At Linden we are proud to be a training practice, and we normally have GP Registrars working with us. They are fully qualified doctors who are undertaking additional training to become General Practitioners. They may stay at the practice for up to 18 months.

As with the medical students, some consultations will form part of their assessment and may be videoed with your permission. If you do not want to take part in this please inform the receptionist when making the appointment. You may be offered an appointment with a registrar and occasionally this may be a joint surgery with one of our regular GPs. If you have any questions or concerns please ask at reception.

We are now also once again hosting medical students and a number of our clinicians are involved in their training. It is important that Linden along with other accredited training practices continue to offer this opportunity to doctors at all stages of their training, as without this the current shortage of GPs will continue.

However for this, and other reasons, it does mean that there is often limited availability for bookable appointments with Dr Spooner, and accordingly we ask for your patience and understanding if you are unable to book a timely routine appointment with him.

Protecting Learning Time Initiative (PLT)

All members of the practice take part in the PLT. This means that the practice will be closed for an afternoon on a regular basis for training purposes. During this time patients will be advised to use the services of NHS 111 for medical advice as detailed previously.

Upcoming dates:

• Wednesday 14th December 2022
• Wednesday 25th January 2023
• Wednesday 22nd February 2023
• Wednesday 22nd March 2023

Medical Students at Linden Medical Group

We now have third year medical students from Leicester Medical School on placement at Linden Medical Group.

Each student will be with us for between five and twelve weeks. This is to enhance consultation skills, general medical knowledge and to gain understanding and appreciation of General Practice and community based medical care.

This as an important way in which we can contribute to training future doctors and GPs, and help address the shortage of GPs.

The involvement of patients in medical student training is absolutely vital, and we are very appreciative of your understanding and help in this way. It’s very important that students learn how to communicate well with patients and understand things from a patient’s perspective.

Whilst on placement here, medical students are part of the primary care team and will be involved in meetings, observing consultations, home visits, carrying out part or all of a consultation in addition to the supervising nurse or doctor, learning from consultations with patients that are videoed and carrying out quality improvement projects. Students are expected to maintain the same degree of professionalism and confidentiality as all medical professionals.

Reception will notify you at the time of booking your appointment if a medical student will be present. If for any reason you do not want a student to be present during your consultation, you should notify the reception of this when booking an appointment so that appropriate arrangements can be made.

The Practice is committed to the training of new doctors. They may be present during and participating in telephone or video consultations with patients and also during face to face consultation at the surgery. Sometimes a student may telephone a patient and conduct a consultation with the patient on the phone before a GP then rings them back. This will be explained to you when booking the appointment and you have the right to decline either when booking or upon arrival.

The Practice is very grateful for your assistance whilst training our future doctors.

Many thanks for your support.