Medical Practitioners (Vocational Training) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1998

Regulation 6(5)

SCHEDULE 1 Text of Articles 30, 31(1) and 34 of the Medical Directive

Article 30

Each member state which dispenses the complete training referred to in Article 23 within its territory shall institute specific training in general medical practice meeting requirements at least as stringent as those laid down in Articles 31 and 32, in such a manner that the first diplomas, certificates or other evidence of formal qualifications awarded on completion of the course are issued not later than 1st January 1990.

Articles 31(1)

The specific training in general medical practice referred to in Article 30 must meet the following minimum requirements:

(a) entry shall be conditional upon the successful completion of a lest six years' study within the framework of the training course referred to in Article 23;

(b) it shall be a full-time course lasting at least two years, and shall be supervised by the competent authorities or bodies;

(c) it shall be practically rather than theoretically based; the practical instruction shall be given, on the one hand, for at least six months in an approved hospital or clinic with suitable equipment and services and, on the other hand, for at least six months in an approved general medical practice or in an approved centre where the doctors provide primary care; it shall be carried out in contact with other health establishments or structures concerned with general medical practice; however, without prejudice to the aforesaid minimum periods, the practical instruction may be given for a maximum period of six months in other approved health establishments or structures concerned with general medical practice;

(d) it shall entail the personal participation of the trainee in the professional activities and responsibilities of the persons with whom he works.

Article 34

1.  Without prejudice to the principle of full-time training laid down in Article 31(1)(b), member states may authorise specific part-time training in general medical practice in addition to full-time training where the following particular conditions are met:

• the total duration of training may not be shortened because it is being followed on a part-time basis,

• the weekly duration of part-time training may not be less than 60% of weekly full-time training,

• part-time training must include a certain number of full-time training periods, both for the training conducted at a hospital or clinic and for the training given in an approved centre where doctors provide primary care. These full-time training periods shall be of sufficient number and duration as to provide adequate preparation for the effective exercise of general medical practice.

2.  Part-time training must be of a level of quality equivalent to that of full-time training. It shall lead to a diploma, certificate or other evidence of formal qualification, as referred to in Article 30.

Regulation 9(2)

SCHEDULE 2 Competencies to be tested by Summative Assessment

The competencies to be tested by summative assessment are:

1.  factual medical knowledge which is sufficient to enable the practitioner to perform the duties of a general practitioner;

2.  the ability to apply factual medical knowledge to the management of problems presented by patients in general practice;

3.  effective communication, both orally and in writing;

4.  the ability to consult satisfactorily with general practice patients;

5.  the ability to review and critically analyse the practitioner’s own working practices and manage any necessary changes appropriately;

6.  clinical skills; and

7.  the ability to synthesise all of the above competencies and apply them appropriately in a general practice setting.

Regulation 9(5)

SCHEDULE 3 Information to be contained in Statements of Satisfactory Completion of Training

Part I Information to be contained in a statement of satisfactory completion of the prescribed experience as a General Practice (GP) Registrar

• Practitioner’s name and address

• GMC Full Registration number

• Dates between which training took place, and total duration of training in months

• Whether training was full-time or part-time, and if part-time, what ratio to full-time

• Name and practice address of trainer or trainers

• Statement that the practitioner has passed summative assessment

• Date of signatures required by regulation 9(5)(a)

Part II Information to be contained in a statement of satisfactory completion of a period of prescribed experience in a post falling within regulation 8

• Practitioner’s name and address

• GMC Full Registration number

• Dates between which training took place, and total duration of training in months

• Whether training was full-time or part-time, and if part-time, what ratio to full-time

• Name and practice address of hospital or community post

• Number of hospital or community post or other reference, where available

• Name of post and hospital grade, if appropriate.

• Speciality of post.

• Name, grade and professional address of doctor supervising training

• Statement of satisfactory completion of training

• Date of signatures required by regulation 9(5)(b)

Regulation 18

SCHEDULE 4 Revocations

(1)	(2)	(3)
Regulations revoked	References	Extent of revocation
General Medical Services Medical Practitioners (Vocational Training) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1979	S.R. 1979 No. 460	The whole Regulations
General Medical Services Medical Practitioners (Vocational Training) (Amendment) Regula-tions (Northern Ireland) 1986	S.R. 1986 No. 69	The whole Regulations
General Medical Services Medical Practitioners (Vocational Training) (Amendment No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1986	S.R. 1986 No. 309	The whole Regulations
General Medical Services Medical Practitioners (Vocational Training) (Amendment) Regula-tions (Northern Ireland) 1994	S.R. 1994 No. 499	The whole Regulations