www.bma.org.uk Spring/Summer 2010

GP Trainees subcommittee

British Medical Association, BMA House, Tavistock Square, London, WC1H 9JP © British Medical Association, 2009

GP TRAINERS – PLEASE PASS THIS NEWSLETTER TO YOUR GP SPECIALTY REGISTRARS

Welcome to the spring 2010 GP trainees newsletter.

STANDING UP FOR DOCTORS

Since our last edition, the GP Trainees subcommittee has continuedto work hard to get the best deal for all doctors training for a careerin general practice. As always, one of our main concerns has beenpreparing and presenting evidence to the Doctors and DentistsReview Body, which advises the Government on the level ofsupplement paid to trainees. An important part of our evidence wasthe results of the survey we sent out last year on GP traineeworkloads, so thank you to all of you who took the time to reply.

The DDRB has just published its report for 2010/11, in which itrecommended retaining the GP trainee supplement at its currentrate of 45%. Although we were pleased it did not recommend acut, we were disappointed not to see the increase to 50% that weadvocated in our evidence. That is because it’s vital GP traineesreceive a level of pay that recognises the intensity of GP workloads,and the fact that general practice training posts cannot be directlycompared to hospital posts. We will be writing to the DDRB toexpress our disappointment but then the subcommittee’s next taskwill be to put together its evidence for 2011/12 to guard againstany future erosion of the supplement.

We are also continuing to work with COGPED to ensure that theFramework Contract for GP trainees is up to date. However, weare aware that some Deaneries are trialling a single contract fortrainees for the duration of their training, a development we aremonitoring closely.

Of course, as well as in pay and contracts, we want to see the verybest standards of education in place for GP trainees. We havecontinued to take a great interest in the RCGP’s work on extendingGP training, although, as you’ll read below, we do not currentlyknow what its next steps will be on the issue.

Since this newsletter was last published, we have also held our firstnational elections for the 19 regional representatives on thesubcommittee. This meant that GP trainees across the UK had adirect say in who represents them. We will be running electionsagain this summer and if you think you might like to get involved,please contact the GPC Secretariat to find out how to put your nameforward. Contact details are on the last page. We always encouragenew members so even if you are not sure that you would like tostand, please do get in touch with any questions about the electionprocess or what being on the Subcommittee involves.

Finally, it just remains for me to say that I hope you enjoy thenewsletter and find it relevant. Please do pass it on to other GPtrainees and if you have any suggestions for the kinds of articles youwould like to see in our next edition, do let us know.

Dr Saira Malik,Chairman, GP Trainees Subcommittee

Trainees conferenceThe BMA’s 2010 GP Trainees Conference, “Get Ahead: The EssentialGP Trainee Skills Day” will take place on Friday 16th April at BMAHouse, Tavistock Square, London. If you want to make the most ofyour training, prepare for life as a qualified GP, and network withcolleagues from across the country, this is the event for you.

Members of our General Practitioners Committee (GPC) will sharetheir experiences and advice on subjects such as finding apartnership and options for sessional and locum working.

Dr Laurence Buckman, the current Chairman of GPC will introducethe day, and a representative from The Careers Group will giveadvice on how to best present your CV and succeed at interviews.

The event is open to all current GP trainees, foundation trainees,and newly qualified GPs. BMA members are eligible for preferentialrates. To find out more and register online, visit the GP TraineesConference page on the BMA website at:http://www.bma.org.uk/whats_on/gpreg2010.jsp

GP Trainees and Registrar News Spring/Summer 20102

Elections2009 ElectionsThe GP Trainees subcommittee held its first national elections toeach of its 19 regional constituencies in summer 2009.

Historically, posts were awarded on the basis of elections byregional GP trainee committees, but the subcommittee decidedlast year to switch to direct democratic elections to make surethat all GP trainees have a say in who represents them.

