General Practice Assistant (GPA)

Overview

General Practice Assistants (GPAs) are becoming an increasingly valuable part of the primary care workforce, offering targeted support to General Practitioners (GPs) and the wider practice team. The role is designed to reduce the administrative burden on clinicians, improve the efficiency of appointments, and enhance care for patients—particularly those who are frequent attenders or at risk of isolation.

GPAs work flexibly according to the needs of the practice, combining enhanced administrative responsibilities with some basic clinical tasks. This allows GPs to focus on managing more complex clinical cases, while GPAs assist in improving the overall patient journey through the surgery.

Typical GPA duties include:

• Prioritising and sorting clinical correspondence for GP action

• Coding and updating patient records based on incoming clinical letters

• Arranging appointments, referrals, tests, and follow-ups

• Taking basic observations (e.g. blood pressure, urine dips, ECGs, phlebotomy)

• Completing routine non-clinical sections of forms (e.g. insurance, benefits)

• Supporting communication between the GP and external services or agencies

• Explaining treatment processes to patients, as directed by the GP

All clinical duties must be covered under the practice’s governance and liability arrangements. The GPA role is not a substitute for clinical decision-making, but it can significantly improve time management and patient flow within practices.

Following a successful pilot in the North West, Health Education England rolled out a national GPA programme in 2019. Over 500 GPAs had completed accredited training by 2023, and the role is now included in the NHS England Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS).

Practices that have adopted the role report improvements in:

• Patient access and flow during clinic hours

• GP workload, particularly around admin and correspondence

• Team satisfaction and retention

• Communication with patients, especially through translation or clarification of information

Career Pathway

For existing primary care staff, the GPA role offers a clear and supported route for career progression. Many current GPAs have transitioned from roles in reception, administration, or as healthcare assistants. This internal recruitment not only helps with staff retention but also ensures that GPAs bring valuable knowledge of practice systems and patient needs.

The GPA programme provides a structured approach to training and competency development, underpinned by a national job description and learning framework. This supports practices in tailoring the role to fit local requirements while maintaining consistency and quality across the workforce.

For staff looking to develop both administrative and clinical skills in a patient-facing role, becoming a GPA can be a rewarding next step. It also opens up opportunities for further development into advanced roles over time, depending on individual aspirations and practice pathways.

Further information, including the full job description and training resources, can be found on the eLearning for Healthcare Website (see link below)

Training and Development

STW Primary Care staff stepping into, or supporting, the GPA role have the option of completing a recognised training & development route. This combines work-based learning, formal study, portfolios of evidence, and mentorship. Below is additional details, course requirements, and links where you can view a full course description and/or apply:

Training Hub Offers

Please contact stw.traininghub@nhs.net to find out how we can support you to become a General Practice Assistant (GPA)

Useful Links

eLearning For Health – General Practice Assistant

Midlands GPA Programme – Lincolnshire Training Hub

Contact

stw.traininghub@nhs.net