The GP Specialty Training Programmes in Cardiff are a part of a long established scheme which has proved popular with trainees over the years and from which trainees have been successful both in their pass rates of the MRCGP exam and their future careers. We have 60 or so trainees on our programmes at any one time, 18 GP practices with at least 27 trainers and 8 hospital specialties with several clinical supervisors. The programme is based in Cardiff, the capital city of Wales and University and school of Medicine. It boasts an abundance of cultural as well as international sporting opportunities. It is the home to the Millennium Stadium and the newly developed Cardiff Bay where the Welsh Assembly Government is based. The attractive Welsh coastline and the Brecon Beacons National Park are conveniently close. Many trainees upon completion of their training are happy to settle within the area.

The General Practice Specialty Training Programmes in Cardiff are offered annually soon after the successful candidate has completed our selection centre in March/April. All programmes begin in August at Specialty Trainee 1 level and are at the moment 3 years in duration. ST1 year is made up of 2 six month hospital posts and ST2 year will be six months of GP and six months of another hospital post. ST2s may start their practice position in August or February of that year.

The PDs are responsible for the planning and eventual design of all the GPSTP finally allocated to STs in General Practice. All STs enter at year one and will be allocated 2 hospital posts. In the 2nd year a 6 month hospital post and a 6 month practice post is allocated. The final ST3 year is a practice position for 12 months and is usually decided by the PDs in the spring of the 2nd year.

In terms of numbers of each post, Cardiff has been assigned several A/E and medicine posts. When developing a programme for a new entrant therefore, we consider their experience but work within what is available for us and what will give all Trainees programmes that would be approved by PMETB and lead them to the eventual certificate of completion of training. Allocating practice positions is much more flexible.

The ST3 year is a 12 months attachment in one of Training practices. This practice will be different from that of the ST2 experience to broaden the Trainees exposure to General Practice. The construction of the programmes is given due individual consideration by the Programme Directors. Many factors are taken into account but our priority is that all programmes fulfil PMETB requirements for eventual certification to work in General Practice.

The programme runs from the Cardiff Postgraduate Centre at the University Hospital of Wales, Cardigan House. All the excellent facilities including an extensive library and bookshop are accessible to trainees with ease. There is also an excellent sports and social club based at the hospital. Both the Programme Directors meet the Trainees every Wednesday at this venue which is completely at their disposable in the afternoon for teaching. There are 2 seminar rooms for use as well as access to computers. The staff here are very helpful in directing trainees with regard to courses and applying for leave as well as ensuring their attendance and any absences are recorded for the teaching sessions held. The organised teaching is called Half Day Release and this forms an integral part of the STs working week whilst in their practice placements. ST1s and ST2s in hospital post are required to attend too albeit less frequently and by arrangement with their departments in hospitals.

The main aim of HDR is to provide; a forum for peer and PD meeting and support, help in passing MRCGP, learning of clinical knowledge and skills outside the realms of hospital and practice experience, management skills and personal and professional development sessions. The feedback from Trainees has been excellent and this is reflected in our high attendance rates.