Current VacanciesThere are still vacant seats on the 2009-10 subcommittee for theNorth West, Northern Ireland and South East/East Scotland. Ifyour training is based in one of those regions and you would beinterested in joining the subcommittee for the remainder of the2009-10 session, which ends in May, then please contact FayeBunch from the GPC Secretariat at fbunch@bma.org.uk

2010 Elections – Your Chance to Get InvolvedWe hope to encourage even more people to stand in the 2010/11election. If you run as your region’s representative, and win, you’llhave the chance to help influence what happens in your area andshape BMA policy on national, as well as local, issues. In addition,the quarterly meetings, which take place at BMA House inLondon, are an opportunity to meet fellow trainees from acrossthe UK and share experiences, ideas and advice.

You do not have to be a BMA member to stand, as long as youare a doctor who will be in a Deanery GP Training programmewithin your chosen constituency next year. An honorarium andreasonable expenses are paid, so you will not lose out financiallyby attending meetings. If you are interested in running for electionthis summer, please email Faye Bunch at the address above.

GP Trainees in Your RegionEven if you don’t want to stand for election yourself you can getinvolved with what GP trainees are doing in your area. Thesubcommittee reps help to connect trainees in their region by, forexample, holding local meetings, or running email discussion lists.The members of the subcommittee for 2009/2010 are listed inthe column on the right and if you would like to be put in touchwith your representative, please email Faye Bunch.

Have Your SayTo make sure you are able to have your say on who representsyou in 2010/11, you must register to vote by signing up on theBMA website. Both BMA members and non-members are eligibleto take part in the elections but we can only send ballot papersto doctors who have told us that they are in GP training and havelet us know their details. Even if you are already a BMA member,please do log on to the website to check your details are up-to-date. For more information see the ‘We need your details’ sectionon the last page.

Members of the GP Trainees Subcommittee2009/10 Most of our members are regional GP Trainee representatives.However, we also invite a number of other members fromrelevant BMA committees and outside organisations, such as the RCGP, to develop links and hear their views.

ChairmanSaira Malik

Regional RepresentativesEast Midlands Musarat AliEastern Matthew PiccaverKent, Surrey and Sussex Sandeep KampaniLondon North Thomas RoundLondon South Gayathri RabindraMersey Claire SwiftNorth West Current vacancyNorthern Usman GoheerOxford Kilian KeaneyNothern Ireland Current vacancyScotland, North Chris WilliamsScotland, West Tony McElveenScotland, South East/East Current vacancySevern Lee SalkeldWales Simon DaviesSouth West Jonathan OsbornWessex Eleanor DaviesWest Midlands Anthony Nishan WiratungaYorkshire James Parsons (Deputy Chairman)

Past ChairmanKatie Maclaren

General Practitioners Committee RepresentativesKatie BramallAndrew ThomsonTerry John (Chairman of the Education, Training and WorkforceSubcommittee)Beth McCarron-Nash (GPC Negotiator)Laurence Buckman (GPC Chairman)

Junior Doctors Committee RepresentativesMohammed Saqib AnwarHelen GroteDebs White

Medical Students Committee RepresentativeDonna Tooth

Armed Forces Registrars RepresentativeDaniel Petrie

RCGP Associates In Training (AiT) ChairmanGreg Irving

GP Trainees and Registrar News Spring/Summer 2010 3

Doctors and Dentists Review Body DDRB

Your Pay ExplainedAs a GP trainee, you receive a basic rateof pay, determined by your level on theStR scale. On top of this, you receive asupplement, which is calculated as apercentage of your basic pay. Thecurrent rate for that supplement is 45% of basic pay, but it is re-set for thebeginning of every new financial year,on April 1st. The Government decideson that percentage, based on theDDRB’s recommendations. It does notnecessarily change each year but, since2007, it has decreased from 65% tothe current 45%.

The supplement that you receive is theone in place on the date that yousign a new contract of employmentwith your GP practice, not when youstart your first training post and notwhen you are placed at that practice bythe Deanery.

The Doctors and Dentists Review Body is an independent organization thatmakes an annual recommendation to the Government on the remuneration ofNHS doctors and dentists, including GP trainees. To do this, the DDRB considersa range of evidence submitted by, amongst others, the English, Scottish, Welshand Northern Irish Health Departments, NHS Employers (NHSE) and the BMA.

