GPs
General practitioners (GPs) treat all common medical conditions and refer patients to hospitals and other medical services for urgent and specialist treatment, thus holding an important role in looking after patients in their community.
As a GP you’ll be part of a wider team that promotes, prevents and offers treatment. You’ll care for people with chronic illness and long-term conditions, aiming to keep them well and in their own homes.
A full-time working week usually comprises of eight sessions, which equates to four days. A typical day in the practice normally starts at around 8am when you’ll check paperwork before seeing patients. You’ll spend time with a mix of patients with a variety of health needs until late morning, either face-to-face or through a phone consultation. At the end of morning surgery, some GPs see extra patients for urgent appointments.
After morning appointments, you'll generally catch up on paperwork, and make any phone calls. After lunch you may visit patients in their homes or care homes. Once visits are complete, you’ll start your afternoon surgery, which might run from 3pm until 6.30pm. You may also provide evening and weekend appointments.
Medical education is great for GPs who want a flexible career. It helps to keep things interesting and maintains curiosity as well as a chance to apply your knowledge and use your skills, in a different way. All medical students, doctors and the wider multi professional team will have benefited from the input of GP supervisors and educators – are you ready to train, inspire and motivate others too?
Listen to Dr Tariq Hussain (Patch Associate GP Dean for North and West Kent) talk to Dr Cathy O'Leary about the GP Educator Pathway for ideas.
Please see our mentoring pages for more information about becoming a mentor.
The Local Medical Committee (LMC) is an elected body established through statute, which represents the interests of local NHS GPs and their teams. Londonwide, LMCs is the umbrella body for 28 local medical committees across the capital, of which our 5 boroughs are represented.
There are local LMC meetings. Please see further information on the NCL ICB GP website LMC - North Central London GP Website (icb.nhs.uk).
In 2009, the GMC introduced licenses for practising doctors in the UK. Since 2012, these licenses must be renewed every five years through revalidation.
Finding out about revalidation:
The Royal College of General Practitioners provides, a range of resources to support doctors in the appraisal and revalidation process.
To find out more, please see further information on the NCL ICB website.
GP Education Resources:
Integrated Care Support Services, in collaboration with Dr Jeremy Gray, have compiled a document of educational resources for GPs, including links to training courses and conferences, podcasts, literature and more!