Welcome from Dr Nicola Moerdyk, CWTH Clinical Lead
As a practicing GP, I am very aware of the significant pressures that general practice is under. The pandemic left some of us battered and bruised, stretched beyond what we have ever imagined, and working in ways we never thought possible. The years that have followed have offered little respite. Change and challenge continues to come.
The CWTH GP Team continues to develop and provide a suite of offers to GPs across the system, to support them in their day-to-day practice, ensuring that they feel valued and appreciated and that they thrive both, personally and professionally. There is a professional network for every GP in Coventry and Warwickshire to be a part of – from brand new post CCT GPs to those starting to plan for retirement and possibly consider new and different ways of working and exploring potential ways to utilise the wealth of experience experienced GPs will no doubt possess.
There is clinical input through the Medical Education Team’s PLT offerings and programmes such as our Aspiring Leaders Fellowships, which are designed to upskill in areas beyond the consulting room.
There are ongoing programmes of work to support growing our own workforce, supporting our wider Multidisciplinary Team through the work that our Ambassadors do. There is a suite of offers available to support our nursing colleagues across the entire scope of their practice as well as opportunities for our non-clinical team members.
Mentoring is available for all working across General Practice to offer support and a confidential sounding board on anything and everything from partnership issues to career development and beyond.
Our workforce is our most precious asset – we need to invest in it and nurture it, for ourselves, and for the wellbeing of our patients.
My intention is to provide a suite of offerings for all working in general practice in C&W, helping them sparkle and be the very best that they can be!
GPs at any Career Stage
Parental Leave Support Network
The network will be designed to bring together Coventry and Warwickshire GPs who are approaching, having or have recently completed time away from practice due to the arrival of their baby (or babies), with the aim to provide networking opportunities and support for soon-to-be and new GP parents within Coventry and Warwickshire.
General Practice Mentoring Scheme
Coventry and Warwickshire GP Mentoring Scheme
Mentoring is the opportunity to have comfortable guided conversations with someone who understands your role in General Practice and can share ideas, knowledge and experiences. A Mentor can support with a range of areas, such as: appraisals, career development, complaints, leadership, partnership, parental leave, career break/return to work and retirement.
For more information on how to register for this scheme, please visit our Mentoring page.
Aspiring Leaders Fellowship
Aspiring Leaders Fellowship
Applications for 2025/2026 are now CLOSED. Please click here for more information.
The Aspiring Leaders Fellowships (ALF) provides exciting opportunities to support the local general practice workforce (clinical and non-clinical) to spend time developing their skills and thus, empowering them to become our emerging and future leaders whilst contributing to shaping healthcare at place and system level for our population across Coventry & Warwickshire.
Please click here for more information about each programme, to meet the Fellows, and find out about their work
Trailblazer Fellowship
Trailblazer Fellowship
Applications for 2025/2026 are now CLOSED. Please click here to be added to the mailing list to receive updates for the 2026/27 programme (approximate launch April 2026)
The Trailblazer scheme allows motivated, qualified clinicians (General Practitioners and wider workforce), to work in practices in areas of socio-economic deprivation. The aim is to develop the skills, knowledge, experience, and resilience to stay working in these challenging, but incredibly rewarding, environments and to help practices in under-resourced areas to recruit and retain clinicians.
CWTH is very proud to support the delivery of these NHS England – Midlands Primary Care Trailblazers Fellowships locally across Coventry & Warwickshire.
Please click here for more information about the Trailblazer fellowship
International Medical Graduates
The aim of the IMG Scheme is to create awareness for IMG GPs that there is support specifically targeted to cater for their needs post-CCT, to create opportunities for networking with colleagues/peers who share similar experiences and to encourage them to access wider Training Hub offers. It also aims to highlight the C&W Visa Support Scheme locally and ensure that practices hold a sponsorship license and are “recruitment ready”.
Please click here for more information about the International Medical Graduate scheme.
GP Retainers Scheme
If you are giving serious consideration to leaving the profession, if you have already left for personal reasons (personal illness, caring responsibilities), approaching retirement, or requiring greater flexibility, you may be eligible for support from the GP Retainers Scheme.
The scheme offers both educational and financial support to both you and your practice. It enables a GP to remain in clinical practice for a maximum of four clinical sessions (16 hours, 40 minutes) per week, or 208 sessions per year, for up to five years. This allocated time includes protected time for continuing professional development.
Dealing with Complaints – Resources
Navigating the complaints process can be challenging for doctors, and finding clear and accessible support can be difficult. The type, severity, and origin of the complaint often influence the level and availability of support.
Please note that these resources are not a substitute for medico-legal advice provided by medical indemnity organisations. Medical indemnity providers should generally be your primary source of support when receiving a complaint.
Each link provides guidance on different aspects of complaint handling, from practical steps to coping strategies:
Key Links
Information for medical indemnity providers
- MDU – How to Respond to a Complaint. – This guide from the Medical Defence Union outlines practical steps for responding to patient complaints. It covers how to acknowledge, investigate, and address complaints effectively.
- MDU – Coping with Complaints Stress – Dealing with complaints can be stressful. This guide offers strategies to manage stress and maintain personal well-being while addressing complaints. Please visit this webpage to learn about what to expect during clinical negligence claims.
- Dealing with a complaint – MDS
- MDDUS- A guide to responding to complaints
- BMA – Dealing with Complaints Made Against You Personally – The British Medical Association provides advice on handling complaints directed personally at GPs, including how to respond professionally and protect your reputation.
- BMA – Complaints in Primary Care – This resource offers guidance on handling complaints in a primary care setting, including best practices for managing and resolving issues effectively.
- NHS Practitioner Health – Facing a Complaint – NHS Practitioner Health provides support for GPs facing complaints, including advice on how to deal with the process and seek professional help.
