Fellowships

Fellowships are intended to meet current and future Primary Care workforce needs, supported locally by Training Hubs within their Integrated Care Systems (ICSs.)

The investment in Primary Care set out in the GP Forward View includes funding for post-qualification fellowships. These are innovative posts available for clinical staff in their first 5-10 years after qualification.

The post-qualification fellowships deliver benefits to the Fellows, patients, local health systems and the wider NHS and support the development of new ways of working.

For more information on the fellowships available, please see below.

Trailblazer Fellowship

The Trailblazer scheme allows motivated, qualified clinical staff, to work in practices in areas of socio-economic deprivation. The aim is to develop the skills, knowledge, experience, and resilience to stay working in these challenging, but incredibly rewarding, environments and to help practices in understaffed areas to recruit and retain clinicians.

The scheme started in 2018 in Yorkshire and the Humber and was closely modelled on the Deep End pioneer scheme in Scotland. In 2020, the scheme was expanded to other parts of England, including the Midlands.

Programme of Education

The scheme is supported by a programme of education and support provided by Fairhealth. Fairhealth is a registered charity that has been developed and maintained by front line primary care professionals since its inception.

Fairhealth run a monthly programme that brings together clinical staff on Trailblazer and other deprivation and health equity focused fellowships.

Regional Peer-Support

In additional to the education programme provided by Fairhealth, the scheme is complemented by regional peer-support and learning.

2024/2025 Trailblazer Fellowship Report

Our 2024/2025 Trailblazer Fellowship Report highlighting the remarkable achievements of our 5 multidisciplinary fellows who worked on deprivation-focused projects in Primary Care during their 12-month fellowship programme between September 2024 and September 2025 is now available to read at the link below.

2024/2025 Trailblazer Fellowship Report

2026/2027 Trailblazer Fellows

Our 2026/2027 Trailblazer fellows are Dr Adedapo Adelekan and Dr Zainab Aasem, who will be working on projects focusing on carer support and women’s health. We look forward to supporting them through their programme.

Leadership Fellowship

The Leadership Fellowship is a 12-month programme aimed at GPs and nurses who are looking to develop and enhance their leadership skills.

What Does the Programme Include?

  • Funding for up to 2 protected sessions (8 hours 20 minutes) per week to engage in leadership training, shadowing, leadership-based project work, peer networking and supportive conversations and activities
  • A dedicated mentor from the Training Hub providing career and programme guidance and coaching
  • Monthly online talks delivered by experienced clinicians on a broad range of topics. Past topics have included Introduction to the LMC and PCNs, Quality Improvement, Personalised Care, How to Give and Receive Feedback Well, Wellbeing, Leadership, Small Group Teaching, Health Inequalities and Conflict Resolution.
  • Regular celebration and networking events

What Are the Benefits of the Programme?

  • Enhanced leadership skills for GPs and nurses
  • Additional access to monthly talks on relevant topics
  • Improved staff wellbeing with celebration and networking events
  • Benefits for personal and professional development
  • Opportunity to undertake project work during fellowship time

New to Practice Fellowship/Career Start talks

For recordings of previous New to Practice Fellowship/Career Start talks, please click button below:

Practice Fellowship/Career Start talks

Project Presentations from Current and Previous Fellows

We hope that these presentations will provide a source of inspiration for new and existing fellows.

Directory of Useful Contacts for Fellows

We have started a directory of useful contacts for fellows, including providers of relevant training courses. This is very much a work in progress and the list will be updated at regular intervals. If you have any contacts you feel it would be useful to add, please send to ruth.pollock@nhs.net

Directory of Useful Contacts for Fellows