GPwER (formerly GPwSI)

General Practitioners' with an Extended Role (GPwER) in Dermatology and Skin Surgery

The process of National Accreditation for GPwERs (formerly GPwSIs) in Dermatology and Skin Surgery is now live on the RCGP website:

The new process covers those candidates new to GPwER work and also the transition of existing GPwSIs, and focuses on the individual rather than the service.

The process of accreditation can now take place with the support of consultants or RCGP accredited GPwERs working in the same scope of practice. The RCGP will be building up a geographical database of accredited GPwERs who can help train others where needed.

There will be occasions where an individual is unable to proceed with accreditation as a result of not having a local senior clinical supervisor who is able/willing to support the process. I am currently in discussions with the British Association of Dermatologists as to how we best mange such circumstances, updates will be provided on this webpage.

All questions relating to GPwERs must be directed to gpwer@rcgp.org.uk​ and NOT the PCDS.


General guidance

Several sites provide general guidance on commissioning:


Health care needs and quality of care

The assessment of local health care needs and the quality of care provided by existing providers are central to service review and design:

Managing skin cancer the in the community

Other documents on commissioning

  • Please click here for the PCDS document which provides practical advice on setting up services for GPwSI

Audit and other research

In order for the PCDS to support GPwSI and others working in the community it is important that you tell us about your work. Examples of information that are useful to the PCDS include:

  • Audit - results of patient experience questionnaires, BCC complete excision rates, impacts on Secondary Care waiting lists (dermatology and / or plastic surgery) and cost-effectiveness
  • Models of care - if you have developed a successful model of care, then with your permission we can share it with others. Below is an example of one such service:

Please email all such information to pcds@pcds.org.uk