Becoming a GP Trainer

GPs must attend courses before they can obtain the roles of GP educational supervisor, ‘out of hours’ clinical supervisor or foundation/retainer supervisor.

The following courses have been tailor-made to provide Wessex primary care Educational and Clinical Supervisors with the skills to develop, supervise and train trainees throughout their clinical training and induction into surgeries:

GP Clinical Supervisors:

  • GP Clinical Supervisors – In-Practice (Retainer/F2) Course
  • GP Clinical Supervisors – In-Practice (Retainer/F2) Refresher Course
  • GP Clinical Supervisors – Out-of-Practice (out of hours) Course
  • GP Clinical Supervisors – Out-of-Practice (out of hours) Refresher Course

GP Educational Supervisors:

  • GP Trainers – Modular Course for Prospective GP Trainers
  • GP Trainers – New Trainer Course
  • GP Trainers – Experienced Trainer Course

Optional Courses:

  • GP Clinical Supervisors – Enhanced Clinical Supervisor Course
  • GP Clinical Supervisors – Supervising Non-Doctor Health Professionals
  • GP Trainers – Small Group Skills Masterclass
  • GP Trainers – Trainers of Trainees Needing Professional Support
  • GP Trainers – Practical ePortfolio Update (the good, the bad and the ugly)

How to book

Courses can be booked via the Wessex Intrepid Course Manager system. For further booking assistance, please contact PDU.WX@hee.nhs.uk

GP Trainer Provisional / First Approval

  1. Prospective trainer contacts their Patch Office
  2. Prospective trainer completes Prospective Trainers Course (6 day modular course)
  3. Prospective trainer completes first assignment of PG Cert in Medical Education
  4. Prospective trainer ensures Equality and Diversity certificate obtained within last 3 years
  5. Prospective trainer completes application form, which is sent in to Patch Office
  6. Practice visit completed by Patch Office


The patch office submits the visit report to Health Education Wessex.

Following approval, the new trainer has a maximum of two years in which to:

a) Complete 1 year’s training (if not possible within the approved two years, apply   
for extension through patch office – see ‘extensions’ below)
b) Attend New Trainers Course
c) Complete First PG Cert Assessment

After this they have to apply for reapproval, which is normally granted for 3 years.

Becoming a Foundation Clinical supervisor

The Foundation Programme Curriculum sets out the framework for educational progression that will support the first two years of professional development following graduation from medical school.

The aim is to give the F2 doctor a meaningful experience in General Practice, coupled with the opportunity of
gaining a greater understanding of the particular challenges of primary care.

  1. Prospective F2 clinical supervisor contacts their Patch Office
  2. Prospective F2 clinical supervisor completes the F2 Clinical Supervisor course(2 day course)
  3. Prospective F2 clinical supervisor ensures Equality and Diversity certificate obtained within last 3 years
  4. Prospective trainer completes application form, found on the HEE website, which is sent in to Patch Office
  5. Practice visit completed by Patch Office


The patch office submits the visit report to Health Education Wessex.