GP Register - Frequently Asked Questions

Background

What is the GP Register?

A register of all those eligible to work in general practice (apart from doctors in training such as GP registrars) in the UK health service. It came into effect at midnight on 31 March 2006.

Who needs to be on the GP Register?

Doctors must be on the GP Register to be eligible to work as GPs in the UK health service. This includes locums but excludes doctors in training such as GP registrars.

Entry in the GP Register is evidence that a doctor's qualification is acceptable in the UK.

What is the purpose of the GP Register? What are the benefits?

The GP Register is one of a package of measures aimed at making the medical Register a more useful and transparent resource for the public, the profession and employers.

It will provide a number of benefits. In particular, employers and contracting authorities, and patients and the public, will for the first time have access to a definitive, and comprehensive, national register of doctors who are eligible to work as GPs.

How is this different from the Specialist Register?

The GP Register focuses on doctors who are eligible to work as general practitioners and is separate from the Specialist Register. To be appointed as a consultant in the UK health service a doctor must be on the Specialist Register.

How is this different from Medical Performers Lists?

Medical performers lists are held locally and used for local regulation purposes. The Performers Lists Regulations allow PCOs to regulate the performance of primary medical services in their areas. Under the Regulations, PCOs have the power to prevent a GP from performing services (through suspension or removal from a list), and place restrictions/conditions on a performer's position on a list.

Admission to a list is based on the following 4 criteria:

a) Whether the doctor is suitably experienced.

b) Whether the doctor is suitably qualified.

c) Whether the doctor is an appropriate person to deliver health care and treatment to the PCO's patients.

d) Whether the doctor is free from regulatory body sanctions, PCT suspensions or national disqualification.

Doctors need to be on the GP Register before they can go on to a medical performers List. But it is only one requirement for admission to a performers list.

NHS Employers provide guidance on the checks PCTs should undertake

Click here for details of the GMC's own identity checks and for employer guidance.

Performers lists also record which performers are contractors, doctors in training (ie GP Registrars and trainee doctors with limited or full registration on the second part of their foundation training), and armed forces GPs. The GP Register does not contain this information.

Applying to be entered on the GP Register

How do doctors apply?

If you hold full registration and want to join the GP Register, please see our GP registration guidance.

If you do not hold full registration, and want to join the GP register, you should make your application for GP registration when you make your application for full registration. For more information, please see our guidance on registration applications.

How long will the application process take?

We will assess doctors' applications for registration as quickly as possible.

If for any reason we cannot process an application, we will explain why. Applicants will hear from us within five working days.

Is there any charge for entry in the GP Register?

No, entry in the GP Register is free of charge

Eligibility for the Register

Who is eligible to be entered on the GP Register?

Doctors are entitled to have their name included in the GP Register if they are

a. A Registered medical practitioner, and

b. Satisfy one of a number of criteria for inclusion (set out below).

A person is eligible for inclusion on the Register if he/she meets one or more of the following criteria as listed under Article 11 of the General and Specialist Medical Practice (Education, Training and Qualifications Order 2003):

a) Hold a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) in General Practice (awarded by PMETB after 30 September 2005) A link has been established between the GMC and PMETB via which the PMETB will inform the GMC of all GPs that receive CCTs.

b) Hold a vocational training certificate with the corresponding professional title or a certificate of acquired rights issued in an EEA state other than the UK with title IV of the Directive and is a national of an EEA state, or a person with enforceable rights in terms of access to and the practice of the medical profession

c) Is a national of an EEA state, or a person with enforceable rights in terms of access to and the practice of the medical profession and Holds a vocational training certificate awarded by a member state, accompanied by a certificate of the competent authorities of that state to the effect that the qualification was awarded following training in accordance with the relevant provisions of Title IV of the Directive and is treated by that state as if it were a qualification set out under the heading related to the state

d) Holds a certificate of prescribed experience issued by JCPTGP

e) Holds a certificate of equivalent experience issued by JCPTGP

f) Has undertaken training in general practice, or have been awarded qualifications in general practice and has satisfied the JCPTGP (PMETB) that the training is, or those qualifications are, or both when considered together are, equivalent to a CCT in general practice.

g) Is exempt from the need to have acquired the prescribed experience by virtue of regulation 5 (1) (a), (b), (c), or (f) of the: -

• National Health Service (Vocational Training for General Medical Practice) Regulations 1977
• Medical Practitioners (Vocational Training) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1998
• National Health Service (Vocational Training for General Medical Practice) Regulations (Scotland) 1998

h) Has an acquired right because

i) On 15 February 1981 his / her name was included in a medical list.

ii) On 15 February 1981 an application pursuant to section 30 of the Act had not been finally determined, but in consequence of its final determination his / her name was later included in a medical list.