- Medical Protection Society – Responding to Complaints – This article from the Medical Protection Society discusses how to handle complaints, focusing on practical advice and common pitfalls to avoid.
- Anatomy of a claim – MDS
- CQC – GP Mythbuster: Complaints Management – The Care Quality Commission’s Mythbuster provides clarity on complaints management in GP practices, dispelling common myths and offering practical advice.
- NHS Resolution – Responding to Complaints – This document provides a comprehensive guide on how NHS Resolution recommends responding to complaints in primary care settings.
- Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman – Tips for Improving GP Complaint Handling – The Ombudsman’s tips help GPs improve their handling of complaints, focusing on practical steps to enhance complaint resolution processes.
Available support for GPs
- CW Training Hub – General Practice Mentoring Scheme (Some mentors can provide support to GPs who have received a complaint)
- Complaints and how to survive them (Podcast) – You Are Not A Frog
- Practitioner Health
- NHS England – Looking after you too
Locum GP Network
We are starting to develop a local GP Locum Network, specifically for those who are already working, or whom are thinking about working in the Coventry and Warwickshire areas. Irrespective of whether you are a regular or occasional locum you are welcome to become part of our network. Please click here to join our network (and access the C&W GP Locum Network WhatsApp group):
Here are some ideas of what you can expect from our Locum network, and the wider Training Hub. For more information, please click here or the button below.
- Job and career opportunities
- Access to our workforce solution through Lantum:
- Ability to book work instantly, with job search filters giving you the power to see sessions that suit your location and availability.
- Save time on admin, with auto-generated invoices and pension forms that are consolidated into form A & B packs on your behalf
- https://info.lantum.com/coventry-and-warwickshire-staff
- Educational events
- Networking and social events
- Buddy scheme
- Mentoring
- Access to other networks e.g. First 5, Middle (Twenty)5, Wise 5
General Practice Partnership Network
The intention of this network is to develop a support offer for colleagues in partnerships across the System, allowing a safe space to discuss concerns and share best practice.
In addition to building networking opportunities, this scheme will provide a structure and framework for upskilling those new to partnership and considering partnership, complimenting the wider offer from CWTH, with a clear focus on the needs of Partners in General Practice.
Early Career GP (0-5 years)
The first five years of general practice can be rewarding and challenging in equal measure. Finishing your training is an exciting time but we know the transition from trainee to GP can sometimes be difficult. Our aim is to help support you through a range of initiatives, which you can find out more about here.
Principles of Primary Care
Register at any time to join – programme runs Oct 2025 – May 2026
We understand that starting out in independent practice can be daunting, and there may be other non-clinical skills that you wish to explore and develop to enhance your experience and confidence.
We want to help you feel prepared and confident while learning alongside your new colleagues and peers. That’s why we’re excited to offer a free learning program open to the wider Primary Care Workforce, organised by the Coventry and Warwickshire Training Hub and hosted by local GPs. These sessions will be held as a combination of virtual sessions (through Zoom) and face-to-face sessions.
Please visit this page for more information or email any questions to crgpa.education.cwth@nhs.net
New to Practice Fellowship
In line with the recent NHSE announcement, registration for the final C&W cohort closed on 01.03.24
First5 – Coventry and Warwickshire
The first five years of general practice can be rewarding and challenging in equal measure. Finishing your training is an exciting time but we know the transition from trainee to GP can sometimes be difficult. Our aim is to help support you through a range of initiatives.
Post-CCT Forum
- Have you just qualified as a GP?
- Do you have lots of questions about what happens next?
- Do you feel overwhelmed stepping away from your ST3 post?
Join the Post-CCT forum to discuss experiences, share tips and more.
For more information on our Post-CCT Forum, please visit this page.
Mid-career (5-15 years)
Having worked as a clinician for several years now, are you wanting to re-invigorate your career and explore different directions and options?
We know that having a diverse, interesting and stimulating career means you will remain happy, well and engaged in your work. You undoubtedly have lots to offer others and there are many options open to you.
Middle(Twenty)5 Network
The Middle (Twenty)5 Scheme aims to champion the needs of GPs with at least 7 years of clinical experience working in Coventry and Warwickshire.
The intention is to develop a programme to support mid-career GPs in achieving their potential and to promote their career development, whilst building a peer support network for this group of GPs.
For more information on Middle(Twenty)5, please visit this page.
Late career (15+ years)
Having honed your experience and skills over many years, you have so much to offer in general practice.
Perhaps you are looking to reduce the number of clinical sessions you’re doing and replace one of them with another role, such as mentoring other GPs? Or maybe you are approaching retirement and would like to support our primary care teams by sharing your experiences to shape and enhance their futures?
Wise5 – Coventry and Warwickshire
Having honed your experience and skills over many years, you have so much to offer in general practice.
Perhaps you are looking to reduce the number of clinical sessions you’re doing and replace one of them with another role, such as mentoring other GPs? Or maybe you are approaching retirement and would like to support our primary care teams by sharing your experiences to shape and enhance their futures? For more information on our Wise5 Programme, please visit this page.
Leadership development
Midlands Leadership and Lifelong Learning Academy
The academy offers a series of leadership programmes to support you in developing your skills, attitudes and behaviours to achieve the highest standards in health and care.
Your Health and Wellbeing
We understand how busy and challenging working in healthcare can be. That’s why recharging your batteries is so important.
The Training Hub offers a wide variety of resources and programmes to support your wellbeing.
- Work Well Programme (Shapes Toolkit)
- Employee Assistance Programme (Vivup)
- Wellbeing Sessions with MIND
- Health and Wellbeing Champions
- And more!
For more information and to view all our resources, please visit our webpage.
