Each annual intake of GP Registrars forms its own year group. This group is maintained throughout the three years and during this period the programme organises a half-day release course, on a Wednesday afternoon, during University term time. Great importance is laid on the fact that group discussion amongst peers is a powerful learning tool. At the beginning of the programme, an innovative two day induction course is provided to quickly develop group cohesiveness and an understanding of the scope of GP training in leadership, teamwork and self awareness terms.

The half day release session topics are flexible and GP Registrars are expected to contribute towards the evolution of the course: feedback from GP registrars is an important tool for changing and developing the programme.

In addition to being an important component of learning on the scheme, each year group also acts as both a social and support network.

GP registrars continue to attend the half-day release course during their hospital attachments. We also facilitate contact between GPRs in hospital posts and training practices, with "back in practice" afternoons. These form part of the half-day release course and enable the GPRs to spend the afternoon back in their training practices, using the time for a variety of educational purposes.

The course provides plenty of information with respect to the MRCGP assessments, and there are specific sessions geared to the requirements the MRCGP.

• Why half day release?
• Our teaching programme

Other educational activities facilitated by the training programme:

The half day release course includes specific sessions on the theoretical aspect of child health and child protection. We shall also keep you updated on child protection training in North Cumbria, during your time on the programme.

The programme puts particular emphasis on communication skills training, with a number of designated sessions on the half day release course and two whole day sessions, backed up by one to one teaching in the training practices.

We provide training on child protection, diversity and anti-discrimination issues.

Minor Surgery experience is gained either during an A & E Post, or during the General Practice attachments.

CPR training is provided at a half-day release seminar leading to acquisition of a certificate of competence.

Courses are available in in Minor Surgery, Family Planning, and DRCOG and MRCGP preparation.

For more details about study leave, see the Northern Deanery website.

Study Leave/Courses outside the programme:

We could never meet all the educational needs of all our GP registrars and recognise that some skills are better learned outside the Training Programme. We therefore encourage GP registrars to attend local postgraduate meetings and to attend local, regional and, where appropriate, national courses.

The regulations allow up to thirty full days study leave per year. The half-day release seminars take up half of this entitlement. The granting of study leave depends on the Consultant or GP Trainers` prior agreement - but this is usually readily granted if service commitment allows (in hospital) and, of course, if the purpose is of educational value.

The posts in  Paediatrics and Obstetrics and Gynaecology meet the requirements (respectively) of the DCH and DRCOG examinations.

Updated by TS on 24/08/11