Protected Learning Time in General Practice
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Protected Learning Time?
NHS Lanarkshire is committed to ensuring that we provide the best possible care to our patients at all times. In order to support and sustain valuable general practices, Protected Learning Time (PLT) was introduced in June 2024 across all participating GP practices in each of our 10 localities.
PLT is an opportunity for the GP practice team including clinical, management and administrative staff and members of the wider (NHS Board / Health and Social Care Partnership) team to address learning and professional development needs.
Only those GP practices mentioned under each date will be participating in PLT. All other GP practices will remain open and patients should contact their practice in the normal way.
Can I still speak to a GP during the PLT sessions?
Yes. If you require acute or urgent care during the time your practice is closed, NHS Lanarkshire has a team of receptionists and GPs available to backfill clinical activity for your GP Practice.
When you call your GP practice your call will either be diverted to the PLT team directly, or the GP practice telephone system answerphone message will ask you to select a number which will transfer you to our team to help while your GP practice is closed.
If your call to the GP practice is routine – for example, requiring test/diagnostic results or requesting a repeat prescription, you will be asked to call back the following day.
What to expect when I speak to a member of the PLT Team?
You will firstly speak to a dedicated call handler who will ask you some key questions to understand the reason for your call, to determine whether you require acute or urgent care.
If deemed appropriate, you will be transferred by the call handlers to a GP who will initially carry out a telephone consultation with you to establish whether your care can be managed by this route and agree the most appropriate treatment and care required.
GPs can also see you face-to-face, if required, within a primary care centre that is as close to your home as possible and arrange an appointment that day for you.
There is also the option (if the GP deems it to be clinically required) of a home visit by a GP and this can be arranged following your clinical assessment.
How often will PLT take place?
Each GP practice across NHS Lanarkshire will be closing for PLT three times a year on a rolling programme, on a Wednesday afternoon between 2pm and 6pm.
How will I know when my GP practice is closing for PLT sessions to take place?
NHS Lanarkshire will ensure that there is advanced notice given to your GP practice ahead of their scheduled PLT sessions to facilitate planning and timely communication to the practice team and patients.
When will my GP practice be closed?
GP practice closure dates for October and November 2026.
Cambuslang and Rutherglen – Wednesday 21 October 2026
The Stonelaw Practice, Rutherglen Health Centre, 130 Stonelaw Road, Rutherglen, G73 2PQ
Skye Glen Medical Practice, Rutherglen Health Centre, 130 Stonelaw Road, Rutherglen, G73 2PQ
Drs Jordan & Canning, Rutherglen Health Centre, 130 Stonelaw Road, Rutherglen, G73 2PQ
Overtoun Medical Practice, Rutherglen Health Centre, 130 Stonelaw Road, Rutherglen, G73 2PQ
Dr Friel & Dr Bagnall, Rutherglen Health Centre, 130 Stonelaw Road, Rutherglen, G73 2PQ
Silverbank Surgery, Ardoch Medical Centre, 6 Ardoch Grove, Cambuslang, G72 8HA
Ardoch Medical Practice, Ardoch Medical Centre, 6 Ardoch Grove, Cambuslang, G72 8HA
North Avenue Surgery, 18 North Avenue, Cambuslang, G72 8AT
Mill Street Surgery, 81 Mill St., Rutherglen, Glasgow G73 2LD
The Craigallian Avenue Practice, 11 Craigallian Avenue, Cambuslang, G72 8RW
Bellshill – Wednesday 28 October 2026
Bruce Medical Centre, 2 Pollock Street, Mossend, Bellshill, ML4 1QD
