HEE announces big jump in numbers accepted for GP training

There has been an increase in the number of trainees who have been accepted for the third round of GP training in 2015

The total number of acceptances is 180 which is nearly four times last year’s figure of 47. Overall GP fill rates are up 2% from just over 87 per cent to in 2014 to nearly 89 per cent in 2015. That is nearly 100 more places filled than last year.

Professor Simon Gregory, Director and Dean of Education and Quality, Midlands and East said:

We are pleased to see the increase in the number of acceptances onto GP training. this year. This shows us that GP is still a career that people want to pursue.

It is a great platform from which to continue our work to increase GP numbers. Figures have improved in nearly all areas across the country, we have a 100% success rate in four regions including Kent, Surrey and Thames Valley. However, we know that there is more to do in parts of the country where attracting GPs continues to be a challenge. This is something that we will focus our efforts on over the coming months.

Kym Merritt GP registrar, GP Ambassador for Health Education England said:

Being a GP is a fantastic career choice. What other job can reward you with making a real difference to the lives of people from the very young to the elderly?

It involves dealing with everything from a chest infection to supporting a family when they have lost a loved one. You are everything from listener to educator, general practice really does offer so much.

For me the role is exciting, rewarding, varied, unpredictable, emotional and challenging but amazing. It really is the best job in the world.

Minister for General Practice, Alistair Burt, said:

It is really encouraging to see more doctors joining general practice. GPs play a vital role in our health service and I hear all the time how varied and exciting the job is. A big well done to everyone involved in this recruitment process, but I'm very aware we need to continue to promote the general practice, and bring in far more GPs - more GPs mean a better service for patients and less stress for GPs.

Other work which is helping to increase the attractiveness of GP as a career includes; increased flexibility in training through Step on, Step off training opportunities. There is also a scheme called PST GP which gives junior doctors who are still considering general practice as a career, the opportunity to work for a year in one area, learn what a GP career has to offer, and acquire the skills to succeed at selection and form a firm basis for their on-going career.

Schemes such as Induction and Refresher (I&R) are helping to attract more GPs back into practice. This provides a single point of entry for GPs who are looking to join or return to the NHS was refreshed this year and now provides a much easier route to general practice.

Under the new scheme, once accepted, applicants will be eligible for bursary funding of up to £2,300 per month for a full-time placement and additional funding may also be available for relocation to some areas of England. To help applicants through the scheme, a consistent local point of contact will be on hand every step of the way.

Since its establishment in 2013, HEE has invested more in GP training by increasing the number of posts available. We spend nearly £500 million a year on GP training. We will be working closely with NHS England to provide 5,000 more doctors in general practice by 2020.

Using the framework of the ten point plan we are working with partners including The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) and the BMA GPs committee (GPC) to increase numbers of GPs and make sure we have a skilled, trained and motivated workforce.

This work focuses on three key areas: improving recruitment into general practice; retaining doctors within general practice; and supporting those who wish to return to general practice.