iii) His / her name was included in a medical list by virtue of his / her having made an application within nine years after 15 February 1981 in a case where his / her name was not included in such a list on 15 February 1981, but had been so included before that day.

iv) In respect of an application for his / her name to be included in a medical list for the provision of general medical services limited to:

• Child surveillance services only
• Contraceptive services only
• Maternity medical services only
• Minor surgery services only or
• Any combination of the services mentioned in paragraphs (i) to (iv)

But only if the applicant's name was included in a medical list on 31 December 1994 for the provision of general medical services limited in a way which included those specified in the application

If s/he: -

(i) is entitled to be Registered under section 3 of the Medical Act 1983 as a fully Registered medical practitioner by virtue of subsection (1) (b) or 2 of that section and

(ii) was established in the UK on 31 December 1994 by virtue of the primary European qualification giving rise to that entitlement

i) If s/he holds a vocational training certificate or a certificate of acquired rights issued in an EEA state other than the UK which must in his / her case be recognised in the UK by virtue of the Medical Directive (whether or not as read with the EEA Agreement) or by virtue of any enforceable Community right.

What is an “acquired right”?

A person has acquired rights if: -

a) On 31 December 1994 his / her name was included in a medical list kept by a FHSA or in any corresponding list kept by a Health Board in Scotland or by the Northern Ireland Central Services Agency for the Health and Social Services in Northern Ireland

b) On 31 December 1994 s/he was suitably experienced within the meaning of section 31 of the 1977 Act (requirement of suitable experience), section 21 of the 1978 Act (requirement of suitable experience), or Article 8 of the Health and Personal Social Services (Northern Ireland) Order 1978 (requirement of suitable experience) other than by virtue of-

(i) Regulation 8(1) (e) of the 1979 regulations, regulation 8(1) (e) of the 1980 regulations or regulation 7(1) (d) of the 1979 Northern Ireland Regulations (exemption for applications to be a restricted services principal), or

(ii) Regulation 8(1) of the 1979 regulations, regulation 8(1) of the 1980 regulations or regulation 7(1) of the 1979 Northern Ireland Regulations (exemption for doctors who are EC Nationals)

Even if on that date s/he had yet to obtain a certificate of prescribed or equivalent experience under any of those Regulations.

c) On 31 December 1994 s/he was established in the UK by virtue of a qualification in medicine awarded in an EEA State other than the UK which had in his / her case to be recognised in the UK by virtue of directive (whether or not as read with the EEA Agreement), or by virtue of any enforceable Community right, under section 3 of the Medical Act (registration by virtue of primary UK or primary European qualifications) as a fully Registered medical practitioner, or

d) On at least 10 days in the period of 4 years ending with 31 December 1994, or on at least 40 days in the period of 10 years ending with that date, s/he had-

(i) Been engaged as deputy by, or provided as a deputy to, a doctor whose name was included in the medical list of an FHSA or in any corresponding list kept by a Health Board in Scotland or by the Northern Ireland Central Services Agency for the Health and Social Services in Northern Ireland, or

(ii) Been employed as an assistant (other than as a trainee general practitioner) by such a doctor.

What should retired doctors, or doctors taking a career break, do?

Doctors who are not currently on a medical performers list but think they may wish to practise as a GP in the UK health service in future, and who consider they are eligible for entry in the GP Register, can apply by completing an application form.

What about GP Registrars?

GP Registrars need to join a medical performers list, but do not need to be on the GP Register to complete their training. They will be eligible for inclusion in the GP Register once they have completed their training and hold a CCT, or are awarded a certificate of equivalence, from PMETB.

Do locums need to be on the GP Register?

Yes, if they work or wish to work as a GP in the UK health service.

Other questions

What about the T(GP) indicator in entries in the Medical Register?

Entry in the GP Register will replace the T(GP) indicator.

How do I access the GP Register?

By clicking here: Access the GP Register.

Isn't the fact that it doesn't contain GP registrars confusing for patients?

Only fully trained and qualified GPs will be entered in the GP Register.

Until GPs are issued with a CCT from the PMETB, they must work in accredited practices under supervision. GP Registrars treat patients, but only under supervision.

Can doctors who don't want or need to be on the GP Register still practise?

As long as doctors are on the Medical Register, they can practise in the UK health service and exercise the other privileges of registration. Doctors need to be on the GP Register if they are practising as GPs in the UK health service.

What should managers of performers lists do?

You need to check that any new doctors applying to join your performers list are on the GP Register. You can do this, and conduct other essential pre-employment registration checks, by contacting the GMC.

See our factsheet 'Employing a doctor' for further information.