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Home › General Practice › GP educators in Yorkshire and Humber › Become a GP educator in Yorkshire and Humber › Become an approved learning environment in Yorkshire and Humber › Requirements for becoming an approved learning environment

Requirements for becoming an approved learning environment

A learning environment is assessed against the NHSE quality framework.

Your local Training Hub will be able to advise you on how you can meet these criteria in your practice. 

All sites from which GP or foundation training takes place need to be approved as an educational site and registered with the GMC. The GP school team will arrange after the site is approved.

To receive payment for GP training your practice will need to sign an education funding agreement. This will be sent to your practice manager. Within that your practice will be committing to maintain the standards outlined in the quality framework.

Specifically for general practice see schedule 1 section 20 and 21

This will be monitored by a short self-declaration (SAR) which will be required annually

Supporting your GP registrar

As an approved learning environment, you'll provide the foundation for your GP registrar to develop into a confident, capable primary care professional. Here's what you need to know about the expectations for training.

Equipment and facilities provided for GP registrars

Your GP registrar needs the right facilities and equipment to carry out their role effectively. This includes providing a well-equipped consulting room that meets regulatory standards, along with essential medical equipment.

Doctor's bag equipment (minimum requirements):

  • diagnostics set (ophthalmoscope and otoscope)
  • sphygmomanometer
  • pulse oximeter
  • glucometer
  • peak flow meter
  • spacer for inhaler
  • tendon hammer
  • tape measure
  • tympanic thermometer

Your GP registrar should also have access to appropriate emergency drugs that can be used on visits, if necessary, in line with other GPs at the practice. You'll need a process for regularly checking these medications are in date, including any medication carried in the doctor's bag.

Induction

A well-planned induction programme is essential to help GP registrars integrate into the practice team. Whilst this is individual to your practice, it should include the following:

  • length of induction: At least two weeks for ST1/2 GP registrars new to general practice. For other GP registrars it can be shorter but should be at least one week and incorporate all essential elements
  • involvement of practice team members: Your GP registrar should meet practice team members from all teams, including reception, administration, nursing, pharmacy and advanced care practitioners, as well as GPs
  • involvement of wider primary health care team: Your GP registrar should meet other members of the primary health care team such as community nurses, health visitors and midwives
  • time for administration: Include time for practice induction to policies and procedures and learning how to use the clinical system
  • safeguarding: A face-to-face safeguarding briefing specific to the practice is essential. E-learning alone is not sufficient

Involvement in practice meetings

Involvement in practice meetings helps GP registrars develop their understanding of collaborative working and the business side of general practice. Your GP registrar should be invited to attend a range of meetings at the practice and be expected to attend regular practice and clinical meetings where possible. These meetings should be included in their timetable and can count as educational time.

Approved GP trainer requirements

Explore the specific criteria, responsibilities and application process involved in becoming an approved GP trainer, including providing effective supervision, delivering high-quality educational support, and meeting regulatory standards. Find the requirements you must fulfil to train and mentor a GP registrar successfully.

Application process

If you have any questions on the approval process further to the information provided on these pages, please contact the primary care school GP trainer approvals team.

Supporting your GP trainers

For additional guidance and resources tailored for GP trainers, please visit our dedicated GP trainer resources page.

Further information

Find out more about  becoming an approved learning environment, what the GP educator role involves, funding and support available for GP educators and the applications steps to become a GP educator in Yorkshire and Humber below:

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