FAQs

The Kent & Medway Primary Care Training Hub provides training and development opportunities to the multi-professional Primary Care workforce across Kent & Medway.

Click here for more information about the KMPCTH, our Mission / Vision / Values and Meet the team.

Just subscribe to Primary Care News, the Kent & Medway Primary Care Training Hub monthly newsletter to receive information about training and development opportunities.

Non-clinical staff (Practice Managers, Administrative staff or receptionists for instance) have access to a wide range of training and development offers.

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Training Hubs are funded by Health Education England (HEE) and NHS England (NHSE) to deliver key workstreams and initiatives, designed to support the recruitment, retention and development of the multidisciplinary Primary Care workforce. The allocation of funds is often determined nationally to implement specific programmes of work that have been identified as a need, to be tailored locally. These include workstreams such as the New to Practice Programme, Simulation-based Education in Primary Care and Fellowships. These programmes run across the country’s Training Hubs but are often delivered differently to meet the needs of the local workforce.

Training Hubs have the opportunity to bid for additional funding to deliver programmes of work that address local needs identified. These may include specific Continued Professional Development (CPD) training offers, such as Spirometry, Diabetes, Telephone Triage and Mental Health Awareness courses or leadership, mentoring and coaching opportunities. When commissioning these types of funded programmes, the Kent and Medway Primary Care Training Hub will consider the local population health needs and tailor the delivery of these initiatives to positively impact and influence the local workforce needs and patient care.

Where possible the Training Hub will look to fully fund the various initiatives we promote and will consider additional education bursaries to support the release of time to complete academic pathways. The Training Hub also accepts individual requests for funded development opportunities and have process in place for the Kent and Medway Primary Care workforce to apply for this funding. To view the various funded opportunities available please review our KMPCTH 23/24 offer and if you have any additional questions regarding these opportunities, please contact the team at kmicb.kmpcth@nhs.net

The New to Practice Programme is currently open to GPs, Practice Nurses, Nursing Associates, Pharmacists and Mental Health Practitioners. Please get in touch.

Face-to-face sessions are not recorded. Online sessions and webinars are recorded and available in Resources > Webinar recordings.

Your digital certificate will generate once you have submitted your digital feedback form. If you encounter any issues, please email kmicb.kmpcth@nhs.net

Check the PLT Calendar for dates until March 2024.

Check the PLT Calendar for dates from March 2024 to April 2025.

You should complete either the Pan London Practice Supervisor Modules or attend a meeting co-ordinated by Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU) or University of Greenwich (UoG).

If you are new to supervising you need to complete the PAN London Practice Assessor programme, and the 1 day course run by CCCU, and the competency document.

If you are a Nurse Mentor and need to complete the transition training you can either do the Pan London Practice Assessor half day update modules or attend a meeting co-ordinated by CCCU or UoG. For further information on either Practice Supervisor or Practice Assessor training please contact kmicb.kmpcth@nhs.net

Individuals interested in an Apprenticeship, or practices interested in developing and retaining their current workforce or recruiting external apprentices need to contact the Apprenticeship Lead at kmicb.kmpcth@nhs.net for more information.

Apprentices are employed Primary Care members of staff; there is no cost to them as the training is employer-led and there will be no salary loss to pursue an apprenticeship.

Depending on the total payroll bill of the organisation, employers could pay 5% or nothing towards the apprenticeships programme. Employers still need to cover the wages of the apprentice.

Apprenticeships are open to anyone aged 16 and over. Anyone over the age of 16 can access apprenticeship opportunities, at any level, from level 2-7, depending upon prior qualifications.

The New to Practice Programme is a national initiative designed to support newly qualified GPs (but also Practice Nurses and other practice roles)

The KMPCTH does not offer specific specialist training for GPs or Practitioners wishing to gain a qualification or experience in their chosen field. However a GP or Practitioner with additional training or qualification who undertakes activities beyond the scope of general practice could apply to gain their accreditation as a GP or Practitioner with Extended Role.

