The Continuing Practice team seek to support and advise local GPs whose clinical performance is causing concern or who have been identified as having additional needs.  We respond to self-referrals and to requests from other organisations, including the General Medical Council (GMC) and the National Clinical Assessment Service (NCAS).

We have a strong working partnership with NHS England (Cumbria and North East) to offer assessment, advice, education and remediation.  This area is developing further as we strive to detect problems early and offer timely interventions where required.

Our focus is to facilitate and deliver targeted support, contributing to the rehabilitation and ongoing professional development of the local GP workforce.  This work is undertaken in addition to the GPs Personal Development Plan (PDP) and specific educational prescriptions are devised and refined.  These facilitate the implementation of any necessary remedial work.

Our work is underpinned by our drive to promote high quality primary healthcare and by our duty to ensure patient safety.  The needs of the patients and their safety guide our responses and actions in this often very complex area.  If you have any questions or need any further information, please contact our Head of Continuing Practice, Dr Iain lawther.