The universal GP Training website for everyone, not just Bradford.   Created in 2002 by Dr Ramesh Mehay

Newly Qualified GPs & "The First 5"

resources for those within the first 5 years post qualification

Job Vacancies

jobs.bradfordvts.co.uk takes jobs from all over the UK & abroad. 

If you have a post vacancy, please advertise with Bradford VTS.   Get the right person, with fresh ideas whilst supporting us at the same time.

OVER 45000 VISITORS PER MONTH!

GP trainees, their GP trainers, the newly qualified and a whole host of other health professionals.

Click a job for more details. Go to jobs.bradfordvts.co.uk for full list.

NEW GPs - MENU

Career Opps & Planning

CVs, interviews, GPSI, work abroad, ship's dr etc

BVTS Locum Guide

everything you need to know to set up

Appraisal

guidance + induction resources

Financial Matters

basic financial stuff for doctors

Looking after yourself

guidance + induction resources

Locum Agencies List

list of locum agencies

Medical Accountants List

list of accountants who specialise in GP

Financial Advisors List

list of financial advisors

Every one feels scared at first

Feeling apprehensive or a little worried?   Everyone goes through that feeling; it’s natural.   Embrace it.  

We hope these pages will help lessen that feeling.  If there is anything that you think should be included here or even if you would like to take over or write something for this page, please contact me rameshmehay@googlemail.com.

A quick check list for Newly Qualified

The following needs to be done BEFORE you can independently work as a GP in the UK – irrespective of you being a locum, salaried, partner or other.   Don’t leave it until the last minute.  If you have jobs set up, failure to do this will not only cause you grief but grief to your future employers who then will not be impressed with you!  First impressions count.

You need to be on the GMC’s GP register if you have not already done so.

  • So there are two GMC registers you need to be on.  The General GMC register that every doctor needs to be on.   Then the GP GMC register for GPs.
  • Click here for the GMC GP Register.
  • Ring and tell them that you are now no longer a GP trainee.  
  • They will want to know what you plan to do and how many sessions.   Locum?  Salaried?  Partner?

Ring your car insurance and tell them that your car is going to be both for personal and business use.

  • DBS in England:  NHS SBS Greenwich, 8th Floor, 6 Mitre Passage, Greenwich Peninsula, London, SE10 0ER;  Tel: 0208 5363000; SBS-i.contractsDBS@nhs.net
  • Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland : usually done as part of the performers list application.
  • Locum agenciess: if you plan to work for several locum agencies, beware – each one might ask you to go through a DBS check.  If this is the case, think about signing up to the annual DBS update service – currently only £13 per year.
  • Occupational Health check certificate.   You will usually have to pay for this.   If you’re working for a locum agency – they should pay.  If a salaried post, hopefully the surgery might offer to pay.   Accredited Occupation Health Services can be found on the SEQOHS website.

Practices will want to see the following documents, so keep them together in a physical AND electronic file.  In this way you can show them in person or email beforehand.

  1. Your identity  (Driving Licence or Passport)
  2. Qualification certificates (Medical Degree, GMC registration, MRCGP CCT certificate)
  3. Indemnity certificate
  4. Performers List certificate  + DBS certificate
  5. Occupational Health docs  (Hep B status in particular)

In order to practice as a GP in the UK you MUST be on the Performers List.  Basically it is a list to say you have been vetted and allowed to perform.   In England, Wales and NI, there is just the one National Performers List.  In Scotland, you have to apply to each Health Board you work in (yes, a pain in the bum!).

How to get on?

  • How long your CV is depends on what you are applying for.
  • If it is the odd locum here and there, then it should be a maximum of 2 sides of A4.  Remember, busy GPs and their Practice Managers don’t have time to read a 6 page thing and they get CVs all the time!
  • However, if it is a more considerable post like a Salaried or Partnership, the practice will want to know more.  In which case, develop a CV which is fuller – perhaps 4-6 pages long. 
  • Add something exciting about yourself in the “Personal Interests & Hobbies” and “Mission Statement” sections.   Stand out from the crowd.
  • Get two up to date referrees.
  • Google Maps for android and iOS is fine.  Does the job.
  • Download the TomTom app.
  • If using your phone, don’t forget to buy a car mount – look them up on ebay or Amazon.
  • Or buy a specific sat nav device (which is usually unnecessary these days).
  • Of course, you may not need one at all if your car has a good sat nav, but in my opinion, most are a bit clunky and painful to use.
  • Ask you own practice if they have anything going?
  • Your local scheme may be advertising jobs on their websites
  • www.jobs.bradfordvts.co.uk
  • Adverts in BMJ, Pulse and GP

The Performers' List

Every doctor in England needs to be on something called the Performers’ List.  It is PCSE Online that manages this process.   You can sign up online and to do so is every doctor’s responsibility.  The application/registration process is now online and this makes the whole thing easier to do.   Here are a few useful links followed by some FAQs.

Performer Lists provide an extra layer of reassurance for the public that GPs, Dentists and Opticians practising in the NHS are suitably qualified, have up to date training, have appropriate English language skills and have passed other relevant checks such as with the Disclosure and Barring Service and the NHS Litigation Authority.

In accordance with The National Health Service (Performers Lists) (England) Regulations 2013 it is your responsibility to ensure that you update your status and circumstances on the Performers List

PCSE Online is a web-based system for submitting and approving Performer List change notifications and Performer List applications.  Practices, Performers, CCGs and NHS England can access the service via the PCSE website with a unique login ID and password. Some users may already have access to PCSE Online for ordering supplies and tracking medical records.

PCSE Online is a web-based system for submitting and approving Performer List change notifications and Performer List applications.  Practices, Performers, CCGs and NHS England can access the service via the PCSE website with a unique login ID and password. Some users may already have access to PCSE Online for ordering supplies and tracking medical records.

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How IT ALL STARTED
WHAT WE'RE ABOUT
WHO ARE WE FOR?

Bradford VTS was created by Dr. Ramesh Mehay, a Programme Director for Bradford GP Training Scheme back in 2001. Over the years, it has seen many permutations.  At the time, there were very few resources for GP trainees and their trainers so Bradford decided to create one FOR EVERYONE. 

So, we see Bradford VTS as  the INDEPENDENT vocational training scheme website providing a wealth of free medical resources for GP trainees, their trainers and TPDs everywhere and anywhere.  We also welcome other health professionals – as we know the site is used by both those qualified and in training – such as Associate Physicians, ANPs, Medical & Nursing Students. 

Our fundamental belief is to openly and freely share knowledge to help learn and develop with each other.  Feel free to use the information – as long as it is not for a commercial purpose.   

We have a wealth of downloadable resources and we also welcome copyright-free educational material from all our users to help build our rich resource (send to bradfordvts@gmail.com).

Our sections on (medical) COMMUNICATION SKILLS and (medical) TEACHING & LEARNING are perhaps the best and most comprehensive on the world wide web (see white-on-black menu header section on the homepage).