Additional funding for academic training of GPs announced by health minister

By Q Radio News

Stormont’s health minister has announced additional funding of £385,000 to expand the Clinical Academic Training Programme. 

The money will also facilitate a short-term increase in the General Practice Academic Research Training Scheme (GPARTS) and be used to support a clinical academic training pathway for General Practitioners who have achieved a Certificate of Completion Training (CCT).

Robin Swann says he’s “delighted” to commit further investment aimed at strengthening Northern Ireland’s medical academic training capabilities.  

“In spite of mounting financial pressures, it is right that we continue to invest in the medical academic leaders of tomorrow,” he added. 

“This extra funding will support an increased number of clinical academic training pathways and most particularly, the permanent expansion of clinical academic training by 50%.”

The Department of Health currently funds eight training posts within the Clinical Academic Training Programme.  

This will increase by 50% creating a further four posts for the August 2021 intake.

Dr Laurence Dorman, Chair of RCGPNI hailed the latest move as “fantastic”. 

“As the professional academic body representing more than 1,400 GPs across Northern Ireland, we warmly welcome this financial support for clinical academic training pathways in general practice,” he said. 

“This investment will create additional research posts and will greatly enhance the contribution of general practice to research and development, which will benefit patient care right across our entire health service. 

“It will also give a welcome boost to academic general practice as a viable career choice and encourage more talented, young doctors into general practice in Northern Ireland.”