Teaching and Training
Last Updated: Friday, 27 February 2026As a training practice, we regularly support a range of learners who are developing their skills. This includes, but is not limited to, medical students, trainee pharmacists and GP Registrars. All learners are supervised by our clinical team, and their involvement helps shape the next generation of healthcare professionals.
We are guided by the principles of the Safe Learning Environment Charter, which ensures that learning within the practice is respectful, safe and centred around high quality patient care.
All learners are governed by the same confidentiality agreement as the rest of the team, dictating the strict conditions under which your privileged data can be processed.
What this means for patients
If a learner is involved in your care, whether face to face or during a telephone consultation, you will always be told at the start and asked for your permission. This might include:
• A learner sitting in and observing the consultation
• A learner leading part of the consultation under supervision
• A GP Registrar providing your appointment
• A learner being present during clinical discussions or follow up
• GP Registrars occasionally video recording consultations as part of their assessment (you will always be asked in advance and can change your mind later)
Your Choice
Your involvement is entirely optional.
If you prefer not to have a learner present or involved in your care, you can say so at any time - before or during the appointment. Your decision will not affect the care you receive in any way.
We want you to feel comfortable, respected and fully in control of your healthcare experience while also helping us support high quality training for future clinicians.
Types of Learners
Final-Year Medical Students
Final year medical students are in the last year of a 5 year medical degree but are not yet qualified doctors. These students are gaining supervised experience in general practice to prepare for working as junior doctors after graduation. They may observe your consultation, take a history, or carry out parts of the appointment under the supervision of a qualified clinician. You will always be told if a final year student is involved in your care, and it is entirely your choice whether you are happy for them to be present.
Foundation Year Doctors (FY1 and FY2)
Foundation Year Doctors have completed their 5 year medical degree and are fully qualified. They are completing a two year national training programme (FY1 and FY2),working under supervision while gaining experience in different areas of the NHS. Foundation Doctors may observe consultations, carry out parts of your appointment, or be involved in your follow up care. As with all learners, you will always be told beforehand and can decline their involvement if you wish.
GP Registrars (ST1, ST2 and ST3)
GP Registrars are qualified doctors who have completed foundation training and are now specialising in General Practice. They may be in ST1, ST2 or ST3, depending on their stage of training.
Registrars work as part of our clinical team, providing appointments, issuing prescriptions, reviewing blood results, and managing a wide range of health needs under the supervision of our GPs. Some consultations may be video‑recorded for training purposes - you will always be asked in advance, and you can decline or change your mind afterwards.
Pharmacists
Trainee pharmacists may be present during face-to-face or telephone consultations. Pharmacists complete a four-year Master’s degree in Pharmacy followed by a supervised foundation training year before registering as independent professionals. We host foundation year pharmacists who have chosen to do this in general practice rather than in community pharmacy or hospital trusts. They may support medication reviews, long term condition management and safe prescribing processes. As with all learners, you will always be informed if a pharmacist in training is involved in your care, and you can choose whether or not you are happy for them to be present.
Other Healthcare Learners
You may also meet students from a variety of healthcare professions who are completing placements in general practice. These can include nursing students, healthcare assistant (HCA) trainees, and other health professionals at different stages of their training. Their placements help them develop essential skills in patient care, communication and working within primary care teams. Depending on their training level, they may observe consultations, carry out basic assessments or take part in aspects of your care under the close supervision of a qualified clinician. As with all learners, we will always tell you if a healthcare student is involved in your appointment, and you can choose whether or not you are happy for them to be present.