

Commenting on the announcement, Helen Stokes-Lampard, chair of the RCGPs, said: 'The college is open to any proposal that intends to safely increase the number of GPs practising in UK general practice – and we have co-operated fully and positively with HEE and others throughout this consultation process.

Recommendations

But important recommendations from the college, such as a set time frame for the proposals, are not outlined clearly enough in this report, and will need to be addressed.'

The proposals will also see doctors in other fields offered an easier route into general practice.

Dean of education and quality for HEE Midlands and east Simon Gregory said: 'We are grateful to the many people and organisations that responded to our consultation.

'The resulting amended proposals which we publish today offer a number of routes to support doctors to enter and successfully complete GP training while maintaining the gold standard of MRCGP as exit criteria. In particular, this would help doctors who are progressing in training, but not able to do so sufficiently in the time allowed.'


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