Job summary
After 3 decades as a partner in this practice, I am retiring and seeking a colleague who will value the same ethos that has made this place such a rewarding home for my career.

We are a financially stable, premises owning, well established practice with a list size of around 10,500 patients. We have a largely working population, with low overall deprivation, yet a healthy mix of backgrounds and needs. Our team is one of our greatest strengths: from our dedicated administration and reception staff to our skilled nursing team and nurse practitioners. The culture is supportive, respectful, and genuinely enjoyable.

As partners, the three of us work with respect for one another, sharing the load and supporting each other through the inevitable challenges of modern general practice. We own our premises, are financially secure, and remain committed to delivering high quality, traditional primary care while adapting sensibly to new ways of working.

I now want to find someone who will appreciate this balance and help carry the practice forward with the same values that have made it such a fulfilling place to work.

If you're looking for a place where you can thrive, contribute, and feel proud of the care you provide, we would love to meet you.

Dr David Clifford, Senior Partner

Main duties of the job
We are committed to safe, manageable, patient-centred care:

• 25 appointments per day, with 15-minute consultation slots
• Streamlined total triage system via AccuRx
• Strong adherence to BMA safe working guidance
• Low home visit demand, supported by an experienced community nurse practitioner

High-Quality, Forward-Thinking Practice

• Fully paperless with SystmOne
• Practice-owned premises, ensuring long-term stability
• Active training practice, supporting GP registrars, F2s and medical students
• Excellent performance in QOF and Enhanced Services
• Rated CQC Good across all areas
• No compulsory extended hours (optional federation work available)

About us
A Partnership Opportunity Designed Around You
At Chastleton Medical Group, we offer more than just a role we offer a supportive environment, a sustainable workload, and a genuinely rewarding career in general practice.

A Team That Works Together
You'll be joining a well-established, multidisciplinary team that values collaboration and support:

• 3 GP Partners working closely with 6 Salaried GPs
• Skilled Nurse Practitioners and a dedicated nursing team
• Clinical Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technician
• Social Prescribing Link Worker and Care Coordinator
• Daily informal coffee meetings for shared learning and peer support
• A positive, stable workforce with low staff turnover

Location, Lifestyle & Balance

• Based in the historic and vibrant city of Durham
• Excellent commuter links to Newcastle, Gateshead, and surrounding areas
• Access to high-performing schools (state and independent)
• Convenient on site parking

A Role for You
We welcome interest from:

• Experienced GPs seeking a supportive partnership
• Newly qualified GPs looking to take the next step into partnership

Job responsibilities
There will be a requirement to carry out other tasks; this will be dependent upon factors such as workload and staffing levels:

• The delivery of highly effective medical care to the entitled population
• The provision of services commensurate with the GP contract
• Clinically examine and assess patient needs from a physiological and psychological perspective and plan clinical care accordingly referring patients to other services/agencies in a timely manner, utilising practice and any other local guidelines
• Generic prescribing adhering to local and national guidance
• Prioritise health problems and intervene appropriately to assist the patient in complex, urgent or emergency situations, including initiation of effective emergency care
• Effective management of long-term conditions
• Support patients to adopt health promotion strategies that promote healthy lifestyles and apply principles of self-care
• Process administration in a timely manner including referrals, repeat prescription requests and other associated administrative tasks
• Review medications following the appropriate policies, NICE/local clinical guidelines and local care pathways
• Maintain accurate clinical records in conjunction with good practice, policy and guidance
• Work collaboratively, accepting an equal share of the practice workload
• Adhere to best practice recommended through clinical guidelines and the audit process
• Support the delivery of anticipatory care plans
• Take responsibility for continuous improvement and quality initiatives within the organisation
• Accept delegated responsibility for a specific area (or areas) or the QOF
• Attend and contribute effectively to external and internal meetings as required
• Contribute effectively to the development and maintenance of the organisation including clinical governance, training, financial management and HR
• Be aware of duties and responsibilities regarding current legislation and adhere to practice policies and procedures on safeguarding adults and safeguarding children
• Ensure compliance with the appraisal process
• Prepare and complete the revalidation process to remain fit to practice
• Commit to self-learning and instil an ethos of continuing professional development across the organisations team
• Review and adhere to practice protocols and policies at all times
• Encourage collaborative working, liaising with all staff regularly, promoting a culture of continuous improvement
• Be an integral part of the general practice team as well as supporting the wider network and multi-disciplinary team
• On a rotational basis, undertake telephone triage and duty doctor roles
• Accept responsibility for a specialist interest within the organisation
• Contribute to the effective management of the organisation including administration, planning, strategy, resilience planning etc.
• Identify, implement and embed best practice through clinical guidelines and the audit process
• Contribute to the training of medical students from all clinical disciplines
• Show leadership qualities, work collaboratively, ensure an even distribution of the organisations workload
• Remain fully focused on the strategic aims of the organisation, making recommendations to enhance income and reduce expenditure
• Prepare and attend partnership meetings contributing in a positive manner
• Provide proactive leadership to the organisation, patients and their carers
• Support in the delivery of enhanced services and other service requirements on behalf of the organisation
• Participate in the management of patient complaints when requested to do so, and participate in the identification of any necessary learning brought about through clinical incidents and near-miss events
• Undertake all mandatory training and induction programmes
• Contribute to and embrace the spectrum of clinical governance
• Attend a formal appraisal at least every 12 months. Once a performance/training objective has been set, progress will be reviewed on a regular basis so that new objectives can be agreed
• Contribute to public health campaigns (e.g., flu clinics) through advice or direct care

