Why Every Primary Care Staff Member Deserves Time to Learn, Develop and Thrive
I want to attend training, but I donβt always get the time.
I worry asking for PLT will make things difficult.
I canβt keep up-to-date because Iβm constantly firefighting.
Despite the growing complexity of Primary Care roles, many staff still face barriers, hesitation, or even discrimination when trying to access the training and development they are entitled to. And yet, we know something powerful and simple:
π Safe, high-quality Primary Care depends on a well-supported, well-trained workforce.
π Protected Learning Time (PLT) is essential, not optional.
π The CQC requires it through multiple strands of guidance and regulatory expectations.
To help practices feel confident in how training and development aligns with national expectations, we have summarised below how each relevant CQC resource supports the value of Protected Learning Time (PLT). These explanations are neutral and purely informational, the aim is simply to help teams understand the guidance available and how it can be used to strengthen workforce development.
Regulation 18: Staffing β Support, Training and Development
What this resource covers:
Regulation 18 outlines the overarching requirement for providers to ensure that staff have the training, professional development, supervision, and appraisal needed to carry out their roles safely and effectively. It applies to all settings regulated by the CQC, including Primary Care.
Why it is relevant to Protected Learning Time:
Regulation 18 emphasises that staff should be supported to maintain the skills and knowledge required for their duties. This includes having access to development opportunities during their employment. While the regulation does not prescribe how organisations must arrange learning time, many providers use PLT as one way to meet this requirement in a structured and consistent manner.
How this supports our message:
The regulation reinforces the principle that learning is an essential part of safe practice. Ensuring staff can access training aligns with both regulatory expectations and broader workforce wellbeing.
GP Myth buster 26: Practice Nurses
What this resource covers:
This mythbuster provides clarity around the expectations for supporting practice nurses, including induction, supervision, competency assessments, and opportunities for ongoing CPD.
Why it is relevant to Protected Learning Time:
The resource highlights the importance of practice nurses keeping skills up to date through regular development. Many practices find PLT a useful mechanism to ensure consistency and fairness in access to learning.
How this supports our message:
It reinforces that continuous development is an expected part of the practice nurse role and that practices are encouraged to provide supportive structures that make this possible.
How Protected Learning Time Supports Staff and Services
π± Why PLT Matters
Protected Learning Time creates space for staff to reflect, refresh skills and stay aligned with evolving practice needs.
π§ What Staff Gain
Increased confidence, up-to-date knowledge, and improved ability to carry out their roles safely and effectively.
π€ What Teams Gain
Better communication, clearer shared understanding, and more consistent approaches across the team.
π¬ What You Can Do Next
Explore your local training offers, plan ahead for PLT sessions, and create supportive conversations within your team.
GP Myth buster 66: Advanced Nurse Practitioners (ANPs)
What this resource covers:
This guidance explains how ANPs should be supported in maintaining the level of competency and clinical autonomy their role requires. It outlines the need for clear clinical governance, supervision, and professional development pathways.
Why it is relevant to Protected Learning Time:
The document notes that ANPs must have access to ongoing learning to practise safely at an advanced level. PLT is one approach practices may use to ensure ANPs have protected time to stay up to date with evolving clinical expectations.
How this supports our message:
It highlights that development for advanced roles is both important and expected, encouraging practices to consider how structured learning time can be built into their support systems.
GP Myth buster 81: Pharmacy Professionals in General Practice
What this resource covers:
This myth buster sets out what good support looks like for pharmacy technicians and pharmacists working in Primary Care. It includes induction expectations, access to supervision, leadership support, and ongoing training needs.
Why it is relevant to Protected Learning Time:
The CQC notes that pharmacy professionals should receive training and development opportunities that support their competence and professional growth. PLT can help ensure such opportunities are accessible and not dependent on workload fluctuations.
How this supports our message:
It offers reassurance that enabling training time for pharmacy teams is aligned with regulatory expectations and supports safe, high-quality care.
GP Myth buster 106: First Contact Practitioners (FCPs)
What this resource covers:
This guidance outlines the competencies, supervision requirements, and capability frameworks associated with the FCP role. It stresses the need for ongoing oversight and structured development.
Why it is relevant to Protected Learning Time:
FCPs require time for supervision, reflection, and skills maintenance. While the mythbuster does not prescribe PLT specifically, it highlights the importance of ensuring staff have the right support and training β something PLT can help facilitate.
How this supports our message:
It strengthens the case that development is an essential part of the FCP role and that practices benefit when learning is planned and supported.
Strengthening Our Workforce, One Opportunity at a Time
Protected Learning Time is not about taking staff away from work β itβs about enabling them to do their work better, safer and with more confidence.
When PLT is supported:
Staff feel valued rather than overwhelmed
Patients benefit from safer, more personalised care
Teams gain new ideas, stronger skills and better communication
Primary Care becomes more resilient and future-proof
PLT is how we invest in people.
People are how we invest in Primary Care.
And Primary Care is how we deliver a healthier Nottinghamshire.
Supporting PLT is supporting the future.
Want to Improve Your PLT Culture?
If your staff need protected learning time β support them.
If your teams want training β enable it.
If you want to strengthen your workforce β prioritise development.
NATH is here to help you with:
Training
CPD funding
Apprenticeships
Supervision frameworks
Development pathways
Leadership programmes
Digital literacy support
...and more!
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