ABSTRACT
Deaneries have an important role to play in supporting general practitioners (GPs) whose performance has been identified as being below that which is required to provide an acceptable standard of service delivery in primary care. GP deaneries are the organisations that provide education and training for the GP workforce, both locally in the primary care trusts (PCTs) and centrally through continuing professional development (CPD) initiatives, both clinically and educationally based. The tutor network provides the link at local levels between the deanery, PCTs and GP CPD. Traditionally, tutors have been providers of continuing medical education for GPs, but latterly they have moved towards a more strategic involvement in educational provision for primary care at PCT level. The challenge with performance work is found in the complexities of the problems confronted, in individuals who are often demotivated, lacking in insight and divorced from the process of reflective practice and learning.