Fellowships opportunities are advertised on our website and monthly newsletter Primary Care News. GPs and relevant healthcare professionals interested in Fellowships may register their interest at any time by email to kmicb.kmpcth@nhs.net.

The Core level training is provided by Invicta Learning for all practice nurses, your Practice Manager can register for an account for you.

The HCSW should not perform tasks unless they are under direct supervision until the Care Certificate has been achieved. HCSWs who have achieved a Care Certificate can access training for phlebotomy or ECG’s but for more invasive procedures such as vaccinations for HCSW, ear irrigation and B12 etc. the gateway for the underpinning knowledge is either Supporting Training and Education in Primary care (STEP) or a QCF level 3 equivalent in Health and Social Care.

Whilst the KMPCTH does not deliver a dedicated basic training course for GPNs, the Fundamentals of Nursing is included in the New to Practice Programme for Nurses and Nursing Associates.

Some funds sit within individual Primary Care Networks, in the first instance please speak with your CEF Team.

The Training Hub does accept some requests for training, please speak with your locality Training Hub-Primary Care Workforce Lead.

The Training Hub will work with individuals and their employers to discuss opportunities for career development. There are Apprenticeship opportunities for all levels such as: Healthcare Support Workers, Trainee Nursing Associates, Nursing Associate top-up to Registered Nurse, Graduate Diploma (Enhanced Practice) and Advanced Practice.

Yes, the Training Hub supports Nurses to undertake their Independent Prescribing qualification and to obtain the prerequisites required prior to undertaking the course, (Successful Completion of an Enhanced or Advanced Clinical Consultation module at either Level 6 or 7).

Clinical supervision provides staff with an opportunity to reflect on their practice and identify areas of development where they could improve, change, or modify their practice. This supports the professional requirements of nurses to complete regular continuing professional development (CPD). Nurses have a specific requirement from the NMC to “practise effectively and keep their knowledge and skills up to date, taking part in appropriate and regular learning and professional development activities that aim to maintain and develop their competence and improve their performance” (NMC 2018) and is also part of their revalidation process.

Attendance of Clinical Supervision is on a quarterly basis of 1.5hrs per session.

Attend the 1-day Clinical Supervisor Study Day / Workshop in line with local and national guidance via the Kent and Medway Primary Care Training Hub (KMPCTH). To book a place on the Clinical Supervision Study Day / Workshop or for more information please contact: Rachael Heathfield – Primary Care Clinical Supervision Nurse Lead: rachael.heathfield@nhs.net

Yes, definitely; however certain programmes, such as apprenticeships, have a minimum hour expectation.

Locums will be accepted on most programmes; however some, such as GP Fellowships, will required GPs to be in a permanent position.

Flexibility can be considered in most programmes. Please contact the KMPCTH if a break in the programme is required.

Please contact the KMPCTH if you are struggling; the Peer Mentoring programme is a positive way to get support: kmicb.kmpcthmentoring@nhs.net

There are several programmes and initiatives to support the wellbeing and mental health of the Primary Care workforce; this includes mindfulness programmes. Please contact the KMPCTH for more information.

If you are interested in becoming a Training Practice, please contact the Training Hub on kmicb.kmpcth@nhs.net; the KMPCTH can help you understand what the requirements are. There is currently ongoing work to undertake a PCN accreditation for the learning environment so that the Practice will only have to determine the level of Supervisor/Assessor roles.

The KMPCTH can help and meet with you to discuss bespoke support for the practice, to help with workforce planning and staff recruitment depending on the practice’s requirements. The KMPCTH can also advise on de-biasing and values-based recruitment programme.

Community Education Facilitators are the PCN Educator leads who can support the Practice with learning and development needs. They are linked to the KMPCTH. The role can support educational audit in the practice supporting mentors in the clinical area and building a team of mentors to support learning in practice.

To organise bespoke training for your practice, please talk to your CEF and to the KMPCTH who will help with any queries and see how they can help meet your specific needs.