Scotland GP Returner Programme
If you’re a General Practitioner looking to return to General Practice in Scotland, the Scotland Deanery has developed a fast and funded pathway back to frontline GP work.
Explore information on:
- Who the Scotland GP Returner Programme is for
- Where to get more information
- Expression of Interest
- Eligibility
- Scotland GP Returner Programme Aims
If you have any questions about the information on this page, please contact us at gpcareersadvice@nes.scot.uk
Who is the Scotland GP Returner Programme for?
General Practitioners (GP) who previously worked in NHS General Practice and have taken a career break of at least two years or spent time working abroad, who are on (or eligible to be on) the General Medical Council’s (GMC) GP Register and are eligible to be on a NHS Performers’ List, can apply to the programme to safely return to General Practice. See full eligibility details
Where can I get more information?
For more information follow the quick-links to useful resources we strongly recommend you review.
⬇️ Download your copy of the Scotland GP Returners Programme PDF
📖 Read the frequently asked questions on the GP Returners FAQs page
📽️ Hear a first-hand account of a GP returning to General Practice in Scotland by watching the video of Dr Liza Stolton
Start with an Expression of Interest
Am I eligible for the Scotland GP Returner Programme?
To be eligible for the Scotland GP Returners programme, the following criteria must be met:
- You must have the right to work in the UK.
- You must be fully and currently registered with the GMC with a license to practise and on the GP Register, without GMC conditions or undertakings (except those relating solely to health matters).
- You must not have been working in clinical General Practice for the preceding two years but must previously have worked within a General Practice environment providing continuity of care and the full range of primary care services including, for example, the following - paediatrics, end of life and palliative care, care of the elderly, chronic disease management, complex multimorbid conditions and mental health.
- You must establish your eligibility to be included on the Scottish Performers’ List through contact with the Health Board Performers List Administrator in the area you wish to work. If this is conditional on satisfactory completion of the Returner Programme, then the Health Board Medical Director/ Performers’ List administrator must convey this opinion to the local NES Advisor.
- You must have a commitment to be domiciled in and work in NHS General Practice in Scotland.
- You must be eligible for Medical Defence organisation membership on completion of the programme.
- You will not already have undertaken, commenced or been unsuccessful in similar programmes elsewhere in the UK or unsuccessful in the national RtP programme or previously recognised simulated surgery as part of an application elsewhere in the UK
- Certification of completion of GP Training or equivalent in the UK by a competent authority.
- Committed to live and work in NHS General Practice in Scotland.
- The programme can be undertaken at less than full time with the minimum being 50%.
- Those returning form a period of ill health must be deemed fit to work by an Occupational Health Physician and that joining the programme is sustainable and will not put their health at risk. The programme is solely to offer educational support and is not designed as a supported return to work from ill health
Scotland GP Returner Programme Aims
Provide a supportive and clinically relevant educational environment in which GPs can refresh and update their knowledge and clinical skills.
Provide formative assessments for the GP during the practice attachment.
Provide a clinical reference through an Educational Supervisors Report (ESR) supported by evidence to those managing the Performer List.
Enable GPs who are committed to live and work in Scotland, to return to the GP work force.
Download your copy of The Scotland GP Returner Programme as an interactive PDF
For full details on The Scotland GP Returner Programme, download your interactive PDF copy which includes:
- Process
- Teaching and Learning
- Assessment
- Review of Progress
Explore the Scotland GP Returner Programme Resources
