Frequently Asked Questions

Who can join the GP Retainer Scheme?

Any GP who has completed vocational training and holds the Certificate of Prescribed Experience issued by the Joint Committee, the new Certificate of Completion of Training or a Certificate of Equivalent Experience issued by PMETB, and who for personal reasons is only able to undertake limited General Practice work.  

The scheme is intended to maintain clinical skills and, in due course, allow you to increase your commitment as part of your continuing career in general practice. 

The Director and Associate Director will take individual circumstances into account when deciding whether to accept a doctor onto the scheme. These would normally involve personal well-founded reasons for limited, paid employment. Those following an alternative career, e.g. academic general practice, are not eligible for the scheme.

How do I apply to get on the Retainer Scheme?

You should speak to your local Associate Director of Postgraduate GP Education for advice on the application process and about finding a suitable practice.

Approval is subject to a recommendation to the Deanery by the Associate Director and agreement with the local PCT to pay the salary supplement and additional fees.

How long can I have not worked in GP to apply to be a Retainer?

You should first ensure you have been accepted on o your local PCTs “Performer’s List”. The longer you have been away from practice, the more evidence may be asked for to ensure that you have maintained basic skills. This is unlikely to be an issue for breaks of less than 2 years

How many sessions can a GP retainee work in general practice?

Up to a maximum of four per week and a deanery recommendation of a minimum of two sessions per week. This can be averaged over a quarter as a total of 52 sessions (including leave), with the opportunity to also work no more than two non-GP additional clinical sessions per week.

What is the length of a session

FTE - Full-time equivalent, which is 37.5 hours is defined as the work undertaken in 9 sessions.  This therefore defines session length as 4 hours and 10 minutes.

I’m confused about how a session breaks down in patient contact time and all the other things that a GP has to do

The BMA contract allows for 1 session a week FTE for professional development inclusive of the scheme’s required 28 hours of study time. This allows a session to be broken down roughly as two-thirds patient contact time and one third administration and professional development (click here for an example of how this might be calculated) 

Which practices can I work in?

All GP Training practices will be granted approval to employ a GP Retainer subject to agreement by the Local Associate Director and continuing satisfactory approval by the General Practice Education Committee of their training status.

Non Training practices will need prior individual approval and the Educational Supervisor will be required to have undertaken training in a course appropriate to the role.

How can GP retainees increase their commitment to general practice?

If an increase in sessions is desired, the retainee should contact the Patch Associate Director requesting permission.  The Severn Deanery GP School will following agreement inform the relevant PCT of the session changes.

Can GP retainees do any additional work?

Yes, with the agreement of the Patch Associate Director. They can work one to two sessions per week outside general practice, e.g. family planning or clinical assistant sessions.

How long can a GP retainee stay on the scheme?

The length of the scheme is a maximum of five years and at the end of the fourth year the Retainee will be required to undertake a review to determine their further plans following the end of the scheme.  In very exceptional circumstances there may be an option to extend the scheme according to individual circumstances at the Head of School's discretion.

How do GP retainees renew their membership?

A reapplication form is sent routinely to all current GP retainees about six weeks before the final day of their current year’s membership. They are required to send the completed form to their local patch Associate Director, prior to the end of the 1 year approval. The Associate Director will review and endorse the form before forwarding it to the Severn Deanery GP School who will then confirm continuing membership of the scheme to the PCT.

What Happens if an Reapplication Form is not Received

If the endorsed reapplication form and/or the Educational plan has not been received by the GP School office by the end of the approval period, notifcation of withdrawal of membership from the scheme will be sent to the relevant PCT and payments to the practice will cease after the 13^th month from the last approval.

What happens as GP retainees approach five years on the scheme?

They will be invited to discuss their individual circumstances and plans with their patch Associate Director  at the end of the fourth year of membership to allow discussion of their plans following the last (fifth) year on the scheme.

Should GP retainees have a contract?

Yes, GP retainees are employees of the practice, and required to be issued with a contract within 13 weeks of commencement of employment at the latest.  The Severn Deanery GP School requires that the BMA Model GP retainer scheme contract is used as part of the approval of the placement.

If the contract is altered or a different contract is used the local Patch Associate Director must be informed. Failure to do so will result in suspension of the scheme and withdrawal of funding.

What salary should I expect?

The BMA website (www.bma.org.uk) is extremely helpful about providing information about expected salary range and the factors that may be useful to take into consideration during negotiation.

What are practices entitled to claim as reimbursement?

PCTs reimburse practices a set rate (currently £59.18) per session worked by the retainee. The reimbursement covers annual leave, sick leave and maternity leave. Educational sessions will also qualify for the allowance to the practice (28 hours per year).

What commitment does the GP retainee have as regards education?

The retainee must undertake 28 hours of education time per year to include direct educational supervision of three hours by the practice educational supervisor. These three hours should be spread throughout the year.

All GP retainees are required to draw up an educational development plan, following discussion with their educational supervisor. New retainees should submit their plan within six weeks of their start date in the practice – sending one copy to the Severn Deanery GP School and another to their Patch Associate Director. Current retainees must attach their plan to their reapplication form.

Do GP retainees have to do out of hours work and on-call?

No, but they may if they want that experience and it is particularly desirable to include this, including covering daytime emergencies and the “duty doctor” role, towards the end of the scheme.

Can there be two retainees in one practice?

Yes, in exceptional circumstances, with the agreement of the Patch Associate Director. Each retainee can work an average of 4 sessions per week.

Can a retainee work in 2 practices?

Yes, if for example one practice only needs a retainee for 2 sessions and the retainee wishes to work more than this. The retainee can also undertake occasional GP locum work.

What happens if my child is ill and I can’t work?

There is now a legal right which allows employees to take a reasonable amount of time off work to deal with certain unexpected or sudden emergencies and to make any necessary longer term arrangements.

Special leave for domestic, personal and family reasons is defined in the BMA contract

How do I calculate educational time?

You are obliged to undertake 28 hours of education time per year (HSC 1999/004) and for this you will receive your usual payment from the practice.

Redundancy compensation

All Retained doctors as employee’s of a GP practice are covered by NHS redundancy regulations and in the event that you are made redundant, you will be entitled to redundancy compensation calculated in accordance with Section 45 of the Whitley Council Handbook.

“Reckonable service” in Section 45 of the Whitley Council Handbook will include:
(a) Your current service with the Practice; and
(b) Your previous continuous service calculated in accordance with the  “Continuity of Service” clause.

For details please e-mail Jim Morison (jmorrison@cix.co.uk)

Appraisal/revalidation

You will be required to undertake NHS appraisal and revalidation as defined by current regulations issued by the DH.

Professional registration and medical indemnity

At all times during your employment you must have full registration with the General Medical Council and membership with a recognised medical defence organisation commensurate with your professional duties.

Is there any financial support for professional expenses?

The deanery contributes £310 towards professional defence organisation subscriptions and £190 towards education. The grant is paid as a single lump sump annually, up to a maximum of 5 annual grants.

Updated November 2007