We listen when you need to be heard

GPST membership is for GP trainees in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales. If you are a GP trainee in England please refer to affiliate membership. 

Find your feet with the MDU by your side when you’re training to be a GP with our expert guidance, personal support and robust defence if your clinical competence or care of patients is questioned.

Our 24-hour medico-legal helpline is here for you. As well as professional indemnity, you can look to us for support and guidance with a patient complaint or practical advice on issues such as consulting with patients remotely.

Plus, get training support and CPD with our learning resources and online guidance and advice.

Red Whale logo

GPST membership now also includes NEW Trainee Support package from Red Whale.

GPST membership includes multiple learning resources from the MDU and Red Whale. One of the UK's leading medical education providers, Red Whale delivers high quality training, education and resources to over 30,000 primary care colleagues each year. Terms and conditions apply.

To find out more about what's on offer from Red Whale, click here.

What are the benefits?

  • Professional medical indemnity that meets GMC requirements, pays your legal costs and compensates patients if you face a claim.

  • Expert advice from our 24-hour medico-legal helpline on difficult ethical areas such as patient consent, capacity and confidentiality.
  • Red Whale Knowledge: access 900+ written resources to support you in consultation and with your CPD.
  • Red Whale Top ATK Topics - Digital Handbook: Covering areas that trainees struggle with the most.
  • Get evidence for revalidation and stay up to date with MDU online CPD, courses and webinars.
  • Exclusive member rate on accountancy, tax and business advisory services with specialist medical accountancy firm, Armstrong Watson LLP.

  • Stay up to date with case studies, ethical dilemmas and the MDU journal.
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GP Trainee Essentials support package by Red Whale

Exclusively available to GPST MDU members and affiliates - FREE (worth £165)

Designed to build your knowledge and confidence and help you pass your exams. Suitable for all GP Trainees and runs by training year (Aug-Jul).

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With you every step of the way

The MDU is here for you, no matter what challenges you face throughout your career.

Find out how we supported one GP member through a stressful GMC investigation lasting two years.

Two steps to becoming a member

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Get a quote

Request a quote first to find out how much your subscription will be. Within a few working days, we’ll email you an application pack, including your quote.

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Complete your application

Simply fill out our GPST application form.

Frequently asked questions

When will I receive my Red Whale login details?

You’ll set up your Red Whale login details (if you don’t already have an account) when you sign up for the GP Trainee Essentials package. We’ll send you an email approximately 6 weeks after joining the MDU for GPST membership with a unique code for you to sign up for this package for free – along with instructions on how to redeem your code.

How do I access my free Red Whale content?

Approximately 6 weeks after your affiliate membership is live, you will receive a unique code by email to get free access to Red Whale GP Trainee Essentials. We’ll include instructions in your email of how to redeem your code to sign up for free to the package. Once you’re signed up, simply log in to your account on redwhale.co.uk to get started with your resources (if you don’t already have an account, it’s quick and easy to create one when you sign up for GP Trainee Essentials)  – you’ll have access to all 900+ Red Whale articles and GEMS straight away, plus access to upcoming webinars - or on demand access to any that have already taken place.

Do I get further discounts with Red Whale as an MDU GPST member?

The Red Whale GP Trainee Essentials package is currently available to GPST 1, 2 and 3s and members may sign up for the package on each of their training years, so you can continue to benefit from this support package throughout your GP training journey. We are also currently offering an exclusive member benefit to those who take up full MDU membership as a first year GP to support you in your early career: one free Red Whale online course of your choice. If you continue your Affiliate membership with the MDU until the end of your GP training, we’ll be in touch to let you know more about this close to when you reach your CCT.

How do you calculate a session?

Your subscription is based on the average number of weekly sessions you work across your membership year, and we define a session as a block of anything up to four hours of clinical work.

Here's how to work out the number of hours worked per week:

  • Do include:
    • anything that might give rise to a clinical negligence claim, such as time spent writing up clinical notes, making referrals, issuing prescriptions and so on
    • regularly worked extra hours (eg, if the surgery frequently overruns)
  • Don't include:
    • time spent on general admin, employee issues, etc.
    • extra hours you might occasionally work (eg, if the surgery occasionally overruns beyond your scheduled hours)
    • annual/study leave or time away from the practice.

Once you know the number of hours you work a week, you can work out the number of sessions:

Calculating sessions

If you’re not sure if your subscription is session-based or you have any questions about calculating sessions, contact our membership team on 0800 716 376.

How long will it take to process my application?

Everyone’s application is unique to their work circumstances.

It’s best to start the application process around four weeks before your current indemnity ends. This will allow plenty of time for your current provider to give you a letter of good standing, if needed.

We’ll keep you regularly updated by email once we’ve received your application. If we haven’t got everything we need, we’ll be in touch to clarify things.

To avoid any gaps in your indemnity, it’s important you don’t cancel your current indemnity until your MDU membership is confirmed.

Can I start work immediately after I’ve applied?

No. It’s important you wait to hear back from us about your application first. Please call our membership team on 0800 716 376 if you require your membership to start sooner.

What information do I need to complete my membership application?

Depending on your role, please have details about your work, registration, qualifications and indemnity history to hand.

I need help completing my application form. Who do I contact?

We’re always here to help and answer any questions. Call our membership team on 0800 716 376 or connect with your local MDU liaison manager here.