{"id":55,"date":"2025-01-29T14:15:52","date_gmt":"2025-01-29T14:15:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beingloucestershire.net\/gp\/?page_id=55"},"modified":"2025-06-11T13:06:39","modified_gmt":"2025-06-11T13:06:39","slug":"be-a-gp","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.beingloucestershire.net\/gp\/be-a-gp\/","title":{"rendered":"Be a GP"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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If you are looking to reinvigorate your work life and explore which direction would work for you, opportunities in Gloucestershire can help you undertake a diverse, interesting and stimulating career that allows you to use all the valuable skills you have developed over the years.

Many mid-career GPs have told us that they value strong leadership, a supportive practice team and opportunities to develop their career and to specialise, along with options for flexible working to ensure a good work\/life balance. Here are some of the ways you can experience this in Gloucestershire.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Leadership and support<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Primary care in Gloucestershire is nationally admired for the strong and proactive leadership, training and career development support it receives through NHS Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board (ICB), Gloucestershire Local Medical Committee (LMC) and the Gloucestershire Primary Care Training Hub (PCTH). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many local GPs are actively engaged and empowered to drive improvements for communities and directly influence improvements in patient care and experience. They are widely represented across the healthcare system, including as local leaders in Primary Care Networks and Integrated Locality Partnerships, as members on the Integrated Care Board and the LMC, and as GP representatives on clinical programme groups. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

GPs also play a key role in supporting the development of plans for the future provision of primary care in the county, including Gloucestershire\u2019s five-year primary care strategy.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Training and career development<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Many practices welcome GPs with special interests or are happy to support them in developing their interests. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some GPs in Gloucestershire have additional expertise enabling them to work as a GP with Extended Role (GPwER) – the new term for GP with Special Interest (GPwSI). The local Spark programme (for newly qualified GPs) also enables GPs to explore wider roles without any prior experience. Gloucestershire\u2019s Primary Care Training Hub offers training and opportunities for the development of special interests and portfolio working.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are also opportunities to develop clinical leadership skills through courses run by the Primary Care Training Hub and ICB in conjunction with the South West Leadership Academy, such as Leading Effectively in Primary Care Networks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Primary Care Training Hub supports multiple fellowships and schemes. NHS England Fellowship opportunities vary from year to year, previously including topics such as Public Health, Population Health Management, leadership, education, green sustainability and care of the elderly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Local fellowships have included health inequality, population health and GP Partnerships.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Flexible working options<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Many Gloucestershire practices offer flexible working opportunities to GPs, including term time only contracts or work during school hours as examples. Other GPs have part-time, flexible session arrangements which can include working different sessions (shorter or longer than the traditional 4-hour 10 minutes) to fit personal circumstances. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Extended access clinics across Primary Care Networks also provide opportunities for later shifts, which can appeal to GPs who like to work in the evening, perhaps when they may have family members or others who can support with childcare. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Health and wellbeing support<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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The ICB, Primary Care Training Hub and LMC are passionate about doing all they can to support the health and wellbeing of practice teams in recognition of the pressures faced by primary care staff and increasing patient demand for GP services. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Confidential one-to-one peer support with an experienced local GP, who is a qualified coach and mentor, is available to every GP. This provides a safe space to discuss concerns and receive support for any difficulty including mental health, confidence issues, career transition or adverse experiences in practice at any career stage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This support can also be helpful for GPs returning after a career break, changing their role or employment status, and returning to work from maternity or paternity leave or an extended period of leave for any other reason.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our local Wellbeing Line also offers mental health and wellbeing support for anyone working in health and social care in Gloucestershire whilst \u2018Time For You\u2019 group sessions can help anyone affected by life events, stress or transitions.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Communication and clinical information support<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We understand that a GP career can be varied and exciting, with some unexpected challenges and opportunities along the way, and we are committed to supporting practices and their staff members.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both the ICB and the LMC communicate with practices regularly via informative primary care bulletins. The Primary Care Training Hub website is also an invaluable resource for all Primary Care staff, with quick links to services, resources and support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We have a bespoke online point of clinical reference for Gloucestershire clinicians (G-care) which includes patient pathways, referral forms, service information (including the nationally recognised social prescribing offer which includes link workers in primary care), and helpful information for patients. Meanwhile, an engaged and helpful primary care team within the ICB is always on hand to support practices with a host of practice issues. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Regular meetings at practice and network level are held, providing opportunities to share ideas and engage with colleagues and NHS and social care partners.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Greener Primary Care<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Creating a \u2018greener\u2019 environment is an important theme that is intrinsic across the county. This is reflected in primary care, where the links between patient health and climate health are a priority for many practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A network of GP practices across Gloucestershire are leading the way nationally in their efforts to support the Greener Impact for Health initiative.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n

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Watch<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Find out more about working in Gloucestershire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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