GP Trainees

  

  

Introduction to VTS Scheme

Vocational Training for General Practice can presently be undertaken as part of Specialty run through training. There are three-year centrally appointed posts which include 18 months rotating through 3 6-month approved posts in a hospital environment followed by 18 months in General Practice. 2007 has seen innovative changes to the GP curriculum and plans for the modernisation of training in all specialties including General Practice support the development of more programmes of training such as the three-year GP scheme.

Past and Future MMC changes

Aims

The aim of the scheme is to produce a doctor who on completion of training will be able to provide personal and continuing care to individuals and families in the community. She/he will also have the management skills relative to primary care and be able to audit their work with a view to improving performance. The doctor will understand the importance of continuing their medical education, be competent to pass the membership examination of the Royal College of General Practitioners (nMRCGP).

The Scheme

The 18 months of hospital training are spent in 3 six-month hospital posts. The hospitals taking part in the scheme are:

  • Altnagelvin Area Hospital (A & E, General Medicine, Paediatrics, O & G Clinics, Eye and ENT, Psychiatry-Gransha Hospital)

  • Mater Infirmorum Hospital (General Medicine, O & G, A & E, Psychiatry, Paediatrics - RBHSC)

  • Antrim Area Hospital (General Medicine including Care of the Elderly, A & E, Paediatrics, O & G, Psychiatry - Holywell Hospital)

  • Royal Group of Hospitals (General Medicine, Care of the Elderly,  A & E, Paediatrics, O & G, Psychiatry - Knockbracken H.C.P.)

  • Causeway Hospitals (General Medicine, A & E / Surgery, Paediatrics, O & G, Psychiatry - Causeway & Holywell)

  • Ulster Hospital (General Medicine, A & E, Paediatrics, O & G, Psychiatry)

  • Daisy Hill Hospital (General Medicine, A & E / Surgery, Paediatrics, O & G, Psychiatry)

  • Craigavon Area Hospital (General Medicine including Care of the Elderly, Paediatrics, O & G, Psychiatry - St Luke”’’s Armagh)

  • Belfast City Hospital (A & E, Psychiatry, General Medicine, Nephrology, O & G, Paediatrics)

  • Erne Hospital (A&E/Surgery, General Medicine, Psychiatry - South Tyrone & Fermanagh Hospital)

The choice of hospital and the hospital posts in rotation will be taken by the doctor concerned, governed by availability. In the event of any hospital being over-subscribed appointments will be made on the basis of rank ordering of candidates in the process. This will be decided as soon after the interviews as possible.

Throughout the three years, the doctor will be supported by the local Programme Director who organises training sessions for the GPSt1 &GPSt2 trainees in the half day release course and in General Practices. In addition, programme directors organise regional Core Days for all GPSt1 & GPSt2 trainees in Northern Ireland. 

Northern Ireland has seven centres where the Programme Directors are based: Altnagelvin, Antrim, Belfast City, Craigavon, Erne, Ulster and The Mater and Royal Victoria Hospitals.

St3

Each year the GP Department delivers a training programme for 65 GP St3 doctors, solely based in a GP Training practice.

Two of these hold Research posts – their training lasts for two years instead of one year and they are based in a specified Research Practice. To qualify as a GP the GPStR’s must pass the nMRCGP exam.

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