ABSTRACT
The concept of higher professional education (HPE) for newly qualified GPs has been established for a number of years. HPE may be considered as the provision of additional supervision and support to help newly qualified GPs in the transition from GP registrar to established independent practice as a GP principal or non-principal. In 1998 the Committee of General Practice Education Directors (COGPED) published its report on HPE. The important issue identified in the report was the provision of ongoing educational support at the start of a new GP's career to enhance both competence and confidence. New government funding for HPE came onstream on 1 October 2001, to be managed by Directors of Postgraduate General Practice Education (DsPGPE), and deaneries are developing their support systems to reach the target group of new GPs. Part of the HPE structure is the HPE team.
