Considering a Career as a GP

What does a GP do?

Described as the "Gatekeeper to the NHS" in the past, the role of a GP is wide and varied. GPs provide care for people of all ages and work within a primary care team.

The journey to becoming a General Practitioner in Northern Ireland has many starting points. Some people enter GP Specialty training after completing Foundation Training. Others may train in another specilaty and then decide to train as a GP. If you are from outside the UK GP training programme then you can see some of the other routes below. More information available HERE

GPs are widely considered "expert generalists." A GP is also able to develop a formal special interest (GPwSI) or extended role (GPwER) allowing them to have the "best of both worlds".

Health Careers - General practice (GP)

Video courtesy of QUBGP Society and Ulster Image (ulsterimage.com)

  • The RCGP has produced a great poster showing the steps when applying to medical school. This includes exam qualifications needed. Don't forget that many students entering medical school in the UK have already completed a primary degree. These Graduate Entry Medical Schools (GEMS) have differing entry requirements and often are much broader. Additional information can be found at these links:

    • RCGP - Aspiring GPs - Get resources and tips & advice on qualifications, experience and skills to become a GP

  • Medical School training typically lasts 5-6 years. Courses around the UK vary but all have moved towards providing more time in General Practice.

    Queen's University Belfast's (QUB) C25 curriculum introduced in 2020 will see the doctors graduating in 2025 having spent 25% of their medical school training based in General Practice. Ulster University School of Medicine offers a 4 year graduate entry medical MBBS programme. A priority for this programme is to address the ongoing workforce shortage across the medical profession in Northern Ireland; specifically in General Practice, with approximately 30% of the curriculum being primary care-based. It aims to offer students GP role models and provide a positive and authentic experience of primary care for medical students.

    The RCGP has produced resources for medical students interested in a career in General Practice. 

    Most medical schools have GP societies. At QUB, this enthusiastic group of students run a wide range of unique and diverse events which have been facilitated virtually using Zoom during the pandemic. The society aims to promote General Practice as a career amongst Medical Students and to support Students academically during their time at University.

  • Many doctors are unsure as to what career path to follow. There are a range of resources that can help as you make this decision and they are included below:

    If you have trained outside the UK as a GP/family doctor, you will need to apply for a CEGPR (Certificate of Eligibility for GP Registration) from the GMC

    There is a Streamlined CEGPR process for those who have trained in the following countries - Australia, New Zealand, Canada, South Africa

    For those wishing to retrain from another medical specialty, more information is available at these links. You may be able to use some of the training you have completed already to count towards your GP training

    • Combined Training - The Combined Training pathways provide the opportunity for you to combine previous relevant experience with your GP training programme.

      Your previous experience may be from another UK specialty training programme, a substantive paid or SAS role, or relevant overseas experience above Foundation level or equivalent. The amount of time contributing can vary from 3 to 12 months depending on the breadth of your experience, the quality of evidence you can provide and your progress in the first six months of the GP training programme.