• You must have a Certification of Completion of GP Training by a competent authority (or equivalent).
• You must have the right to work in the UK.
• You must be fully and currently registered with the GMC with a license to practise and on the GP Register, without GMC conditions or undertakings (except those relating solely to health matters).
• You must not have been working in clinical General Practice for the preceding two years but must previously have worked within a General Practice environment providing continuity of care and the full range of primary care services including, for example, the following - paediatrics, end of life and palliative care, care of the elderly, chronic disease management, complex multimorbid conditions and mental health.
• You must establish your eligibility to be included on the Scottish Performers’ List through contact with the Health Board Performers List Administrator in the area you wish to work. If this is conditional on satisfactory completion of the Returner Programme, then the Health Board Medical Director/ Performers’ List administrator must convey this opinion to the local NES Advisor.
• You must have a commitment to be domiciled in and work in NHS General Practice in Scotland.
• You must be eligible for Medical Defence organisation membership on completion of the programme.
• You will not already have undertaken, commenced or been unsuccessful in similar programmes elsewhere in the UK or unsuccessful in the national I&R MCQ or simulated surgery as part of an application elsewhere in the UK.

Firstly, you should initiate contact with NHS Education for Scotland by submitting the form on this page. Our specialist GP Advisor will talk with you in the first instance to assess if you can be referred immediately onwards to apply to join your preferred Health Board Performers’ List. (depending on your experience and circumstances, you might be able to immediately join their performers list – at the discretion of the Health Board Medical Director).

Otherwise, the NES GP Advisor will undertake a structured review of your clinical work, training and CPD. This structured interview forms an educational assessment. If it is concluded that you are eligible and would benefit from the GP Returner Programme then a suitable placement for up to six months, in an approved GP practice will be identified. Formative assessments, during this placement, will include a video analysis of consultation skills, a test of knowledge (RCGP PEP) and work place based assessments.

At the end of the programme, the supervisor will make a recommendation to the Medical Director of the Health Board in relation to suitability for independent practice.

What happens next?