We are proud to be a training practice and believe that this helps us to maintain the high standards of care you come to expect of us.  Training helps with the recruitment of quality GPs into the practice and into Gateshead.

Registrar Training

We normally have two or three registrars in the practice at any one time.

Registrars are fully qualified doctors who are gaining more experience, under supervision in order to obtain accreditation as independent GPs. In order to gain as much different experience as possible, they usually only remain at a practice for six months at a time.

From time to time they may request your permission to video their consultation with you. This may be for training purposes or to prove to the accrediting body that they are ready to become GPs. You have the right to refuse permission at any time - it will not affect your care in any way. However, this is a valuable training tool (frequently used by the regular doctors for continuing professional development.) The videos remain strictly confidential and are only seen by GPs within the practice or by examiners; they are destroyed after use.

Medical Student Teaching

We are involved in the teaching of medical students from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne.

Occasionally we may ask patients if they would be kind enough to help the teaching by speaking to the students about their experience of their illness.

From time to time, students may sit in with a doctor during surgery. You will always be told if a doctor has a student sitting in with them and you have the right to ask to see the doctor without the student present. Simply inform the receptionists of your wish prior to your appointment. Your care will not be affected in any way.