Person Specification
Other Requirements
Essential

• Partake in financial management decisions/meetings
• Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check
• Occupational Health clearance
• Flexibility to work outside of core office hours
• Evidence of continuing professional development (CPD) commensurate with the role
• Access to own transport and ability to travel across the locality on a regular basis

Desirable

• Project lead as required with PCN, CQC, ICS/ICB and QOF

Experience
Essential

• Ability to work both autonomously and as part of a multi-disciplinary team
• Experience of working in a primary care environment
• A good understanding of the primary care contract
• Good understanding and knowledge of QOF and of enhanced services
• Proven ability to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of own clinical practice

Desirable

• Experience of medicines management
• Experience of ICS initiatives
• An appreciation of the NHS landscape and relationship between individual organisations, PCNs and the commissioners

Personal Qualities
Essential

• Effective time management (planning, organising and prioritising) with robust problem solving and analytical skills
• Demonstrate personal accountability, emotional resilience and work well under pressure
• High levels of integrity and loyalty
• Ability to follow legal, ethical and professional standards, including policies and procedures
• Ability to use own initiative, discretion, and sensitivity
• Ability to work under pressure and in stressful situations
• Able to get along with people from all backgrounds and communities, respecting lifestyles and diversity
• Ability to identify risk and assess/manage
• Ability to work as a team member and autonomously
• Good interpersonal and organisational skills
• Effectively able to communicate in a clear manner and understand the needs of the patient
• Commitment to ongoing professional development
• Problem solver with the ability to process information accurately and effectively, interpreting data as required
• Polite and confident
• Motivated, forward thinker
• Effectively utilise resources

Clinical Knowledge & Skills
Essential

• Outstanding level of clinical knowledge and skills commensurate with that of a Partner
• Understanding the importance of evidence-based practice
• Good MS Office and clinical system IT knowledge
• Understanding of the spectrum of clinical governance processes
• Excellent communication skills (written and oral) including recording of accurate clinical notes
• Ability to work within own scope of practice and understand when to discuss cases to clinical colleagues
• Experience of triage and the ability to effectively assess and diagnose
• Ability to listen whilst being honest and caring and be both sensitive and empathetic in distressing situations
• Understanding of the local pathology tests processes and the ability to processing the results with advising patients accordingly
• Assess and manage acute deteriorations/exacerbations of long-term conditions
• Understanding of the safeguarding adults and children
• Understanding of the importance of evidence-based practice
• Experience of medicines management
• Knowledge of public health issues in the local area

Desirable

• Knowledge of health promotion strategies

Qualifications
Essential

• Qualified GP
• General Practitioner (Certificate of Completion of Training CCT)

Desirable

• MRCGP
• Vocational Training Certificate or equivalent JCPTGP

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Applicants must have current UK professional registration.

For questions about the job, contact:
Business Manager, Victoria Reed, victoriareed@nhs.net, 01913846171

Employer details
Chastleton Medical Group, Newton Drive, Durham, DH1 5BH, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.chastletonmedicalgroup.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)