Its report for 2010/11 has just been published and recommended retaining the GP trainee supplement at 45%. This is somewhat disappointing news, asthe BMA advocated raising the GP trainee supplement to 50%, the rate inplace in 2008/09. However, we were pleased that, after the reduction to 45%last year, the DDRB did not recommend a further decrease.

Our Chairman, Saira Malik, gave oral evidence to the DDRB in which sheemphasised the main reason why we are opposed to further erosion of thesupplement – the high intensity of GP trainee work. Compared to those workingin hospitals, general practice-based trainees have limited supervision and hencemore responsibility for consultation. Indeed, in a survey carried out last year bythe BMA, trainees in general practice posts rated the workload in their currentjobs as considerably more intensive than their last hospital-based positions.

There is also some evidence that the reduced supplement in 2009 has affectedrecruitment to GP training. Competition ratios for GP Vocational TrainingScheme places were significantly down on the previous year, and for the firsttime ever, a second round of placements left almost 100 posts unfilled. Thiscomes at a time when the Government plans to widen the scope of primarycare, and increase the number of GPs. We feel that the supplement should beat an appropriate level to reflect not only the demanding nature of GP traineework but ensure that general practice remains an attractive option for the bestcandidates.

We will soon be writing to the DDRB with our response to the report then thesubcommittee will get to work compiling its evidence for next year.

You can read the full text of the DDRB’s report at the Office of ManpowerEconomics website: www.ome.uk.com

You can see the full BMA evidence at: http://www.bma.org.uk/employmentandcontracts/pay/pay_review_bodies/ddrbevidencetoreviewbody2009.jsp?page=1

GP Trainees and Registrar News Spring/Summer 20104

Extending GP trainingThe RCGP has submitted a paper on extending training forGP trainees to the Medical Programme Board for England(MPB), which advises Ministers on progress on ModernisingMedical Careers (MMC). The College’s business caseconsidered six options for the future:

1. No change to the current system.

2. No change to the length of training but anamended curriculum based on feedback fromtrainees and trainers.

3. Three years of training plus two years’ HigherProfessional Education.

4. Four years’ training.

5. Five years of postgraduate training after just oneyear of foundation training (the optionrecommended by the Tooke Report on ModernisingMedical Careers).

6. A minimum of five years of training.

The RCGP ultimately recommended extending GP trainingto five years, arguing that this will produce GPs betterequipped to meet the demands of the modern NHS.

The MPB discussed this paper at a meeting on January20th 2010, where BMA representatives voiced theircontinued support for the general principle of extending

GP training. However, they did note that GPC was notformally consulted on the final draft of the paper, and alsohighlighted concerns about funding issues.

The MPB decided not to recommend a fullcost-benefit analysis of the RCGP’s

proposals at this stage and haveasked the RCGP to further developtheir business case.

NHSE Scoping meetingOur Chairman, Saira Malik, and several other members ofthe GP Trainees subcommittee met NHSE and COGPED onOctober 29th 2009 to discuss contractual arrangements forGP trainees in general practice posts. We felt the discussionwas a useful one, as it provided an opportunity for thesubcommittee to present what it feels are the strengths andweaknesses of the current system. Although NHSE do notcurrently have a remit to negotiate any changes to thecontracts of doctors in training, it was also an opportunity toshare ideas on what we would like to see in any futurecontractual arrangements.

BMA GP Trainees websiteOur new section of the BMA website is now up and running,so it’s easy to find all information relevant to GP trainees.Please visitwww.bma.org.uk/careers/training_trainers/gp_trainees

GP Trainees and Registrar News Spring/Summer 2010 3

GP Trainees and Registrar News Spring/Summer 20104

Last year, I spent my birthdayattending the above courseorganised by the BMA.

Crazy? Perhaps. Was it worthit? Most definitely.

Who’s it for?Foundation trainees, GP trainees and thosewho are preparing for a career in generalpractice.

When was it?July 10th 2009

Where was it?BMA House, Tavistock Square, London

How much did it cost?£95 for BMA members£155 for non-members

Why did you do it?I wanted to learn more about my optionsfor the future with regards to working ingeneral practice. I was aware that thereare different types of practices andcontracts and I wanted to learn moreabout the differences between them andthe resulting implications.

