The Postgraduate Medical Education Training Board (PMETB) and the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) are urging trainee doctors to apply now if they want to receive their GP certificates in time to take up post on 8 February 2007.
January is one of two traditional ‘peaks’ in GP certification, with the other occurring around June. Although the volume of applications tends to be less than during the summer rush, PMETB still managed to process nearly 700 GP certificates within a seven day period in the previous January ‘bulge’.
As part of the drive to raise awareness, the Royal College of General Practitioners has issued a reminder letter and an application checklist to encourage all completing GP trainees to register.
Highlighting the importance of making applications in good time, RCGP Chairman Professor Mayur Lakhani said:
“Over the next few weeks over 700 doctors are due to complete GP registrar training. The Royal College of General Practitioners and PMETB will be working together closely to ensure that all doctors who have completed training are issued with certificates and entered on the GP Register in time to begin practising.”
Applicants can apply for their certificate up to three months prior to the end of their GP training programme. Once PMETB has received their application, along with information sent by the Royal College of General Practitioners, the application will be assessed.
Paul Streets, Chief Executive of PMETB said:
“Without PMETB approval, doctors are unable to practise as GPs. Therefore, it is imperative that trainees act now. If they do not submit their applications very soon, there will be no guarantee that we can assess their application in time to enable them to start work on 8 February 2007.”
-ENDS-
Notes to Editors
GP Certification
CCT applicants (previously JCPTGP certificates of prescribed experience)
In order to ensure that their application is processed, trainees need to submit their final VTR form, along with a copy of their current GMC registration certificate to the RCGP certification unit. At the same time, they should send a PMETB application form directly to PMETB with the correct fee. GP CCT application forms are available from RCGP certification unit.
CEGPR (Article 11 applicants – previously JCPTGP certificates of equivalent experience).
Application forms can be downloaded from our website and should be submitted to PMETB as soon as possible. If prior approval has been granted by the JCPTGP for part of the training programme trainees are advised to enclose a copy of the JCPTGP letter and confirm that we can access their old JCPTGP file for the necessary evidence. Further detailed guidance is on our website.
Further information and guidance about completing GP registration can be found on the RCGP website at www.rcgp.org.uk
PMETB
PMETB is an independent statutory body, responsible for overseeing and promoting the development of postgraduate medical education and training for all specialties, including general practice, across the UK.
It assumed its statutory powers on 30 September 2005 taking over the responsibilities of the Specialist Training Authority of the Medical Royal Colleges (STA) and the Joint Committee on Postgraduate Training for General Practice (JCPTGP).
Royal College of General Practitioners
The Royal College of General Practitioners is the largest membership organisation in the United Kingdom solely for GPs.
It aims to encourage and maintain the highest standards of general medical practice and to act as the “voice” of GPs on issues concerned with education; training; research; and clinical standards.
Founded in 1952, the RCGP has over 24,000 members who are committed to improving patient care, developing their own skills and promoting general practice as a discipline.
PMETB media contact: Adam Toms: 020 7160 6132 or adam.toms@pmetb.org.uk
