Training for General Practice
at Sonning Common Health Centre

Wood Lane, Sonning Common, Reading, RG4 9SW
Tel: 0118 9722188
Fax: 0118 9724633
E-mail @sonningcommonhcoxongps.co.uk

Sonning Common was one of the first practices in the Reading area to become involved with training doctors (registrars) for general practice some 25 years ago and is proud to have seen many of those doctors go on to develop fulfilling careers, often locally. Drs Sue Ronay and Kim Emerson became trainers in 1999 and 2001 respectively, both having been registrars here in their youth and Dr Simon Morris will hopefully be approved in 2005. Dr Andrew Burnett, the trainer for the previous 10 years, along with Drs Ralph Drury, Tess Harris and Ellen Kruidenier(another Sonning Common trained GP) are all actively involved. We are committed to the practice providing a good learning environment with all the primary care team involved in teaching and learning together. In addition, one of our district nurses is a district nurse tutor so there are good opportunities for joint learning. 

GP registrars here have a one month induction period and are introduced to general practice at a pace to suit them. They are involved in planning their curriculae so that their training is personalised and takes account of their specific needs and interests. They have a half day of protected time each week for a tutorial and individual learning time. There is ample opportunity for informal teaching and there is a practice educational meeting once a week. In addition they have a half day off each week, five weeks annual leave and extra study leave as appropriate.

We are linked to the Reading Vocational Training Scheme for General Practice, part of the Oxford Region, for which the registrar is released for a whole day each week. The course, run by the VTS, includes modules such as ethics, palliative care and evidence-based medicine as well as those elements needed to become eligible for the Health Authority lists for Child Health Surveillance and Minor Surgery. There is an emphasis on peer group learning and preparing for life-long learning and it aims to be responsive to each group’s needs. It is well geared to success in the MRCGP.


Training for General Practice at Sonning Common Health Centre 2.

Sonning Common is a semi-rural practice of 8,200 patients and has lots of experiences to offer, including dispensing, and various clinics including cardiac and arthritis clinics. Out of hours is now provided by IECS (Integrated emergency Care Service). This is based in Abingdon and has a satellite centre in Henley which our registrar can attend with Kim Emerson for training.

We have been a “note less” practice since October 1998. Our last few registrars have seen enormous change in this respect and have been actively involved in our progress. The registrar has their own room with a networked PC with full internet access and NHS net access. We have the usual facilities for videoing surgeries and both Andrew Burnett and Sue Ronay have experience of being assessors for summative assessment. We also encourage our registrars to sit the MRCGP examination, for which we contribute to the entrance exam fee. 

For more information about the practice and doctors please see the rest of our website.

If you would like to discuss GP training further, please contact Sue Ronay, Kim Emerson or our current registrar.