General Practitioner

Join our welcoming practice in the beautiful village of Lanchester, just a short distance from Durham. We care for a patient list of around 4,100 and are proud to have a loyal, longstanding team, with some colleagues having been with the practice for over 25 years. The role is based in a modern, purpose built building, where you'll work alongside an excellent administrative and clinical team who are wholeheartedly committed to delivering the high standard of care our patients deserve.

Following a recent CQC inspection, the practice has been actively rebuilding and strengthening its systems with support from South Durham Health CiC, creating a positive environment focused on continuous improvement and innovation.

This post is for a 6 session GP, with the potential to increase sessions if the successful candidate can provide joint injections, minor surgery, or other enhanced services. Preferred working days are Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, although there is scope for flexibility.

The clinical team consists of one GP Partner, one Salaried GP, two ANPs, two Practice Nurses, one Nurse Associate, one HCA, and a pharmacy team comprising one Pharmacist and two Pharmacy Technicians.

We are seeking an experienced GP who is ready for a new challenge. Someone who enjoys hands on clinical work, is committed to supporting colleagues, and is keen to play an active role in driving the practice forward.

If this opportunity interests you and you would like to discuss it further, please contact Thomas Sullivan, Business Manager, at

Lanchester Medical Centre has a patient list of 4100 and is based in the heart of the village,8 miles west of Durham and 5 miles from Consett.

It has a highly supportive and active patient participation group whoare also devoted to ensuring improvements are made.

We (South Durham Health CiC) have been engaged by the single-handedpartner to support the complete running of the practice for a period of time toensure services continue to be delivered for patients whilst all suggestedimprovements are put in place, taking the practice to a position of providing sustainable,quality care for all. As a communityinterest company, our focus is on putting patients, clinicians, and carers atthe centre of decision-making to improve health outcomes, we seek to achieve this by being open, evidence-based, and inclusive.

This same ethos will beapplied to the work we do at Lanchester Medical Centre.

To enable this, we have already positioned a highly experienced business manager within the surgery and wrapped around him a teamof clinical governance, managerial, administrative and financial staff toreview, guide and enable the practice to improve services. This will include a full review of policiesboth clinical and administrative, introduction of up-to-date evidence based clinicalprotocols and the provision of training and supervision.

The following are the core responsibilities. There may be on occasion, 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 practice population
• The provision of services commensurate with the PMScontract
• Generic prescribing adhering to local and national guidance
• Effective management of long-term conditions
• Processing of administration in a timely manner,including referrals, repeat prescription requests and other associatedadministrative tasks
• On a rotational basis, undertake duty doctor roles and Enhanced Access.
• Maintain accurate clinical records in conjunction with good practice, policy and guidance
• Working collaboratively, accepting an equalshare of the practice workload
• Adhere to best practice recommended through clinical guidelines and the audit process
• Contribute to the successful implementation of continuous improvement and quality initiatives within the practice
• Accept delegated responsibility for a specificarea (or areas) or the QOF
• Attend and contribute effectively to practicemeetings as required
• Contribute effective to the development and maintenance of the practice including clinical governance training
• Commit to self-learning and instill an ethos of continuing professional development across the practice team
• Support South Durham Health CIC in defining and achievingthe strategic aims of the practice
• Making recommendations to enhance patient services and income as well as reducing unnecessary expenditure
• Review and adhere to practice protocols and policies at all times
• Encourage collaborative working, liaising withall staff regularly, promoting a culture of continuous improvement at all time.

In addition to the primary responsibilities, thesalaried GP may be requested to:

• Participate in practice audits as requested bythe audit lead
• Participate in local initiatives to enhanceservice delivery and patient care
• Participate in the review of significant andnear-miss events applying a structured approach i.e. root cause analysis (RCA)