International Department
Royal College of General Practitioners
30 Euston Square, London NW1 2FB
7 June 2016
Dear Colleague
Invitation to support international exchanges for GPs
Volunteers from the RCGP Junior International Committee (JIC) organise an annual conference
exchange programme immediately preceding the RCGP Annual conference each year. Last
year nine generous Faculties responded to our request for help, with a total of £5020
donated to support this exchange. We were able to use these donations to host Junior
international GPs from across Europe and Asia.
This year we would like to host 20 Junior GPs for international exchanges during our Annual
conference in Harrogate on 6-8 October 2016. To achieve this we will need your help. If each of
our 32 Faculty were able to offer just £250, we could reach our goal of £8,000 to provide a
positive, informative, and enjoyable exchange experience for our international exchange GPs.
During the conference, international exchange GPs will have a chance to
● Spend two days at a UK GP practice
● Attend the pre-conference organised by our young doctors and AiTs
● Present a poster
● Participate in a dedicated fringe workshop, run by the JIC volunteers
● Attend social events to form links with their UK colleagues
Exchanges are also linked into the European Vasco da Gama WONCA exchange programme.
The benefits of these programmes are well recognised including mutual learning opportunities
that enhance the personal development of junior members, in terms of educational, academic
and networking skills. Furthermore, these exchanges nurture the RCGP relationships with other
countries and contribute to the aim of becoming a global health hub. Feedback from the
participants themselves show how much value is gained thanks to the generous support from
our Faculties:
“It gave me even more motivation and made me think about moving to work in the NHS.”
“On my return I felt very enthusiastic about making changes in the areas where I feel attention is
needed, I've spoken to colleagues and although they agree, they don't have as much energy to
commit to change...because they haven't had first hand experience”
“Anybody travelling overseas or abroad will broaden his point of view about himself, about his
practice ! It will make you stronger, more confident and give ideas to improve your environment”
“These days sharing ideas with colleagues of differents [sic} countries are amazing.. Everyone
has his own point of view, his own problems and his own solution. Share information,
organization, internal working structure is a win win process..”
In recognition of your donation, your Faculty will be offered RCGP JIC volunteer services such
as presentations to trainees at relevant events, signposting trainees to resources for OOPEs
and research, and promoting opportunities to participate in such placements and exchanges. All
delegates will also complete a short report of their experiences that can be shared with all
Faculties who donate to the exchange programme.
We are asking each Faculty to donate £250 and if there is any money unused from this year it
will be saved in the same designated fund in future to help to build a more sustainable
programme. We hope you can support this exciting project to engage your Faculty in an
international partnership with proven, wide-reaching mutual benefits.
We would be grateful if you could direct your donations to the RCGP’s bank account,
referenced “International exchange”:
Account number:
Sort Code:
Bank name:
20795550
20-06-05
Barclay Bank plc
If you are interested in supporting or require any further information regarding the international
exchange process or the JIC, please contact Dr. Ula Chetty at [email protected]
Yours gratefully
Dr Ula Chetty
RCGP Representative to
the Vasco da Gama
Movement of young doctors
of WONCA Europe
Dr Sandy Mather
Dr Cemal Kavasogullari
Head of RCGP International Treasurer JIC