Courses and Study Leave

Claiming Expenses During Training

Information and forms for claiming expenses (including travel) during GP training can be found here.

CSA and AKT exam preparation course funding

For some years, the Wessex School of General Practice has pre-paid for CSA and AKT exam preparation courses at the RCGP Wessex Faculty.
From August 2016, the funding for CSA and AKT courses will be allocated to the four Patch Offices. GP trainees will be able to apply to their Patch Office for funding to attend an appropriate, approved CSA and AKT exam preparation course of their choice.
Trainees will be able to claim up to £350 for the CSA course and up to £150 for the AKT course from their Patch Office. Any additional charge for these courses will be met by the trainee.

Courses During GP Training

This part of the site offers guidance on courses for the GP trainee, and has local guidance on study leave. There are many locally available training courses, which are not mandatory, but should be regarded as desirable. Courses are organised through different organisations and therefore it is worth keeping your eye on a few of local websites:

ST1/2 trainees are advised to consult the list of approved courses here:

Study Leave (GP ST1 ST2 Approved Courses for GP – deanery update) 12.05.15

Still others are booked direct using the linked flyers below.  Some guidance for trainees:

  • Crash Course in Acute Paediatrics, see flyer and programmes: CCAP advert, CCAP Programme
  • Minor Surgery: A theory course, combined with additional practical sessions.
  • Child Health Surveillance: Usually a theory course with additional practical sessions.
  • Child Abuse: Important area of training.
  • Family Planning and Sexual Health: Theory courses followed by practical sessions. Additional training is required for the Certificate of Competence to fit IUCDs. See linked flyer above.
  • CPR training: Is compulsory for the MRCGP and can normally be organised through your surgery – ask your trainer or practice manager
  • Mental Health Course: Held on Fridays and is regarded as “EXCELLENT”. See linked flyer below.
  • Mental Health Condensed Course: Two one week condensed courses are held in the Summer and Autumn. See linked flyer below.
  • Lead or be Led – particularly good if your career plans are likely to involve leadership/people management positions.

Finally, particularly as you enter the latter stages of your training, familiarise yourself with the main courses pages of the website.

DCH Clinical Exam

The DCH clinical exam has recently undergone a period of development and the newly developed exam was held for the first time in April 2011, at a number of hospital settings across the UK. For further information please see: http://www.rcpch.ac.uk/training-examinations/assessment-exams/diploma-child-health

Family Planning Diploma

The new Diploma is accessible from the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Health website: www.fsrh.org.  A new e-learning module now forms the initial part of the training for the Diploma of the Faculty of Sexual & Reproductive Healthcare – DFSRH, (formerly the DFFP and the Letters of Competence in Subdermal Implants and Intrauterine Techniques). The e learning module has been developed in collaboration with e-learning for health and can be found here.

GP Primary Care Mental Health Course

Please find all relevant information and forms for this course below, which has been set up to meet the training needs of GPs and GP trainees.

GPs in any area are welcome to join the course if there are places available.  If you wish to attend will you please complete and return the Registration Form.  The cost of the course is £420, which includes lunch and refreshments.  If you have any queries please call Gill Holloway on 0750 2102 867.

PG Certificate in the Delivery of Primary Health Care

This is a programme designed for qualified doctors who are training for General Practice as GP Registrars. This certificate is taught alongside the Day Release Course and offers students the opportunity to earn 60 CATS points, which can be used towards future routes of study.  It is currently being run at Winchester alongside the Mid-Wessex Day Release Course but is also being offered to other patches.  For enquiries and further details please contact Andrew Wright. Click on the here to read more about what the course is about.

Study Leave

Information from the Wessex Deanery on other forms of leave is available here.

Patient Safety

Patient Safety is a key element in postgraduate medical education.  All doctors in training within the Wessex Deanery must provide evidence of patient safety activity in each year of training and have this signed off at their ARCP. Please discuss with your Educational Supervisor and Rota Supervisor to agree which date your will attend. To book your place, please visit www.coursesandconferences.org.uk All events are held at Southern House, Otterbourne and are free. N.B. dates for ST1 GP Trainee’s: 1st September, 23rd September, 6th October, 18th November.GP Trainees in ST1 GP Placements must attend on one of these days.  GP Trainees in Hospital Specialty Placements should preferably attend on their allocated Specialty days or if this is not possible may attend on one of the above GP Trainee days instead.

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