During training there is little need tonegotiate contracts and pay on anindividual basis. However, knowledge ofthese areas will be essential when applyingfor jobs once qualified.

I also wanted to gain skills in developingmy CV effectively as this will be vital whenapplying for jobs in the future.

What did the conference cover?The day started with a lively talk from DrBuckman, chairman of GPC, entitled ‘TheFuture GP, a different kind of doctor’,highlighting some of the challenges thatlie ahead in general practice.

This was followed by an excellent talk onCV and interview skills from arepresentative of the Careers Group,covering how to present yourselfeffectively through your CV and atinterview and how todemonstrate/illustrate skills such asmanagement/team working.

Next there was an informative andinteractive session on locum and flexibleworking and the pluses and minuses thisinvolves.

Lunch was followed by a session onmoney matters for GPs includinginformation on pensions and tax and thena session on salaried GP contracts coveringhow contracts may differ depending onthe type of practice and theadvantages/disadvantages of being asalaried GP.

The end of the day finished with a sessionon finding a partnership and an excellenttalk about surviving the ST3 year and whatto expect.

Top TipTry to attend the course early on intraining to gain most benefit from theadvice and knowledge obtained.

Was it worth it?Yes. The day made me realise how little Iknew about the subjects covered and howmuch there is to know.

I found the CV and interview skills talkreally beneficial, it confirmed how little Iknew about the subject and provided anexcellent starting point for developingthese skills.

There was lots of valuable informationabout contracts and the variationsbetween them, for example pensions. I feel more confident about negotiatingfuture contracts.

Before attending the course I was not surewhat was involved in embarking on apartnership or how to go about becominga locum GP.

It was useful to have the opportunity tohear from someone who has beenthrough ST3 and ask questions. ST3 canbe a busy and stressful year and I nowknow what to expect and can plan myyear effectively.

I feel much more prepared and informedabout the challenges that lie ahead.

Get Ahead: The Essential GP Trainee Skills Day 2009 a review by Claire Swift, Regional Representative

for Mersey, GP Trainees Subcommittee

The 2010 GP Trainees Conference takes place on Friday 16th April. Seewww.bma.org.uk/whats_on/gpreg2010.jsp for details and to register.

GP Trainees and Registrar News Spring/Summer 2010 7

one line 0300 123 123 3 and online bma.org.ukWhatever you need the BMA for call 0300 123 123 3 or email support@bma.org.uk

Our advisers are there for employment advice and information or can direct

your call as you need.

Service available from 8.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday except UK-wide bank

holidays, or you can email your enquiry anytime. When contacting our advisers

please always quote your membership number.

CALLUS

NOW!

There are a number of ways in which youcan update your details:

Online by logging onto the BMA website atwww.bma.org.uk andclicking on ‘my details’. Whenletting us know about yourGP trainee status, you shouldselect the category ‘Specialty Registrar – GP (juniordoctors)’ if you are a GP trainee in a hospital placementor ‘Registrar GP (general practitioners)’ if you are in yourgeneral practice placement.

You can email the BMA’s membership andprofessional records department atmembership@bma.org.uk

You can telephone the BMA’s membership andprofessional records department on 020 7383 6595.

LETUS

KNOW

How to update your detailsThe BMA’s GP Trainees subcommittee is part ofthe General Practitioners Committee of theBMA. It represents all GP trainees throughoutthe UK on issues relating to contracts andwork conditions and also on the training andprofessional aspects of being a GP trainee.

WE NEEDYOURDETAILS!

We need your details

We are currently working on a number of important issuesrelevant to GP trainees, including the proposed extension to GPtraining and the erosion of the GP specialty registrar supplement.

To ensure that youreceive importantinformation about suchissues through ourregular newsletters ande-bulletins, and so thatyou can take part in ouryearly subcommitteeelections, it is vital thatyou keep us up to datewith your details,

including your status as a GP trainee. You can do this whetheryou are a BMA member or not.

EMAIL YOURDETAILS!

GET IN TOUCH

We hope you have enjoyed this edition ofthe GP Trainees Newsletter. If you would liketo be added to the circulation list, or haveany feedback on the newsletter, pleaseemail Faye Bunch at fbunch@bma.org.uk