Dundee GP Returner
Read this first-hand account from a GP who returned to general practice in Dundee after a career break.
Stopping work
When I stopped working in 2011 to look after my young family, I thought I would never return to General Practice. My circumstances changed and, four years later, I have completed my NHS Education Scotland (NES) Returner post and I’m proud to be part of the Dundee GP workforce. Here is my story and I hope it may inspire some people who are considering the Returner Programme.
I was initially daunted by the idea of returning to General Practice but, thanks to the structure of the Returner Programme, a helpful Postgraduate GP Director, efficient NES staff and my excellent supervisors, I have been guided and supported all the way.
I qualified as a GP in 2005 in London. I was a GP in Birmingham for 7 years; then I took a break from medicine for family reasons. In 2013 I decided to return to work. Luckily in General Practice there are specific re-training posts. I had voluntarily erased my name from the GMC register so I applied to be re-instated. This was straightforward process though I did have to go to the GMC offices, which was a little daunting.
As I was living in England I was interviewed for the NHS England Induction and Retainer Scheme. I prepared for and passed an MCQ and Simulated Surgery and I was allocated a re-training practice and supervisor. However, before I started work I was faced with relocation due to my (medical) partner finding a Consultant job in Dundee. Determined to return to work, I looked up the NHS Education Scotland Returner Programme and contacted the local Director of Postgraduate General Practice Education.
The Scottish Returner Programme
Entry into the Scottish Returner programme didn’t involve examinations. I submitted information about myself and my experience to the Dean and we had an initial meeting. Following this I was offered a placement on the Returner Programme with a salary, to begin within 2 weeks if I wanted to. I was able to choose full-time or part-time working (I chose part-time) for 6 months. The Dean took information about my educational needs and preferences and recommended educational supervisors in a Dundee Practice. I met my supervisors and we arranged a suitable start date. There was a little waiting for Criminal Disclosure checking but other than that this process was uncomplicated. From the beginning I was made to feel like a welcome addition to the Dundee GP workforce.
The 6-month Returner post consisted of 3 stages. Initially there was an induction and I was integrated into the practice team and computer system and my supervisor helped me to identify learning needs. Then there was a period of beginning to see patients and complete the training requirements such as RCGP Personal Education Planning (PEP) and 360-degree appraisal.
Finally I was given a Trainer’s report and reference to apply to be on the Performers List. Throughout my post I had weekly formal tutorials and informal ad-hoc support from my supervisors. I did quite a lot of self-directed study and as my confidence grew I progressed from 20 minute appointments to 10 minute. I was also given Child Protection training and Resuscitation training. Initially I was very anxious about seeing patients but by the end of my 6-month post I had definitely improved.
Clinical Post in Scotland
This has been my first clinical post in Scotland. Dundee has been a welcoming place. I think a doctor’s salary could afford a good standard of living here. Scotland is clearly rich in culture, the arts, sports and nature and transport links are good. A big selling point for General Practice in Dundee is that most GPs do not have rigid practice boundaries. This encourages family members to stay registered with the same surgery despite moving within the city. Therefore, GPs can provide continuity with individual patients and families and understand the extended family and community context.
Overall I think GPs in Scotland have maintained their autonomy and we enjoy good access to investigations. The medical workforce of Dundee is a close-knit community with plenty of CPD opportunities including an active locum group and RCGP Women’s Doctors group. The highly rated Dundee Medical School provides opportunities to teach for GPs who are interested.
I am pleased to be a GP in Dundee and I would recommend the NES Returner Programme to people thinking of returning to General Practice after a career break or a break form the NHS. I was initially daunted by the idea of returning to General Practice but thanks to the structure of the Returner Scheme, a helpful Postgraduate GP Director, efficient NES staff and to my excellent supervisors I have been guided and supported all the way.
