We are a small and friendly group, whose ethos is to care for the needs of individuals, in a learner-centred, GP-centered way. We have a diverse group of local and international graduates, all of whom compliment each other and enrich the group by their presence.
 
There is a welcoming, friendly feel for all – be it as a new individual coming to Macclesfield independently, someone making a career change,  contemplating maternity leave or less than full time return to work. We have a wealth of experience and advice for registrars contemplating family-friendly working. We offer support for preparation for the RCA exam, focusing especially on communication and consultation skills.

Dr Debbie Maxwell is the GPVTS Programme Director and can be contacted via email at debbie.maxwell@nhs.net or by mobile on 07742107873.

Debbie has been a course organiser (more recently a programme director) since 2001 having been a GP trainer for 10 years prior to that. GP training has been one of the most interested and rewarding aspects of her GP career and feels it is a privilege to have time each week to facilitate discussions with trainees on all manner of topics and explore problem cases together.

Outside of work Debbie likes to keep busy with her three children who are all in their twenties now and living away in London. Debbie’s husband, who was also a GP, is now a primary care dermatologist and contributes regularly to our teaching sessions. Debbie is trying to learn the cello ( still sounding fairly bad!) and enjoys playing tennis, cycling and skiing. But enjoys most of all walking in the Peak District with her friends and dog, along with eating out in the wealth of places that we have locally.

Dr Andrew Maurice has been a Primary Care Medical Educator on the Macclesfield GP training programme for the past 4 years and loves everything to do with education and development. He is passionate about all aspects of General Practice and feels privileged to have a role in facilitating trainee’s learning in what is undoubtedly the best medical career.

Andrew is the lead partner in the Middlewood Partnership – a large practice serving 33,000 patients in the North East corner of Cheshire.  He has been a trainer for the last 15 years, successful helping GP registrars negotiate their way through their training programme.  He has also been a SOX (support on extension) trainer for a number of years, providing additional guidance for trainees that have had difficulties meeting the requirements for completion of their training.

When not working in his Surgery or teaching colleagues, Andrew enjoys a busy family life in the local area – with his wife and two teenage children. He tries to squeeze in the odd game of golf, just to maintain the stereotype of a rural GP partner, but this requires considerable developmental activity before it can be described as wholly enjoyable.

Dr Victoria Murchie is a Primary Care Medical Educator – PCME on the Macclesfield training programme and can be contacted at v.murchie@nhs.net

Victoria has been a trainer for the past 7 years and has also been involved in running communication courses for trainees in this time. Victoria joined the Macclesfield education team in 2021 and is really enjoying working with trainees to acheive their full potential. Victoria has set up a community on Fourteen Fish for trainees to share resources and practice AKT style questions.

Victoria works as a GP Partner in Bramhall and has supervised numerous trainees, who have gone onto to become successful GP’s themselves. Victoria has a special interest in helping GP’s from more challenging backgrounds progress through the scheme to ensure that the GP’s of the future, are as diverse as the populations they work with.

Outside of work Victoria has 2 school aged children and is an active member of the school PTA. Victoria enjoys geocaching, escape rooms and crafting and is currently trying to learn kimekoni – the art of japanese fabric decorations.

Chris Hopley is the PGME Co-ordinator and is responsible for GPVTS administration. If you require information on study leave, teaching dates, general enquiries or any other assistance during your rotation please contact her on the email/telephone given below:
christine.hopley1@nhs.net or telephone 01625 663065