ScotGP Retain and Sustain

What is ScotGP Retain and Sustain?

Replacing the Scotland GP Retainer Scheme in 2025, ScotGPRS is designed to support doctors who might otherwise leave the profession.

It recognises that life changes—whether due to health, family, or age—can make a standard career path unsustainable. The programme offers a stabilised role with protected time for professional development, helping you to retain your skills and continue caring for patients.

Who is eligible?

ScotGPRS is for GPs who are at risk of leaving clinical practice. To be eligible, you must hold full GMC registration, be on the GP Performers' List, and be in good standing with the GMC.

You may apply if you cannot meet your need for flexibility through a regular part-time role due to:

• Caring responsibilities for children or adults.
• Personal health reasons.
• Approaching retirement and considering leaving the workforce.
• Needing greater flexibility to take on work either within or outside General Practice.

You must also demonstrate that you require specific educational support, like mentoring, to maintain your professional development.

How it works: Your job plan

If accepted, you will become a salaried employee of a host practice for a fixed term, usually up to 5 years. The position is reviewed annually to make sure it still meets your needs.

Session limits

The programme is designed to be manageable:

• ScotGPRS sessions—Capped at a maximum of 4 funded sessions per week.
• Additional work—You may be permitted to undertake additional GP locum or Out-of-Hours work (up to 2 sessions per week).
• Non-GP work—Additional non-clinical sessions may be allowed depending on your individual educational agreement.

ScotGPRS support and benefits

The ScotGPRS programme supports both you and the practice to make the arrangement sustainable.

Support for you

• Mentoring—You will be assigned a mentor within the practice and receive 1 hour of protected mentoring time per month.
• Financial recognition—You will receive an annual Retained GP fee, currently £310 per year, paid by the health board.
• Stability—You get the security of a salaried contract without the pressure of a full-time caseload.

Support for your practice

Your host practice receives an allowance from the health board. This payment covers the cost of supporting you and allows the practice to benefit from your valuable clinical experience.

How to apply for ScotGPRS

The application process is managed by the NHS Education for Scotland (NES) ScotGPRS team and your local health board.

• Check your eligibility—Review the criteria above against your personal circumstances.
• Contact the team—Email your queries to nes.gpretainandsustain2@nhs.scot. A meeting will be arranged to discuss your situation and agree on your eligibility.
• Submit your application—Complete the form and email it to the address above.
• Approval—NES will seek health board approval for your application.
• Find a practice—You will need to find a host practice that is approved by NES as a ScotGPRS practice. Your NES adviser can give you advice on how to find one