ABSTRACT
In general practice nearly one-third of doctors undertake professional duties as freelance and salaried general practitioners (GPs), including those on the GP Retainer Scheme and Flexible Career Scheme. The GP Retainer Scheme is open to any GP who has a Joint Committee on Postgraduate Training for General Practice certificate or is able to demonstrate acquired rights and intends to return to a career in general practice. All GPs on the scheme need to demonstrate they have undertaken continuing professional development and produce a personal development plan. Retainees undertake 28 hours of paid education annually, and three hours of this includes educational supervision within the practice. When joining a practice, the newly appointed retainee should be provided with a practice information pack and an induction programme. Information should include times and dates of practice meetings, current practice audit and in-house educational programmes.
