General practitioners (GPs) treat all common medical conditions and refer patients to hospitals and other medical services for urgent and specialist treatment.

You’ll be part of a wider team that promotes, prevents and offers treatment. You’ll care for people with chronic illness and long-term conditions, aiming to keep them well and in their own homes.

A full-time working week usually comprises of eight sessions, which equates to four days. A typical day in the practice normally starts at around 8am when you’ll check paperwork before seeing patients. You’ll spend time with a mix of patients with a variety of health needs until late morning, either face-to-face or through a phone consultation. At the end of morning surgery, some GPs see extra patients who need to be seen urgently.

After morning appointments, you’ll generally catch up on paperwork, and make any phone calls. After lunch you may visit patients in their homes or care homes. Once visits are complete, you’ll start your afternoon surgery, which might run from 3pm until 5.30pm. You may also provide evening and weekend appointments.

A GP qualification is achieved after a 5-year undergraduate degree or a 4-year postgraduate degree in medicine. After medical school is a 2-year paid foundation programme with 6 work placements across different settings. Upon the completion of the foundation programme there is the opportunity for paid speciality training which takes a minimum of 3 years. General Practitioners receive a UK GP Certificate of Completion of Training which allows them to work as a GP in primary care.

Statement from Dr Alexander Lee – Specialty Registrar GP:

For more information on the General Practitioner role please visit:

General practitioner | Health Careers

General Practitioner (GP) | Primary Care Careers (eoeprimarycarecareers.nhs.uk)

NHS England » Starting your career in general practice