GP Recruitment 2011/2012

Here are details on the GP recruitment process for 2011/2012.

GPST STAGE ONE - The Initial Application

The very first stage in the recruitment process for GP specialist training consists of an online application form. Used to assess    your eligibility in regards to the basic eligibility criteria as laid out by the NRO the form requires mainly personal, qualification and professional career information, as opposed to establishing your clinical competencies which is assessed in Stage 2. For the 2011 entry online applications be submitted from 14^th November until 9^th December and each applicant can apply only ONCE, indicating in preference order up to 4 Deaneries they would like to work for.

Application Criteria

2011/12  Applicants registering at this initial stage are assessed on the following eligibility criteria:

Applying to Deaneries

Due to the highly competitive nature of GP Specialist Training, choosing which deaneries to preference is a decision not to be taken lightly. Deaneries not only have differences in their available programmes, but also vastly differing competition ratios. The London area deaneries average 3 applicants to every vacancy, compared with 1.5 Applicants to each vacancy elsewhere, making it imperative applicants consider their own abilities in such a competitive environment, as well as geographical preferences.

Choosing your deaneries

Although as an applicant you can only make one GPST application, you get the opportunity to choose 4 deaneries whereby you would like to be based, and state them in preference order. Deaneries vary massively and as this is where you will work and be based for 3 years, it is important to make the right decisions at this part of the process. Factors such as geographical area, transport links, types of programmes offered, and Trusts in the deanery area, are all important considerations when choosing your preferences.

Competition ratios

Although we would like everyone to be able to have their preference deanery, GPST application is highly competitive, varying by geographical area. The following chart demonstrates the geographical differences in the competition ratios throughout the last few years of recruitment rounds.

Based upon first choice deanery preferences, the table clearly demonstrates London and Northern Ireland continue to remain the most competitive deaneries to apply for. However with Deanery areas being so large it is possible to make tactical applications by choosing a bordering area with schemes that are within your preference area; such as choosing KSS instead of London for a south London scheme.