The Willow Practice, Viewpark Health Centre, 119 Burnhead Street, Viewpark, Uddingston, G71 5SU
Old Mill Surgery, Viewpark Health Centre, 119 Burnhead Street, Viewpark, Uddingston, G71 5SU
MacInnes Medical Centre, 60/64 High Street, Newarthill, ML1 5JU
Holytown Surgery, 43/45 Main Street, Holytown, ML1 4TH
Newarthill Medical Practice, 15 Carfin Road, Newarthill, ML1 5AG
John Street Surgery, Bellshill Community Health Clinic, Greenmoss Pl, Bellshill ML4 1PS
Fullwood Medical Practice, 120 Stevenston Street, New Stevenston, ML1 4LT
Mossend Surgery, 494 Main Street, Bellshill, ML4 1DQ
Holytown Surgery 43-45 Main St ML1 4TH
Clydesdale – Wednesday 4 November 2026
Alba Medical Group – Lanark, Woodstock Road, Lanark, ML11 7DH
Medwyn Medical Practice, 7 Biggar Road, Carnwath, ML11 8HJ
Glebe Medical Practice, Glebe Medical Centre, Abbeygreen, Lesmahagow, ML11 0DB
Blackwood Medical Practice, 125 Carlisle Road, Blackwood, ML11 9RT
Douglasdale Medical Practice, 69 Ayr Road, Douglas, Lanark, ML11 0PX
Kingshill Medical Practice, 40 Manse Road, Forth, ML11 8AJ
Biggar Medical Practice, Biggar Health Centre, South Croft Road, Biggar, ML12 6BE
St Luke’s Medical Practice, Carluke Community H.C., 40 Chapel Street, Carluke, ML8 4BA
High Mill Medical Practice, Carluke Community H.C., 40 Chapel Street, Carluke, ML8 4BA
North – Wednesday 11 November 2026
Jamieson Medical Practice, 2 Cliffvale Road, Chryston G69 9DW
Nalagatla Medical Practice, 146 Cumbernauld Road, Stepps G33 6HA
Stepps Surgery, 131 Cumbernauld Road, Stepps G33 6EY
Condorrat Medical Practice, Condorrat Health Centre, 16 Airdrie Road, Condorrat G67 4DN
Caledonia Medical Practice, Central Health Centre, North Carbrain Road, Cumbernauld G67 1BJ
The Glen Medical Practice, Central Health Centre, North Carbrain Road, Cumbernauld G67 1BJ
Kenilworth Medical Centre, 1 Kenilworth Court, Greenfaulds, Cumbernauld G67 1BP
Abronhill Medical Centre, Abronhill Health Centre, Pine Road, Abronhill G67 3BE
Saltire Medical Practice, Abronhill Health Centre, Pine Road, Abronhill G67 3BE
Kilsyth Medical Partnership, Kilsyth Community Health Centre, Airdrie Road, Kilsyth G65 9JE
Hamilton and Blantyre – 18 November 2026
Calderside Medical Practice, Blantyre Health Centre, Victoria Street, Blantyre G72 0BS
Victoria Medical Practice, Blantyre Health Centre, Victoria Street, Blantyre G72 0BS
Bothwell Medical Centre, 3 Uddingston Road, Bothwell G71 8ET
Auchinraith Medical Practice, Blantyre Health Centre, Victoria Street, Blantyre G72 0BS
Gallowhill Medical Centre, 4/6 Gallowhill, Larkhall ML9 1EX
Morgan Glen Surgery, Morgan Glen Place, Larkhall ML9 1RJ
The Avon Medical Practice, 1 Academy Street, Larkhall ML9 2BJ
Lincluden Medical Centre, 82 Bellshill Road, Uddingston G71 7NE
Motherwell – Wednesday 25 November 2026
The Motherwell Medical Practice, Motherwell Health Centre, 138-144 Windmillhill Street, Motherwell ML1 1TB
Orchard Medical Centre, 41 Ladywell Road, Motherwell ML1 3JX
Clyde Practice, Motherwell Health Centre, 138-144 Windmillhill Street, Motherwell ML1 1TB
Dr A Porte & Partners, Modyrvale Medical Centre, Toll Street, Motherwell ML1 2PJ
Knowetop Medical Practice, Motherwell Health Centre, 138-144 Windmillhill Street, Motherwell ML1 1TB
Contact Us
Resources
- NHS Scotland Publication – Protected Learning Time in General Practice – https://www.sehd.scot.nhs.uk/pca/PCA2023(M)05.pdf
- CPD Connect – What is Protected Learning Time – https://www.cpdconnect.nhs.scot/news/what-is-protected-learning-time/
- Scottish Rural Medicine Collaborative (SMRC) – Retaining our GP workforce in Scotland – https://www.srmc.scot.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/RCGP-Scotland-Retaining-Our-GP-Workforce-report-2022.pdf
- The General Medical Council – How lifelong learning for doctors is valued, managed and supported in the UK – https://www.gmc-uk.org/-/media/documents/how-lifelong-learning-for-doctors-is-valued–managed-and-supported-in-the-uk_pdf-88400948.pdf
