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See also Sessional GPs and locums guidance in the document library

Kamilla Porter
Kamilla Porter is a member of South Essex LMC.

South Essex GP Group (Previously known as the Southend Sessional GP Group)

A brief history
The South Essex GP Group is a self-directed learning and peer support group set up originally for locum and salaried doctors but partners are also welcome. The Southend SGP Group was established in 2009 and started out as a group of four meeting up informally in one another’s front room for a general chat and peer support.  Following on from the success of the inaugural Essex SGP Conference in 2011 the group expanded and since then meetings take place at the Spire Wellesley Hospital in Southend.

To reflect the broader participation of GPs from across both South West and South East Essex and several members becoming partners, the group changed its name to South Essex GP Group in November 2015. Dr Kamilla Porter was one of the original founding members of the group and has facilitated the meetings since the outset. The LMC helps with administration of the group and circulating information.

The group today
The South Essex GP Group discuss a wide range of issues, especially those pertinent to working as a sessional doctor and has members who are just starting out in general practice and others who have become sessional doctors after many years in partnership.  It is fascinating to have the different perspectives of such a diverse group and the meetings are a great source of information

It can be quite isolating working as a sessional doctor or being a part-time partner. Meeting regularly with other colleagues is a good opportunity to share experiences, interesting cases, significant events and difficulties that may be encountered in a non-threatening forum, similar to VTS/TP meetings for trainees.

The meetings generally comprise a clinical update from an invited speaker for around one hour followed by general discussion time. The topics, based on suggestions by the group, are wide-ranging and include AF, heart failure, personality disorders, new cancer guidelines, skin disorders, practical session on inhalers and updates from Medicines Management to name but a few. Many members’ ideas have also been incorporated into the Essex Sessional GP Conference which has been running every year since 2011.

Joining the group
Meetings take place on a Thursday evening once a month from 8-10pm at the Spire Wellesley Hospital and newcomers are most welcome once they have emailed me or the LMC in advance.

If you would like more information about the group and future meetings please email:

kkporter@doctors.org.uk
Dr Kamilla K Porter
Facilitator for South Essex GP Group

Current representative for the Eastern Region on the Sessional GP Subcommittee of the GPC– Dr Elizabeth Robinson (elizabethr999@gmail.com)

For more information please read her introduction and the work the subcommittee is doing. Download Introduction (Word Doc – 27k)

To find out more about future conferences please go to the events page.


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