Listed below is information about Angus Region in general with links to each of the training practices in Angus. If you would like any further information regarding training in a particular practice, or would like to arrange a visit, you should contact the practice at the address given.

Angus Training Practices | The County | Leisure | Accessibility | Training | Financial Rewards

Training Practices for GP Registrars in Angus

Angus Training Practices | The County | Leisure | Accessibility | Training | Financial Rewards

Angus: The County

Angus is one of Scotland's better kept secrets. Being rather off the beaten track, it is not frequently visited by tourists. It's a quiet, predominantly agricultural county that nestles between the North Sea and the Grampian hills in the North East of Scotland. Along with Perthshire and Dundee, it makes up the region of Tayside. The inhabitants however have a strong sense of independence and are proud to look upon Angus as their home.

There are 6 main centres of population in Angus, being loosely based around the towns of Arbroath, Montrose, Brechin, Kirriemuir, Forfar and Carnoustie. Each of these areas has access to a local community medical centre manned in the main part by General Practitioners. The facilities and the level of involvement vary from area to area. Each of these towns has their own character and features. All are within commuting range of Dundee and Aberdeen. Arts and culture are well catered for locally in Dundee and Aberdeen or with a short journey to Edinburgh or Glasgow.

Angus Training Practices | The County | Leisure | Accessibility | Training | Financial Rewards

For those with an interest in outdoor pursuits, Angus has a lot to offer. Championship Golf courses at Carnoustie and Letham Grange are recognised as two of the finest in the world, and form, with other courses of varying sizes and standards scattered throughout Angus, a network of some of the most varied and challenging Golf Courses in Britain.

Close proximity to the Angus Glens affords great opportunities for outdoor pursuits such as water sports, field sports, hill walking and climbing. Downhill Ski areas in Glen Shee and the Lecht are within an hour's drive from most towns and the whole of the Grampian hills are suitable for cross-country skiing. Away from the major routes, the roads around Angus are quiet and ideal for cycling. From the flat coastal tracks skirting the beaches and estuaries, through the rolling "Mearns" country lanes, to the steep mountain paths leading right into the heart of the Grampian Mountains, it is possible to find a route suitable for all ages and standard.

For those more interested in indoor pursuits, there are leisure centres at Arbroath, Montrose, Brechin, Forfar, Kirriemuir and Carnoustie. These provide a variety of fitness classes, squash, tennis and badminton courts sauna and steam rooms. Most of the towns also have Public swimming pools.

Angus Training Practices | The County | Leisure | Accessibility | Training | Financial Rewards

Angus: Accessibility

Angus is easily accessible by most means of transport. Roads in Scotland are some of the least crowded in Britain, and major routes from the south cross the beautiful Angus countryside on route to and from Dundee and Aberdeen. Edinburgh and Aberdeen Airports are only a short drive away. The East Coast rail route runs through Carnoustie, Arbroath and Montrose on its way north from Edinburgh to Aberdeen.

Angus Training Practices | The County | Leisure | Accessibility | Training | Financial Rewards

Angus: Training

There are ten approved Trainers and six training practices throughout Angus, each in their individual way offering an extensive and rewarding educational experience.

G.P. Registrars based in Angus are introduced into a formalised day release training programme, presently one full day per fortnight. The programme for this is organised from the Tayside Centre for General Practice (TCGP) in Dundee, with the potential for Angus Registrars to form their own independent study groups. TCGP is a single purpose-built unit incorporating both the undergraduate department of the University of Dundee and the postgraduate centre for General Practice for the region.  Day release offers a varied programme in the form of group work incorporating the skills required for Summative Assessment and the MRCGP exam with emphasis on Registrars directing the learning to meet your own needs.

There are many courses run from within the region including CPR, Child Health Surveillance, Family Planning, and Minor Surgery which Registrars are encouraged to attend according to their personal interests and needs and for which central funding is available. There is a MRCGP course. The percentage of Angus Registrars who pass the MRCGP Exam is traditionally high.

There is a great potential opportunity for extended experience in General Practice training within Angus with the ongoing development of five community hospitals.

It is hoped that GPRs in Angus will feel welcomed into the various General Practitioner groups.  There is an active East of Scotland RCGP Faculty Board which encourages GPR representation and which is keen to support GPRs both educationally and socially.  There are many practice-based postgraduate education meetings to which Registrars are welcomed.  The LMC encourages interest from General Practice Registrars locally.

In short, Angus offers a very comprehensive and enjoyable learning experience and as a group of Trainers we take great pride in the fact that many Registrars choose to continue their careers in Angus or nearby.

Angus Training Practices | The County | Leisure | Accessibility | Training | Financial Rewards

Angus: Financial Rewards

You’d probably expect us to say that the real rewards of training in Angus are in the educational benefit and satisfaction of working with friendly colleagues and sensible patients in congenial surroundings – all of which are true, of course. You get paid too.

The salary scales for G.P. Registrars are linked to their last regular NHS post, and includes an element of out-of-hours work and for board and lodging. In addition, a number of other payments may be made, including:

• a car allowance

• telephone installation and rental

• reimbursement of Defence Organisation subscription

• removal expenses and miscellaneous expenses associated with removal

• excess rent allowance

• travelling expenses, including interview expenses

This isn’t an exhaustive list.

You can check what you may qualify for in the Statement of Fees and Allowances Payable to General Medical Practitioners in Scotland, otherwise known as "The Red Book". This is available in all general practices – ask the Practice Manager.

Final decisions on entitlement will rest with NHS Education for Scotland (NES). Enquiries about administrative, financial and related issues should be directed to:

Madeleine Corrigan
NHS Education for Scotland
2nd Floor
Hanover Buildings
66 Rose Street
EDINBURGH EH2 2NN

Tel: 0131 225 4365    Fax: 0131 225 5891

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Last updated  3rd August 2004