GP trainees as NES employees

All GP trainees will now be employed by NES even when in hospital, however, local health boards will be undertake some elements of employment on behalf of NES - please see the hub website for more details  This will provide:

  • more comprehensive HR support
  • NES responsibility for visas and dealing with the UK Borders Agency
  • clarity of arrangements with an agreed Training Practice Agreement
  • definition of the responsibilities of NES, the GP practices, the trainers and the trainees
  • consistency of policies and management of trainees across Scotland no matter where they are placed
  • a smoother transition of employment and contractual obligations between different placements

Visit the Turas Hub for more details of policies, processes and employee information you need. As a NES employee,  the HR team are quite separate from the Deanery administrators overseeing your training. You will find the policy on whistle-blowing on this site, and some guidance on what to do. You can also report a concern to Deanery colleagues, as well as in your practice.

NES has developed an ST1 Induction to GP Practice pack. Each GP practice can personalise the details of the practice and the pack provides details of the requirements for new GP trainees during their induction period.

This guidance document is based on  current legislation around this issue.  We need to remember that it is the practice’s responsibility to ensure compliance and this is advice provided by NES to help with this.

Suggest clinical/educational split per week [DOCX] full time and less than full time arrangements

COGPED Guide to a session [PDF]

LTFT Hours and Assessment timings

TOTAL % Hours Clinical (Incl. admin/ home visits) Education (ERP/ tutorial/ personal study/ informal feedback) MSF PSQ WPBA ESR
100% ↔ 40 hours 28 hours 12 hours 1st 6/12 30-34/12

6 COTs

6 CBDs

 End May or Dec
80% ↔ 32 hours 22.4 hours 9.6 hours 1st 6/12 30-34/12

5 COTs

5 CBDs

 2/12 prior to CCT
70% ↔ 28 hours 19.6 hours 8.4 hours 1st 6/12 30-34/12

4 COTs

4 CBDs

 2/12 prior to CCT
60% ↔ 24 hours 16.8 hours 7.2 hours 1st 6/12 30-34/12

4 COTs

4 CBDs

 2/12 prior to CCT
50% ↔ 20 hours 14 hours 6 hours 1st 6/12 30-34/12

3 COTs

3 CBDs

 2/12 prior to CCT

GPSTs in Scotland have a contractual obligation to work in GP OOH services when in a general practice post. This commitment is 6 hours per month WTE so is 36 hours during a ST1/2 post in GP and 72 hours in ST3. These hours will vary during posts that are undertaken LTFT but 108 hours in total will be completed by the end of training. Those trainees undertaking extra time in GP posts ( eg making up ST2 time or in an extension to training) will have extra contracted hours as a result. 

For guidance regarding working hours and rest period, particularly pre and post OOH sessions, please see following: Scottish Government DL (2021) [PDF]

OOH provision is via local OOH providers, please refer to the document below for your local contact’s details.

Requirements to gather evidence for the capability of Urgent and Unscheduled Care (UUSC) was introduced by COGPED and RCGP in 2019 and is summarised in:

In Scotland however with the continuation of contracted hours, GP trainees need to demonstrate their capability through the undertaking of OOH shifts alongside reflection and recording of these shifts in the trainee e-portfolio as described in this document:

There is also an agreed framework between NES, Scottish Government and OOH services for trainees to undertake extra paid shifts of  during their ST3 year. This is described in the document below:

Supporting Documentation for Recording:

The NES FAQ on undertaking additional work whilst in GP training should be read in conjunction with the following COPMED document [PDF].

Less than full time guidance and application process. Please see your own regional LTFT contacts.

Guidance available here:

This page was last updated on: 01.10.2025 at 13.52