Becoming a Trainer/Training Practice FAQs
1. What is a Learning Environment (LE)?
A Learning Environment (LE) is one that provides training for GP residents and has one or more approved trainers. Only NHS England approved LEs can train GP trainees. Practices can also be approved for other types of training (medical students, GP retainers, returners and foundation doctors) but we would encourage all practices to be approved to the standards of an LE in the West Midlands.
If your practice is not yet accredited as an approved LE, it will need to be reviewed by your local Training Hub to ensure that the facilities and learning environment provided by the practice meet the necessary standards - you can find the details for your local Hub on our website. The approval process is facilitated by a Training Hub’s Multi-Disciplinary Assessment Team (MDAT). The recommendation for approval is ratified by NHSE by a Quality Recognition and Recommendation Panel (QRRP)
Training Hub Multi-Disciplinary Assessment Team (MDAT)
The Training Hub MDAT consists of a minimum of three members and must include at least one of the following: the Training Hub Quality Lead, Clinical Lead, or GPN Lead. Additional members may include a representative from a Higher Education Institution (HEI), Clinical Ambassador, GP Associate Dean (AD), Training Programme Director (TPD), learner representative, or a Practice Manager from an approved Learning Environment. The specific requirements, timeframes, and support will be confirmed by your local Training Hub.
Quality Recognition and Recommendation Panel (QRRP)
The QRRP is facilitated by NHSE and convenes on a monthly basis. The panel includes the Chair (NHSE Senior Business Manager), a Primary Care Dean (PCD) or Primary Care Associate Dean (PCAD), a GP Head of School, and a representative from a non-medical professional group, and reviews newly approved training sites to confirm additions/changes to rotations for Midlands training programmes.
2. How do I become a trainer?
Normally, you need to have been on the National Performers’ List for a minimum of 3 years, be permanently based at an NHS England approved training site, work a minimum of 4 clinical sessions per week at that site (5 if a solo-trainer) and hold the MRCGP qualification. You will also need to successfully complete an NHS England approved GP trainer's course and be approved by the Area GP Education Committee before you can be accredited. We recommend that you speak to other nearby GP trainers, your locality Training Programme Directors and attend the local trainers’ workshop. They will explain what is involved. You should also make contact with your Area Associate Dean (AD), who will review and approve your application to become a trainer.
To register for a West Midlands Train the Trainer course, please complete our online form.
Once you have successfully completed the Train the Trainer course, please complete the online form to apply to be recognised as a Midlands Educational Supervisor. You will receive an email confirming receipt of your application, then need to follow the below steps (also outlined in the confirmation email):
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Complete the Multi-professional Educator Approval (M-PEAT) self-assessment form (which will be attached to your email confirmation), and return it to the Associate Dean who will review your application (who will also be copied into your email confirmation).
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You will also be required to provide additional documents to the Associate Dean ahead of your formal review, including:
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A valid Equality and Diversity certificate (or other evidence of completion),
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A copy/copies of relevant supervisor course certificates,
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Your weekly supervisor timetable demonstrating protected time for teaching and supervision,
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Organisational induction booklet
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Induction timetable for resident doctors
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Weekly timetable for doctors
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Arrange a formal review meeting with the Associate Dean.
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After the meeting, the Associate Dean will share their report and, if appropriate, confirm their recommendation to the Midlands Primary & Community Care team to update the GMC register and ePortfolio.
3. What is the financial remuneration of becoming a trainer?
Practices with a trainee in-post receive a trainer’s grant. Trainers are paid for some educational supervision duties and may be eligible for professional development payments.
4. Do I need any further qualifications?
We encourage you to consider studying for a PG Cert in Medical Education as part of your professional development as a GP educator however this is optional.
5. What is educational supervision?
The completion of the RCGP ePortfolio is central to the workplace based assessment of GP trainees. The trainer to whom they will be attached in their final (ST3) year of their training usually becomes the educational supervisor from the start of their training. This involves remote monitoring of their ePortfolio and meeting every six months to carry out a formal review of the ePortfolio entries, make judgments about their progress towards the required competencies and complete an Educational Supervisor's Report (ESR).
6. What about continuing professional development?
Regular attendance at your local trainers’ workshop is helpful as you can share ideas and gain support from other new trainers and those with more experience. There are also regular trainers' study days organised by your local Associate Dean.
7. Where can I obtain further information?
Please contact the Primary & Community Care Team at