The NASGP will shortly be distributing a free pocket-sized "Filofax" Personal Learning Portfolio to all 7,500 GPs working as non-principals in the UK. This project has been funded by the Department of Health through the Medical Education Unit of the NHS Executive and is entitled "Striving for Quality".

The personal learning portfolio was commissioned by the NHS Executive after the NASGP had expressed their concerns relating to the provision of, and access to, continuing medical education for non-principals, particularly in the light of the compulsory nature of both clinical governance and, more recently, revalidation. Whilst the NASGP warmly welcomes both these processes and accepts that all GPs, including non-principals, must take part in them we were concerned that non-principals may fall foul of these systems by being unable to easily accredit their learning.

"Striving for Quality" boldly tackles all these issues. In two sections, the first offers "Hints and Tips" for medical education for individual non-principals, organisers of non-principal groups and educational facilitators such as GP Tutors and Directors of Postgraduate Medical Education. The second section is a logbook and is sub-divided into areas for non-principals to record various aspects of their education such as personal and group learning, interesting patients, a career portfolio etc. The individual is encouraged to seek formal accreditation for their own portfolio.

Dr Robin Cairncross, head of the Medical Education Unit of the NHS Executive said "The CMO's report on Continuing Professional Development linked improvement in service to a process of lifelong learning, and the need for GPs to maintain and enhance their clinical, management and personal skills. This has highlighted the need for health professionals to take responsibility for their professional development, and, most importantly, to be aware of their learning needs and make the most of the range of educational opportunities available. Of course it is always useful to be aware of what one has learnt - often in an informal setting - to record and encapsulate this effectively and to evaluate the resulting change in behaviour.

"Striving for Quality" illustrates the possibilities inherent in this approach. It has, of course, been produced by the professional group for whom it is particularly relevant, but the ideas it contains and the methods it recommends are applicable to all NHS staff, professionals and non-professionals alike. Although aimed at non-principals, I feel sure that others will quickly appreciate the soundness of its essential advice."

All non-principals registered on the NASGP's National Non-Principal Database will shortly receive a copy of this document. All NASGP members are automatically registered on the database - non-principals who are not NASGP members must write to the NASGP at the address below to receive details on how to register and receive their free copy. The first 6,000 copies to be distributed with a Filofax binder.