Starting work or training in general practice can feel exciting, but also overwhelming. Alongside developing your clinical skills, you’ll also need to learn about systems within your practice, medico-legal responsibilities and protecting your wellbeing.  

This checklist is designed to help GP trainees, newly qualified GPs and early-career doctors feel more confident and build good habits from day one.

1) Get the basics right

Check you have access to all the equipment you need both in the surgery and for home visits. Some practices will have a dedicated equipment bag for home visits, but check it’s ready for use. If you’re hot desking or regularly sharing equipment with colleagues, consider whether purchasing your own would be more practical.

2) Get to know your colleagues

This is so important but often overlooked. GPs are often extremely busy, but making time to speak to everyone in the practice will help you build strong, supportive relationships from the outset. It’s worth remembering that if you are struggling with a particular case, most experienced colleagues are likely to have come across something similar before and could offer valuable insight and support.

3) Meet with your practice manager or lead partner

They will help to run through systems within the practice, such as GDPR or their approach for private reports and letters. Check the system for contacting patients about investigation results and clinical correspondence to ensure no results are missed.

4) Check who holds specialist roles

Make yourself familiar with the Caldicott Guardian and Safeguarding Lead within the practice.

5) Get to know the area

If you’ve moved to a new area, find out what's available. The practice's social prescriber can introduce you to local community and voluntary sector services available to patients. Familiarise yourself with local referral pathways and hospital contact details, including any GP direct access lines.

6) Mind the gap

Make sure you understand exactly what your indemnity arrangements cover. While NHS work is generally covered by CNSGP, many practices offer private services that require separate indemnity. MDU membership also includes access to a 24-hour advice line where medico-legal advisers provide advice on issues such as coroners' inquiries and patient complaints. Ask the practice if they have a MDU Groupcare scheme, which offers savings on membership and exclusive benefits for the whole team. It’s free to set up and when a GP practice joins, each individual doctor, nurse and practice manager will benefit. 

7) Ensure your annual Basic Life Support (BLS) training is up to date

Your practice will usually organise this, but find out whether you need to book it yourself.

8) Review your CPD requirements

It’s important to check with the practice which CPD modules are mandatory for your role. It’s also worth finding out if your local hospital trust runs regular CPD sessions for new or existing GPs.

9) Record your CPD

Set up a system for regularly recording CPD. This may be following regular practice meetings or discussions with peers. Taking the opportunity to regularly record reflections from the practice meeting can help you keep on top of your CPD.

10) Review your appraisal requirements

Check when your appraisal should take place and who your appraiser is, so you can contact them in advance to arrange the meeting.

10 essential tips for first-year GPs