PRIMARY CARE
General Practice Assistant (GPA)
As part of the wider team in general practice, General Practice Assistants provide a support role, carrying out administrative tasks, combined in some areas with basic clinical duties. They can help to free up GPs time and contribute to the smooth running of appointments, improving patients experience in the surgery. They are healthcare professionals educated to Master’s Level and have developed the skills and knowledge to allow them to take on expanded roles and scope of practice caring for patients.
Training & FAQs
General Practice Assistant Accredited Education
November 2026 update
PCWA (Primary Care Workforce Academy CIC) has been awarded the contract to deliver NHS England’s national General Practice Assistant (GPA) programme across all seven regions of England.
Applications are now open for candidates to sign up to attend this level 4 accredited training.
Click HERE to apply now
What is a General Practice Assistant?
A GPA works alongside GPs, taking on a mix of administrative and routine clinical tasks so GPs can spend more time with the patients who need them most. Depending on the practice, a GPA might:
- Manage and code clinical correspondence and test results
- Prepare for and follow up on consultations, including referrals, forms and letters
- Help patients navigate their care and act as a point of contact for queries
- Carry out routine clinical tasks such as blood pressure checks, phlebotomy, ECGs and urinalysis, once trained and signed off
- Support the GP in the day-to-day running of clinics
It’s a great development route for existing practice staff, such as receptionists, administrators, healthcare assistants or care coordinators, who want to build their clinical knowledge and take on more responsibility.
What happens after you apply?
PCWA will review your application
The PCWA team checks your eligibility and contacts your named GP supervisor to confirm their support.
You receive confirmation
PCWA will email to confirm your application has been accepted.
You’re allocated to a cohort
PCWA will tell you which cohort you’re in, your start date and your session links, so you and your practice can plan ahead.
For practices and PCNs: if you don’t yet have a GPA, this could be a chance to develop someone from your existing team into the role. Your training hub locality lead is able to talk it through with you, just get in touch.