Funding Sources

Access to Funding for Training

Practices receive funding from the nGMS contract to aid the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) of practice staff (this should be indicated on your contract of employment). PCTs may also contribute to the training of staff but this is dependent upon the specific PCT that your practice is covered by. If you would like to seek funding from your employer for training, it is best to approach them with the following outlines: what the course is, the cost in fees, how much time you will need out of the practice and how it benefits you and the practice as a whole.

There are, however, ways to seek funding which may not be provided directly by your employer. An example of receiving funding outside the practice would be through sponsorship. Often pharmaceutical companies may be able to sponsor your attendance at courses where their product will be promoted. Note that on these occasions, the practice will still have to agree to this arrangement and it may be a good idea to produce this agreement in writing between the two parties. Scholarships are also sometimes awarded to General Practice Nurses, and this grants the nurse a financial award to use in educational development. To find out further details about the scholarships which may be available to you, you can ask members of staff at your practice, research the internet or regularly check nursing publications. Although there are a variety of ways to find financial help for CPD you will occasionally be expected to fund it personally in order for you to reach the expected standards. After attending a training course it is a good idea to write an evaluation, outlining its value to your development and to the practice. This can then be printed off and kept within a portfolio of learning.

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NICE scholarships