The GP retainer is expected to have a Clinical Supervisor but this does not need to be provided by a single person however the practice does need to identify the supervisor for each session. If there is more than one supervisor, the DPGPE needs to ensure that they are all competent and communicate with each other. Doctors who wish to move practices as a retainer must seek approval and submit a request detailing the reasons for leaving the existing retainer practice and details of the proposed new employment. Any practice that a retainer seeks to move to as a retainer must be an approved retainer practice or a training practice. Retrospective approval will not be granted. Application Procedure Retainers should complete the standard Doctor Retainer Scheme First Time Application Form which can be obtained from the HEEKSS website or by contacting the GP Workforce Development Manager, Dawn O’Grady on (020) 7415 3447 or emailing . Other documentation required for a first time application is: A letter explaining the reasons for wanting to join the GP Retainer Scheme Current CV Current GMC Certificate Certificate of completion of training as a GP Most recent Form 4 and PDP from NHS appraisal (if available) Proof of medical indemnity Potential Retainer Doctors must ensure that the practice they are looking to work with has received support from the PCA/PCSS and have been approved to be a Retainer Practice by HEEKSS. Once the application and supporting documents have been received at HEEKSS they will be checked and passed to the Associate Dean, Dr Hilary Diack for approval. Once approved, a confirmation letter will be sent to the retainer doctor and copied to the Practice and the PCA/PCSS to for claim payment. Where approval is not granted the applying doctor has the right of appeal which, in the first instance, should be directed to the Retainer Scheme Associate Dean, Hilary Diack. Where a potential retainer doctor remains unhappy with the decision a further appeal may be made to the Dean of Postgraduate GP Education, Professor Tavabie at HEEKSS, Crawley Hospital, RH11 7DH Once a doctor has been approved to join the Retainer Scheme they must re-apply to stay on the scheme on an annual basis. HEEKSS will send a reminder to the retainer 1 to 3 months before re-approval is due. The re-application process is explained below.
REAPPOINTMENT OF A DOCTOR TO THE GP RETAINER SCHEME The retainer must complete and return a Doctors’ Retainer Scheme Re-application Form on an annual basis. The form should be submitted together with: A covering letter re-stating personal circumstances Indication of future career intentions Form 4 and PDP from latest appraisal Upon receipt of the annual reapplication form, the details are reviewed by the appropriate deputy. The retainer is sent a letter confirming their reapplication, a copy of which is sent to the practice and the PCA/PCSS. When a doctor does not renew their application they are in breach of the terms and conditions of the retainer contract with HEEKSS. Failure to complete a reapplication form will also result in the practice not receiving the financial support afforded to them for supporting the retainer doctor. If a doctor wishes to leave the GP Retainer Scheme they must notify HEEKSS in writing. The letter should be sent to: Dawn O’Grady GP Workforce Development Manager HEEKSS – Primary Care Crawley Hospital, 3rd floor Red Wing West Green Drive, Crawley, RH11 7DH In order to minimise the impact on doctors and practices HEEKSS informs both retainer doctors and practices that re-application is due. TIME ON THE SCHEME Time on the scheme is limited and should be seen as a time for career development. The retainer is expected to return to a substantive post when they leave the scheme. The GP Retainer Scheme is normally limited to 5 years. This period of 5 years includes paid maternity leave In exceptional circumstances this can be extended at the Dean’s discretion by a further 3 years and rarely a further 2 years, with an absolute maximum of 10 years (including maternity leave). In recent years, a GP retainer coming to the end of five years on the scheme, who needed to continue to work on a part time basis, could face a significant career break if an extension was not granted. Two significant changes have occurred. Employees now gain employment rights after 12 months, which means that the default at the end of a five year retainer scheme would be for the GP Retainer to stay on as a practice employed GP.