Training Programme

NHSE Thames Valley will send you a conditional offer letter two months before you are due to start your training. This includes the Form R which you must complete to register onto the GP training programme and so that we can issue your National Training Number (NTN).

You will then be able to register with the Royal College of General Practioners (RCGP) as an Associate in Training (AiT) and set up your trainee portfolio.

The new FourteenFish Portfolio was introduced to all Thames Valley trainees in September 2020. The new portfolio is more intuitive and allows evidence to be gathered much more easily and the requirements are much more clear.

If you are having problems with the Portfolio, then please click ‘help’ at the bottom right of the screen when you are logged in to the Portfolio.

For STI and ST2 trainees

Please do not apply to the Performers List at this stage.  Due to the Covid-19 amendment to the Performers List Regulations, GPRs are not required to be on the Performers List whilst in training.  This is a temporary amendment however it is anticipated that upcoming changes to the Regulations will make this permanent.

For ST3 trainees

As you may be aware, you are required to be included in the English Medical Performers List to work independently in NHS general medical practice. Your name may already be included on the List as arrangements may previously have been made for your inclusion on the List either before you started training or whilst you were in training.  You can check if your name is already on the Performers List here Search – Performers List for England. 

If your name is not already included on the List you will need to make an application to join it.

For those GP trainees expecting to CCT before 31 August 2022 you should make your application as soon as possible and it will be prioritised to enable you to progress your career as an independent qualified GP.  

For those GP trainees qualifying after this date you should submit your application to join the list no later than 3 months prior to CCT. If the application is started too late, it may result in you not being able to work as an independent qualified GP.  

You can start your PCSE Online application form here PCSS: Login (england.nhs.uk)   An application user guide, including information on how to register for an account and a list of documentation you need to upload as part of the application process, can be found here Performer List Applicant Guide (adobe.com)

Once you have your CCT, please log into PCSE Online and change your status to GP Performer.  Further details of now to do this can be found here: General enquiries – Primary Care Support England

This section is to ensure that GP trainees are aware of the specific requirements and resources available for their Annul Review of Competency Progression (ARCP). Information and guidance on the ARCP process can be found on the main HEETV ARCP page, and should be read in conjunction with this page.

What happens on your ARCP video can be found here.

Specific GP evidence and documents required for ARCP are in addition to the documents stated on the main HEETV ARCP page. The ARCP is a fundamental part of GP training. It is used to review each trainee’s progress throughout their training and decide on an outcome. To have an ARCP you must have completed an up-to-date educational supervisors report (ESR) and Form R (to be saved in the compliance passport area of the portfolio).

You will have an ARCP at least once per year. If you are less than full time (LTFT) or have had some statutory leave, it is possible you will have more than one ARCP per year as we will need to review your evidence when you transition from ST1-2 and ST2-3, as well as on an annual basis. Between ARCPs, you will be expected to do at least one more ESR (likely to change to interim (shorter) ESR in August).

Your next ARCP date should be visible in the top right of your portfolio so please make sure all evidence is submitted 2 weeks before this date. If you think this ARCP date may be wrong, please contact the GP team.

The ARCP panel look at all the evidence that is located in the trainee portfolio.

For the exact requirements for GP training, you should frequently refer to the RCGP website.

Do not forget that to complete your GP training you will need to pass a tripos of assessments. You must continually engage with workplace-based assessments (WPBA), and pass both the applied knowledge test (AKT) and clinical skills Assessment (CSA) exam.

All LTFT applications should be sent by trainees to the GP LTFT team in Thames Valley to

england.gpltfttv.se@nhs.net

Applications will be considered for LTFT as per the examples given in the Gold Guide 10^th Edition (August 2024). 

There are two application windows per year, applications need to be received 16 weeks prior to the rotation change over.

Application window for February 2025 will open on 1st October 2024 and close on the 31stOctober 2024. 

If you wish to download LTFT policy please click here.

https://www.hee.nhs.uk/our-work/doctors-training/delivering-greater-flexibility

LTFT applications overseen by the Thames Valley GP School. The GP school generally allocates LTFT based on availability. For all secondary care posts and for ST1/2 we will allocate mainly at 60% and slot share, to enable ease of placements and availability. ST3 posts in general practice allow us more flexibility and generally will be at 60% or 80% based on placement and supervisor availability. There will be exceptions to this rule, particularly those in which occupational health have recommended specific percentages or below 60%. These will need individual discussion with the educator team and Head of School, Dr Manjiri Bodhe.

The GP school requires minimum 3 month notice of this and trainees shouldn’t expect to start immediately after application unless exceptional circumstances have been discussed with the Head of school.

If trainee starts a LTFT or change in percentage post (particularly an increase in percentage) please note training time may not reflect this if the team have not been informed and have agreed to this in a timely fashion. We wish to try and accommodate our GP trainees but pressures on placements and increasing applications for LTFT mean that we are having to limit the offering.

Application for LTFT training form can be found here.

If already on LTFT and wish change in percentage, the 3-month rule and above still applies.

The change in percentage form can be found here.

All completed application should be sent to england.gpltfttv.se@nhs.net

New Study leave policy whilst in GP Placement can be found here.

Study Leave Funding Application Form

To find FAQ on MPS Additional Trainee Indemnity Insurance please click here.

To find Thames Valley OOH Guidance and Policy for Trainees and Trainers please click here.

Trainees considering applying for OOP should read the GP policy statement first.

General OOP Guidance and the Application Form are available here