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  7. ScotGP Retain and Sustain Frequently Asked Questions

ScotGP Retain and Sustain Frequently Asked Questions

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If you’re a General Practitioner looking for a supported programme to build your skills in General Practice in Scotland, the ScotGP Retain and Sustain Programme provides a tailored programme around you following an individual learning needs assessment.

Read through the frequently asked questions to make sure you have all the information available to you.

Key Information
ScotGP Retain and Sustain Frequently Asked Questions
How many sessions can a Retained GP work in the Practice per week?
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Minimum of 2 sessions, maximum of 4 retained GP sessions per week.

What is the length of a session?

The length of a session is usually a standard 4 hours and 10 minutes.  However, there is flexibility with agreement of the Retained GP and the Practice, to work longer and shorter sessions totalling to no more than a maximum of 16 hours and 40 minutes a week. This can be useful if the Retained GP wishes to take part in the Duty Doctor Rota or requires a shorter session for child-care arrangements. The details of the job-plan should be negotiated between the Practice and the Retained GP. We recommend that BMA guidance is followed as per the BMAs Salaried GPs Handbook.

Who employs the Retained GP?

The contract of employment is with the Practice. The BMA Salaried Doctors Contract can be   used as a template for negotiation between the Retained GP and the Practice. Modifications may be required, for example, regarding the length of a session. The BMA Retainer contract template is not recommended as it is based on the English scheme.

What is the Educational Agreement?

The NES Educational Agreement describes the educational commitment agreed between a Mentor and a Retained GP. This is a negotiable document and one that the Retained GP and   Mentor should agree at the start of the post. It is not a contract of employment and does not supersede any other contracts signed.

What is the holiday entitlement for a Retained GP?
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The programme allows for six weeks annual leave and public holidays pro rata.  The Practice will receive sessional reimbursement for this leave.  The Retained GP can negotiate a longer holiday entitlement with the Practice which can be paid or unpaid.  The Practice will not be reimbursed for this additional annual leave.

What is the study leave entitlement for a Retained GP?

A Retained GP is required to provide evidence of educational activities each year in line with all other GPs to achieve the requirements for annual appraisal and revalidation. Retained GPs are entitled to a maximum of four sessions of study leave per year depending on the number of sessions worked per week (i.e. if works 2 sessions per week entitled to 2 sessions paid study leave per year, 3 worked sessions per week then 3 study leave sessions per year). In addition, retained GPs should also receive a further 2 study leave sessions annually to prepare for and undertake appraisal. There is an expectation that the Retained GP will participate in Practice based education and attend practice meetings and study leave can be used for this. Although there is no NES provision of retained GP specific education, retained GPs are eligible for a 1/3 reduction in fees for CPD Connect activities.

What is the maternity leave entitlement?

This is agreed by negotiation with the Practice. We recommend that BMA guidance is followed as per the BMAs Salaried GPs Handbook.

The Retained GP is considered to be on ScotGP Retain and Sustain for the first six months of paid maternity leave but for the second six-month period is “paused” from ScotGP Retain and Sustain.  The first six months of maternity leave will count towards the total five years on the programme.

 If the Retained GP is eligible for full maternity benefits, then the Practice is reimbursed sessional payments by the relevant Health Board for the first six months of the Retained GP’s maternity leave. If the Retained GP is only eligible for Statutory Maternity Pay for the first six months e.g. a gap in employment for some time before joining the programme, the practice will not receive sessional reimbursement. If this is the case, then that period of maternity leave is considered to be a “pause” from the programme and will not count towards the 5 years.

What is the sick leave entitlement?

This is negotiable with the Practice.

The Retained GP may be eligible for greater sick pay entitlement if they have accrued years of service with the NHS.

We recommend that BMA guidance is followed as per the BMAs Salaried GPs Handbook.

Is there special leave?

If an individual wishes to take extended leave, e.g. to look after a sick child, this would normally be unpaid, and at the discretion of the Practice.  The alternative would be to make up the lost time at another date.

What is my superannuation entitlement?

The Retained GP post is superannuated.

What other work can I undertake while on ScotGP Retain and Sustain?
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All additional work must be approved by the NES Associate Adviser prior to taking up a post.  The Associate Adviser may approve up to an additional two GP clinical sessions a week, which could be either for GP out of hours or as additional locum GP sessions. In addition, the Associate Advisor may approve other additional work if the GP is at risk of leaving clinical GP work if they were unable to undertake this additional work, but this additional work must be beneficial to future work as a GP (unless the Retained GP is close to retirement).  Examples include family planning, hospital clinical assistant posts, research/academic posts and post- or undergraduate teaching posts which are relevant to General Practice.  An application form for additional sessions must be completed.

The practice employing the Retained GP for additional GP locum sessions will not receive any Health Board reimbursement for these sessions.

A Retained GP wishing to do their additional sessions as a GP locum must contact their local Health Board to change their Performers List status and contact their Defence Society to ensure appropriate indemnity cover.

Can I increase or decrease my number of sessions as a Retained GP?

Yes – the maximum is four sessions per week and the minimum recommended educationally is 2 per week except in exceptional circumstances.  Changes in the number of sessions worked must have the prior approval of the Associate Adviser and is dependent on funding from practitioner services. Changes in sessions CANNOT be approved retrospectively.

Can a Practice have more than one Retained GP, or can a Retained GP work in more than one Practice?

There will usually be only one Retained GP in any approved Practice.  An exception to this could be a remote or very rural Practice where there are two eligible doctors wishing to work and where travel to another Practice would be difficult. This would require Health Board approval.

Retained GPs may in exceptional circumstances work in two Practices. This would require the support of the GP Lead Dean Director and the approval of the Specialty Quality Management Group.

Mentoring time - how often should this take place and when?

Retained GPs should meet for 1 hour per month (pro-rata per sessions worked on ScotGP Retain and Sustain) with their designated Mentor to discuss their personal development.  The mentoring will help provide evidence for annual appraisal.  Mentoring time should be part of the Retained GP’s contracted hours. Mentoring time should normally be on a one-to-one basis.

Can I use my allocated mentoring time for peer-mentoring or teaching?

This would need to be discussed with your Associate Advisor and Practice and may be allowed depending on individual circumstances.

Can I do out of hours work?

You may do so if you so wish to gain experience, and it has been approved by the Associate Adviser following an application to undertake additional sessions up to a maximum of 2 sessions a week.

What do I need to do with regard to revalidation and appraisal?
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The evidence you gather for the GP Appraisal system in Scotland will inform your revalidation folder. Keep your PDP and evidence of courses attended/evidence of learning/QIA/SEA /complaints and commendations etc together in a folder/file/portfolio to discuss with your Mentor who will advise you if appropriate.  All Retained GP should utilise the Scottish Online Appraisal Resource at http://www.appraisal.nes.scot.nhs.uk/ for appraisal and revalidation                                                purposes.

Preparatory time for your annual appraisal and undertaking appraisal will require 2 sessions per year over and above your study leave.

Retained GPs are required to provide the same level of evidence as all other GPs.

What is the role of the ScotGP Retain and Sustain Associate Adviser?

The ScotGP Retain and Sustain Adviser is available for both advice and support for both retained GPs and mentors.  If a retained GP has any difficulties within their practice, they should feel free to contact their local Adviser.  Any telephone discussions or interviews will be confidential. The Advisors also approve GP Mentors and GP practices for ScotGP Retain and Sustain as part of NES’s Quality Approval programme. They also review and approve requests to undertake additional sessions.

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