What are Integrated Training Posts?
Integrated Training posts, or “ITPs” are 6 month rotations where half the work week is spent in primary care and the remainder in a speciality. ITP posts provide an opportunity to gain experience in an additional speciality field without having to do a full 6 month rotation.
What ITPs are offered in Cumbria?
Currently the North Cumbria GP training scheme offers the following ITPs:
- Community Based Psychiatry
- Paediatrics
- GUM/Dermatology
- Palliative Care
- Emergency Medicine
- Medical Education
For trainees allocated GUM/Dermatology ITPs, half the week will be in General Practice and the other half will be split with one day in GUM and one in Dermatology.
What will my week look like on an ITP?
For full time Post Graduate doctors, the 40 hour week will be split as follows: 4 sessions in General Practice (16 hours), 4 sessions in speciality (16 hours), 1 session half day release for group teaching (4 hours), 1 session self study (4 hours). During teaching term breaks when there is no group teaching, the additional session will be spent in GP practice. During GP post hours, there will be 1.5 hours per week for tutorial teaching (which may be arranged as 3 hours alternate weeks).
Before starting an ITP post the Starting your ITP guide will be sent to the Post Graduate doctor.
Can I choose my ITP post?
Unfortunately, due to the size and popularity of GP training in Cumbria over recent years, ITP posts are now pre-allocated. Post Graduate Doctors will be informed of their rotations including if they have been allocated an ITP post at the start of training.
The training programme is currently unable to offer alternative or bespoke ITP posts, however if there is a specialty which you feel would be beneficial, please contact a Training Programme Director to discuss.
Each ITP post is fixed with a particular GP practice. Please be aware if you change your ITP post your GP practice will also be changed. Likewise, if you are unhappy with your GP practice allocation in your ITP and request to change practice, your ITP speciality will also change.
Am I guaranteed an ITP post if I train in Cumbria?
Post Graduate Doctors are not guaranteed an ITP post in Cumbria. If you are not allocated an ITP post but would like to have one please contact the training programme to discuss your options further.
Some doctors who are originally allocated an ITP post may require changes to their GP training progress (e.g. due to maternity leave, educational needs etc…) This could result in the addition or removal of an ITP post. You will be informed by the training programme if your rotations need to be changed.
Can I opt out of doing an ITP and remain in the GP post full time?
As most ITP posts are “dovetailed” (meaning two ITP trainees share an equivalent of one full time trainee post), it is unlikely you will be able to remain in the same GP practice as this would exceed the GP practice’s capacity.
Can I do an extended ITP to develop a specialist interest / become a GPwER?
We are unable to offer extended ITPs as our programme is currently above capacity. However if you are interested in becoming a GPwER, you can apply for a post CCT Fellowship to develop additional interests:
https://www.ncgpfellowship.com/