GP Training
The Scheme aims to help registrars acquire the knowledge, skills and attributes required for modern General Practice. We encourage participants to take responsibility for their own learning in training posts and GPSTP groups.
The scheme offers a wide variety of hospital posts and general practice placements. Half-day and day release programmes on Thursdays complement these.
In Sheffield there are 2 pathways for training in General Practice which are commonly followed by GP trainees:
Full-time Training
The scheme offers 3 year rotations for doctors which comprise 18 months of training in GP and 18 months in hospital placements. Half our ST1 rotations start with 6 months in GP followed by 6 months in a hospital post and the other half start with 6 months in a hospital post followed by 6 months in GP.
Vacant rotations are advertised annually in November/December via the National Recruitment Office for GP Training website, and selection centres are held in February/March to start training in August.
Less Than Full Time Training
Less Than Full Time (LTFT) training, previously called flexible or part-time training, is a well established feature of the Sheffield Scheme. Doctors choose LTFT training for a variety of reasons, including family commitments or health reasons.
Training may extend over 6 or 7 years and current regulations are that LTFT training is at 50% of whole time in ST1 and 2 with the option to increase to 60% in ST3.
Trainees wishing to change from full to LTFT training must initially notify the Sheffield GPSTP Office and submit an application form to the South Yorkshire Office of the Yorkshire and the Humber Deanery. Full information is available on the Deanery website at:
www.yorksandhumberdeanery.nhs.uk/general_practice/trainees/part_time_training.aspx
We have a few trainers/training practices which specialise in taking LTFT trainees. Please note however that these trainers are themselves LTFT, and so work on certain days of the week. This can mean that for your first GP placement, where there may only be one LTFT training vacancy available, there is less flexiblity on which days of the week you will be working.
Hospital posts can be arranged in most specialties. These will be slot share posts where there are vacant full time hospital posts available, or a supernumerary post arranged via the South Yorkshire Office.
If you require any more information about part time training, please contact Danielle Oxley at the South Yorkshire Office on 0114 226 4409 or
email : danielle.oxley@yorksandhumber.nhs.uk
Please note the following:
- Slot shares of vacant full time hospital training posts are the default and will always be offered rather than a supernumerary post (organised by the Deanery) where possible.
- There is a significant drop in salary for a supernumerary post as there is no banding.
- There is no guarantee you will get the rotation you were originally offered.
- No less than 50% of full time in ST1 and ST2, 50% or 60% possible in ST3.
- LTFTT does not mean flexible, ie you may have to fit in with the normal start times of the team in hospital or GP, and may have to be in the practice on specific days if that is needed for practice reasons (tutorial day LTFT trainer, etc.)
- NB - RCGP and ePortfolio requirements for evidence - COT/CBD, etc – are not pro rata, requirement is same as for a full time trainee www.rcgp-curriculum.org.uk/nmrcgp/less_than_full_time_trainees/msf__psq.aspx
- LTFT trainees are not allowed to do any other work outside of their training posts (ie no locum work).
- You are expected to give as much notice as possible, minimum of 3 months notice, of your intention to return to full time training. (Please bear in mind that ST1 rotations to start training in August are finalised and advertised in December of the previous year.)
- ST3 placement is normally at one practice. Should you wish to request a change to a different practice, please refer to the LTFT ST3 Trainee Request to Transfer Practice document in the Downlaods section opposite.
- A personal organiser/smart phone or similar as organisation is paramount for LTFTT trainees.
- Study leave and annual leave are pro-rata.