Training Practice

Fitzalan Medical Group has been accredited as being suitable for the training of junior doctors. This means that the practice and doctors have had to achieve a number of standards which have been assessed by the GP Deanery for Kent, Surrey and Sussex, acting on behalf of two national organisations: the Postgraduate Medical Education Training Board and the Royal College of General Practitioners.

We have a number of grades of junior doctors who work and receive training in the practice:

• GP Specialty training Registrars
• Foundation Year 2 doctors
• Year 5 Medical Students
• Paramedic Practitioners

GP Specialty training Registrars (GPStRs) are in specialist training before becoming a General Practitioner. They will have had experience of a variety of hospital posts, having been qualified as a doctor for at least two years before coming into general practice.

Foundation Year 2 (FY2) doctors are in their second year of their foundation programme following qualification as a doctor. The foundation programme is aimed at giving junior doctors a wide experience of working in a variety of clinical settings at an early stage of their medical careers. Not all foundation senior house officers will pursue a career in general practice.

Both GPStRs and FY2 doctors are fully qualified doctors who are able to treat and advise patients in general practice. They are supervised by one of the doctors, who will be their trainer.

If you are seeing such a doctor you can expect to receive the same quality of service you would from your own GP. If you have any concerns please mention this to a member of staff.

In order for the GPStRs to successfully complete their training they need to be assessed on their consulting skills. This is done by the appointed assessors viewing a video of the registrar’s consultations. You may be asked for your permission to have your consultation recorded in this way. If you agree, you will need to give your written permission. A consent form which you will be offered, is available at the front desk. If the doctor appears to be recording your consultation and you have not signed a consent form, then you should indicate this to him or her immediately. The recording will be used for educational purposes only. Further information about this process and the confidentiality of it can be obtained from the reception staff.

Year 5 Medical Students spend 4 weeks in the practice. They do not see patients on their own and will always be with an experienced doctor.

Paramedic Practitioners spend 8 weeks in the practice, they are paramedics with at least 5 years experience. They shadow the doctors and are able to do some visits.

To ensure that the practice continues to meet the standards for training in the KSS Deanery, the practice and the doctors will be subject to regular inspection visits (normally every three years). At this inspection another doctor will assess the quality of the patient records. If you do not want your own record to be available for inspection then please inform the practice of your wishes and they will be respected. Please ask any member of the reception staff using our online form for further information if needed.