GPST membership

Designed specifically for GP trainees

GPST membership is for GP trainees in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales. If you're a GP trainee in England, see our Affiliate membership.

Find your feet with the MDU by your side when you're training to be a GP. Our 24-hour medico-legal helpline is here for you. As well as professional indemnity, you can look to us for personal support and robust defence if your clinical competence or care of patients is questioned.

Apply now Get a quote

Red Whale logo

GPST membership also includes GP Trainee Essentials from Red Whale

GPST membership includes multiple learning resources from Red Whale. One of the UK's leading medical education providers, Red Whale delivers high quality training, education and resources to over 25,000 primary care colleagues each year.Terms and conditions apply.

"I have Red Whale open first thing upon arriving at my clinic.
As a GPST2 this is my bible and gets me through my day."
- Red Whale user

Red Whale Knowledge

Access 900+ written resources to support you in consultation and with your CPD

Red Whale Top AKT Topics - Digital Handbook

Covering areas trainees struggle with the most

Red Whale webinars

Available throughout the training year to support you with exam preparation

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.

Benefits of GPST membership

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.
Exclusive member rate on accountancy, tax and business advisory services with specialist medical accountancy firm, Armstrong Watson LLP.

Get evidence for revalidation and stay up to date with MDU online CPD, courses and webinars.
GP Trainee Essentials educational package from leading medical education providers, Red Whale.
Stay up to date with case studies, ethical dilemmas and the MDU journal. Delivered straight to your inbox.

Two steps to becoming a member

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.

Complete your application

Simply fill out our GPST application form.

When will I receive my Red Whale login details?

You will receive an email approximately six weeks after joining the MDU with a unique code and instructions on how to access the GP Trainee Essentials package on the Red Whale website.

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

If you stay with the MDU as a first-year GP, you will get access to a free online course from Red Whale, worth up to £205.

I'm a GPST in England and my indemnity is provided by my deanery, can I remain an MDU member?

Yes, you can apply for free Affiliate membership which provides access to Red Whale GP Trainee Essentials, the MDU journal, cautionary tales, online guidance and access to CPD courses. Affiliate membership is available to GPSTs in England and excludes indemnity for claims.

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 email membership@themdu.com.

Medico-legal helpline 0800 716 646

GPST