Introduction

Lewisham GP specialty training scheme is a three year training programme. Years ST1 and ST2 consist of six four month posts in a variety of hospital and community specialties as well as general practice. The ST3 year is based in a training practice. The community posts are a distinctive feature of the Lewisham scheme and include community paediatrics, community psychiatry, community reproductive and sexual health and palliative care at St Christopher’s Hospice. Three of the rotations include public health.

All three years are integrated and cohesive:

• Trainees from all three years are invited to attend the weekly half day release educational sessions and most specialties allow this. All specialties release GP trainees for the away-days that are held each term.
  
  
• Trainees’ educational supervisors for the whole three years are usually the GP trainers they will be attached to for their final ST3 year in General Practice. This allows trainees to develop a relationship with their trainer and have continuity and support throughout all three years, even when in hospital posts.
  
  
• The Programme Directors, the hospital tutors and the GP trainers have regular meetings to ensure that the whole scheme is cohesive and relevant to General Practice.