Training

A GP Registrar or GP trainee is a qualified doctor who is training to become a GP through a period of working and training in a practice. They will usually have spent at least two years working in a hospital before you see them in a practice and are closely supervised by a senior GP or trainer. 

The GP registrar year is the last year of a 5-year training period to become a GP in the UK

Reviewed:  11/07/2025

In addition to medical students, we are a training practice for Foundation Year 2 (FY2) doctors. Doctor Shield is the supervising GP. The FY2 is a fully qualified, fully registered doctor who is in their second year of core training.  At the end of FY2 the trainee will decide on their preferred specialty, many chose a rotation in general practice as they are keen to become a GP.

FY2’s see patients by themselves, perform home visits, prescribe and investigate like any GP. They are able to see all clinical presentations and receive weekly education to enhance their knowledge. Please remember the FY2’s are still in training and so may ask for further advice from a senior clinician, if this is the case, please be reassured this is for your benefit.

We always welcome feedback on our trainees.

Reviewed:  11/07/2025

The team at St Andrew’s are passionate and dedicated to medical education, in particular inspiring students and junior trainees to move into General Practice. The team are actively involved with the formal training of medical students from Newcastle University with Dr Victoria Middleton as the lead.

Sometimes students may be sat in on your consultation; you should be informed of their presence prior to the appointment. The students are bound by patient confidentiality, but we understand that you may not be comfortable with their presence. If this is the case, please inform the reception team or clinician, on booking or before your consultation.

Most of our students are 4^th and final years that require lots of clinical experiences. The experiences are vital for the student’s ongoing education and development. You may be asked to see one of our students and we love if you would participate in their education. If you see or speak with one of the medical students, you will always receive a review by their supervising GP too. Feedback is essential for the students, and we welcome this as a practice.  

We understand that there may be occasions where you would prefer not to speak to or see a student. Please inform our admin team of this at the time of booking your appointment.

Reviewed:  11/07/2025

Recording consultations is an important part of training and development. The practices uses video recording for all levels of training as well as with our fully qualified clinicians for their ongoing professional development. You may be asked by our admin team if you would consent to your consultation being recorded. You are welcome to refuse to be recorded at any time and this will not prejudice your consultation.

Please be assured that the recording would only be reviewed by the clinician performing the consultation and their supervisor. Your recording will be stored securely in line with data protection laws and kept for no longer than 3 months. 

Reviewed:  11/07/2025

Most staff training is arranged so that it does not impact the service to our patients.  However, the surgery will close one afternoon per month (normally at 1230 pm) for staff training.  Notices will appear in the surgery, this website and on our Facebook page.

The remaining training dates for 2025 are:

• • 24 July 2025
  • 25 September 2025
  • 23 October 2025

When the surgery is closed call NHS 111 for free where you will be referred to the right healthcare professional, as close to your home as possible.

Please remember to ‘Talk before you Walk’ – dial NHS 111 first, as you must have an appointment to be seen in one of the primary care service/ hubs.

In a genuine emergency you should call 999. Chest pains and / or shortness of breath constitute an emergency.  

Reviewed:  11/07/2025