Len Valley Practice has a long history of being an accredited training practice. Dr Hagan was indeed himself a trainee at the practice under the now retired partner Dr Porter, nearly 15 years ago.

With the recent changes in training doctors in both general practice and hospital setting, I thought that you may appreciate an overview and how GPs are trained.

Students enter medical school usually after obtaining A-levels and study for between 5-6 years, depending on whether an additional research year is taken during the 5 year course. The usual form involves 2 ‘pre-clinical’ years (lectures and practical classrooms assessments with little patient involvement), followed by 3 ‘clinical’ years which are ward based, with regular assessments leading to the ‘finals.’

Successful students gain the qualification usually termed MB BS – representing Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery then enter a ‘Foundation Program.’ This is a two-year general training programme which forms the bridge between medical school and specialist/general practice training. Trainees will have the opportunity to gain experience in a series of placements in a variety of specialties and healthcare settings. Learning objectives for each stage will be specific and focused on demonstration of clinical competences.

Foundation Year 1 (F1)
The first year of the Foundation Programme builds upon the knowledge, skills and competences acquired in undergraduate training. The learning objectives for this year are set by the General Medical Council. In order to attain full registration with the GMC, doctors must achieve specific competences by the end of this year. In hospital these doctors used to be called ‘House Officers.’

Foundation Year 2 (F2)
The second year of the Foundation Programme builds on the first year of training. The F2 year main focus is on training in the assessment and management of the acutely ill patient. Training also encompasses the generic professional skills applicable to all areas of medicine - team work, time management, communication and IT skills. In hospital these doctors used to be called ‘Senior House Officers or SHOs.’

We will be training ‘F2’ doctors here at the practice this year from December. They will be become a member of the team at the practice for a 4 month period. It is important to remember that these training doctors are qualified and able to work as a general practitioner. They are supervised and tested regularly with numerous assessments taken throughout the year, with their training program overseen by Dr Reed.

GP Registrars (GPRs)
After the Foundation years, doctors can then embark on their chosen ‘speciality’ training either in general practice or in a hospital. The length of their specialty training depends on their chosen field, but within general practice, this requires a further 3 years. In hospital you may be familiar with the title of these doctors as ‘Registrars’. General Practice registrars with undertake various further hospital placements as well as 12 -18 months in general practice. They are rigouously assessed using various training methods, the most obvious to our patients are consultations which are being video-taped with the patient’s consent. Their training is more intensive and supervised by Dr Hagan in this practice.

Currently we are very lucky to have Dr Swathy Alexander within our team as the registrar. As well having the qualities of bread and butter general practice skills, she has a special interest in child health (Paediatrics), having specialised at the Royal London Hospital Medical School.

GPRs now have to obtain the professional postgraduate qualification newly entitled, after extensive recent reassessment, the nMRCGP (new Membership of the Royal College of General Practitioners), which previously was a voluntary qualification.

Other qualifications can be gained at any point after Foundation year training to help further doctors careers. You may recognise after some of our doctors names:

Videoing at Len Valley Practice

From time to time we like to record consultations with your consent. The videos are part of an assessment procedure for doctors who are seeking membership of the Royal College of General Practitioners, and who may also be undertaking an end-point assessment of their general practice training.

The videotape is ONLY of you and the doctor talking together. Intimate examinations will not be recorded and the camera will be switched off on request. All video recordings are carried out according to guidelines issued by the General Medical Council.

Only those persons who have legal access to your medical records will see the videotape and doctors and advisers involved in assessment. Its use will be limited to the assessment of the doctor whom you are consulting, and possibly for research, learning and teaching purposes, and quality control. The videotape will be stored in a locked cabinet and is subject to the same degree of confidentiality and security as medical records. The videotape will be erased as soon as practicable and in any event within three years.

The training doctor is responsible for the security and confidentiality of the videotape recording. If the videotape is to leave the practice premises it will be sent by Royal Mail Special Delivery or personal messenger.

You do not have to agree to your consultation with the doctor being recorded. If you want the camera turned off, please tell Reception - this is not a problem, and will not affect your consultation in any way. But if you do not mind your consultation being recorded, we are grateful to you. Improving the assessment of GPs should lead to a better service to patients. If you wish you may view the videotape recording.

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