Delivering hands on quality improvement to general practice across the UK
Primary Care Development (PCD) is the Royal College of General Practitioners’ established healthcare consultancy, working at scale to support commissions from general practices, PCNs, ICBs, Health Boards to deliver sustainable improvements in patient care. Since 2014, we have partnered with practices across the UK to tackle some of the most pressing challenges in primary care—helping teams improve access, strengthen workforce resilience and create more sustainable ways of working. For more information on the type of work we do, visit our Primary care development section on the RCGP website.
We are seeking experienced healthcare professionals and consultants to join our PCD Adviser team and deliver this work. As a PCD Adviser, you will work within an adviser team of GPs, Practice Managers, Advanced Nurse Practitioners and other Allied Healthcare Professionals—providing expert facilitation, analysis and improvement support that makes a tangible difference.
PCD works with practices to identify and address a wide range of issues and opportunities, including patient access, workforce development; enabling quality improvement and sustainability through bespoke quality improvement packages.
For applicants with greater availability, a significant proportion of our work also focuses on the delivery of NHSE Practice Level Support Programme (PLSP).
This intensive, structured quality improvement support works closely and regularly with individual general practices over a defined period (typically 12–15 weeks).
The PCD adviser is a sessional, flexible role, ideal for senior clinicians, managers and primary care professionals who:
* Have strong experience of quality improvement, transformation or system change
* Are confident working independently as a consultant
* Want to apply their expertise in a high-impact, practice-facing role
* If opting to support with PLSP delivery, can commit to regular engagement with practices.
We are particularly keen to recruit Advisers based in Wales, the North West, Midlands, South West and Northern Ireland, and those with the additional capacity to undertake ongoing PLSP work, which involves weekly practice visits during the delivery period.
PCD Advisers are part of a highly experienced, multi‑disciplinary consultancy team and are supported through clear methodologies, tools, peer support and the RCGP programme team—while retaining the flexibility and autonomy of freelance working.
Reports operationally to
PCD Operations Manager & Deputy Lead
Term of Office
12–24 months, fixed term, flexible, part time (subject to ongoing review) – renewable at end of term
Remuneration
The basic RCGP sessional rate is the equivalent of circa £270 per session. Commissions can be anywhere in the UK and at any time, so work cannot be guaranteed. Programmes require a flexible sessional commitment, with a fixed rate payment for support and specific outputs agreed with the commissioner, dependent on the demand for the College’s service.
Travel is often required, including to visit practices, or neighbourhoods in person, but expenses will be reimbursed in line with the RCGP’s travel policy.
* a session = 4 hours
** Reimbursement for travel expenses does not include any reimbursement for travel time unless there is a prior agreement in place.
Principal Responsibilities
As a PCD Adviser, you will work as a trusted healthcare consultant, partnering with GP practices, PCNs and system stakeholders to deliver practical, sustainable quality improvement.
The key responsibilities include: Working collaboratively with practices to identify priorities for improvement and co‑create tailored quality improvement plans. Providing supportive, non‑judgemental input to practices facing challenge, with professionalism, sensitivity and confidentiality. Undertaking practice visits, scoping and diagnostics, engaging key personnel. Producing clear diagnostic reports, recommendations and action plans, drawing on a range of data sources. Offering ongoing peer support and encouragement to practices throughout the improvement process. Escalating significant concerns to RCGP programmes team appropriately. Ensuring all work aligns with equality, diversity and inclusion principles and best practice. Participating in PCD training, workshops and quality assurance activity to maintain consistency and high standards.
Essential Attributes
* For clinical roles, current registration and good standing with the relevant professional body eg GMC, NMC, HCPC, GPC etc
* At least five years’ experience in general practice in an appropriate role.
* Strong understanding of the national primary care system and operating environment.
* Knowledge of patient access models, including telephony, online access and triage.
* Working knowledge of inspection and regulatory frameworks (e.g. CQC).
* Excellent communication, facilitation and relationship building skills.
* A genuine commitment to quality improvement, confidentiality and high professional standards.
* Ability to manage time effectively, work under pressure and deliver high‑quality written outputs.
* Professional‑level IT skills.
* Willingness and ability to travel for face‑to‑face practice visits and attend PCD QA events.
* Sufficient capacity within your own schedule to deliver PCD work, including sustained PLSP support.
Desirable Attributes
* Membership of a relevant professional college (e.g. RCGP, RCN).
* To have been active in a general practice within the past two years.
* Experience of practice leadership, management or transformation work.
* Understanding of underperformance and experience in supporting practices in difficulty.
* Experience working with regional or national stakeholders.
* Recent experience of practice inspections.
* Skills in carrying out needs assessment and root‑cause analysis.
* For ANP/ACP roles, MSc in Advanced Clinical Practice or equivalent experience.
Applications
If this PCD adviser role resonates with you, we would love to hear from you.
To apply, please send your CV with a one-page covering letter to practicesupport@rcgp.org.uk with the subject line RCGP PCDAdviser Application.
We are accepting applications on a rolling basis, we will acknowledge receipt of your application and the next steps.
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