ScotGP Retain and Sustain
If you're looking for a safe, protected environment in which to maintain your GP skills allowing you to thrive in General Practice in the future, we have a range of resources to support your career journey.
If you're a Retained GP, discover the support available to you by following the link below.
Are you a Supervisor, Mentor or GP Practice? We have collated a library of tools for you to support GPs stay and thrive in general practice in Scotland. Follow the link below to browse these practical tools.
Explore the ScotGP Retain and Sustain Programme with tailored information and resources that offer practical, accessible support to strengthen and sustain the GP workforce.
- What is ScotGP Retain and Sustain?
- Health Board Handbook
- Who Can Apply?
- What Educational Support Is Provided?
- What Does a Typical Working Week Look Like?
- How Do I Apply?
- Employment as a Retained GP
- Benefits of ScotGP Retain and Sustain
- Next Steps
If you have any questions or comments about this resource, please contact the ScotGP Retain and Sustain Team at: nes.gpretainandsustain2@nhs.scot.
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What is ScotGP Retain and Sustain?
The GP Retainer Scheme was reviewed and updated in 2025 to make it a more flexible and attractive retention option for GPs in Scotland, at all stages of their careers, who are at risk of leaving general practice.
The updated programme has a new name - ScotGP Retain and Sustain.
The programme is intended to accommodate a variety of personal circumstances, as described in the "Who Can Apply' section.
Seasonal allowances include:
- Retained GPs can work between 2 to 4 sessions per week under the programme.
- GP Practices will only be reimbursed for a maximum of 4 clinical sessions per week.
- Retained GPS may also be permitted to undertake GP locum work or out-of-hourse work (up to 2 sessions per week) in addition to their ScotGP Retain and Sustain sessions.
- Additional no-GP sessions may be allowed (up to a maximum of 6 sessions a week), depending on individual circumstances and the Educational Prescription agreed with the Associate Advisor (e.g. family planning services, teaching/training, research etc).
Session Length:
- The standard session length will be 4 hours and 10 minutes, aligning with a standard salaried GP contract.
- Shorter 3.5 hour sessions will be allowed, based on individual circumstances and agreed upon with the Retainer Advisor and GP Practice.
Length of Programme:
- The maximum duration for the programme is 5 years, with the potential to extend to 6 years if the Retained GP has taken time off for statutory reasons, such as maternity leave, and has ongoing support needs.
Health Board Handbook
Who Can Apply?
A GP may be eligible for the scheme if they:
- Are at high risk of leaving General Practice or have left General Practice but remain on the GP Performer's List, due to personal reasons such as:
- Caring responsibilities (children or adults)
- Personal health reasons
- Approaching retirement and considering leaving the workforce
- Needing greater flexibility to take on work either within or outside General Practice
- Are unable to meet their need for flexibility through a regular part-time GP role.
- Require educational support (e.g., for annual appraisal) or mentoring to maintain professional development.
- Hold full GMC registration and are on the GP Performers List.
- Are in good standing with the GMC, without any conditions or undertakings (except those related to health).
The programme is for GPs who cannot commit to salaried, locum, or partnership GP posts due to personal or professional reasons, as outlined above. There is generally an expectation that the GP will return to a substantive GP post after the programme ends, unless they are approaching retirement.
The programme is not limited to female GPs and is open to all qualified GPs who meet the eligibility criteria.
If you have been away from General Practice for 2 years or more, you should consider the GP Returner Scheme instead, as this is better suited for those returning after a long absence.
Note: The programme is not designed for those with long-term health conditions who are unlikely to return to substantive GP work within 5 years.
What Educational Support Is Provided?
- Retained GPs working 4 sessions per week will receive 1 hour per month of mentoring (pro-rata for those working fewer sessions).
- More experienced GPs may choose to use their mentoring time for alternative activities such as teaching or mentoring others, with approval from the Retainer Advisor.
Retained GPs are also eligible for subsidised fees to attend CPD Connect events. Only practices and mentors that meet specific criteria are permitted to offer placements under ScotGP Retain and Sustain, ensuring quality and consistency in the support provided.
What Does a Typical Working Week Look Like?
A session typically involves a mix of tasks, such as:
- Surgeries
- Prescriptions
- Telephone consultations
- House calls
It is encouraged that Retained GPs also consider participating in occasional duty doctor sessions to further maintain their skills. Additionally, attending practice meetings is recommended, as it provides valuable insight into the business aspects of GP work.
How Do I Apply?
If eligible, you will then receive a list of suitable practices and mentors. Once you find a practice that fits your needs, the GP mentor will complete the necessary application form, which is then submitted to Public Services Delivery Scotland, formerly NHS Education for Scotland (NES). The Regional Adviser must also liaise with your local Health Board to confirm agreement as regards Health Board sessional reimbursement before the post can be confirmed.
The Advisor, the Retained GP and the Retained GP Mentor will discuss and agree on an Educational Prescription tailored to the GP’s needs and the ScotGP Retain and Sustain regulations.
Employment as a Retained GP
As a retainer, you will be employed directly by the practice. Your Regional Advisor will provide ongoing support regarding educational elements of the programme.
You will have a formal contract of employment with the practice. If you are a member of the British Medical Association (BMA), you can request them to review your contract.
You will be paid according to the Salaried Doctors pay scale, which includes various increments based on experience and workload. Since the pay scale is based on a 40-hour week, your salary will be pro-rated according to the number of hours you work.
You are entitled to 6 weeks of holiday plus public holidays, pro-rata. Sick leave and maternity leave are in line with standard employee entitlements.
Retained GPs can negotiate flexible working hours with their host practice, in line with the Model BMA Salaried GP Contract. Flexibility is encouraged to meet individual circumstances, including the possibility of term-time work.
A prospective Retained GP can opt to continue to work in their current practice if the practice agrees with that plan.
If a GP Practice is not currently an approved ScotGP Retain and Sustain practice and wishes to become one, the Practice will need to contact Public Services Delivery Scotland, formerly NHS Education for Scotland, who will advise on the application and approval process to become a ScotGP Retain and Sustain Practice.
Benefits of ScotGP Retain and Sustain
Feedback from participants shows that over 90% of Retained GPs successfully transition into part-time partnerships or salaried roles once they complete the programme. Many former Retained GPs also go on to become mentors or GP trainers themselves.
In essence, ScotGP Retain and Sustain provides a secure, protected environment in which to sustain and enhance your GP skills, offering the flexibility you need to either return to a more permanent role in general practice when the time is right or, for those of you in your late career, to continue to work as a valued and much needed GP.
Next Steps
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