The organisation began life in the summer of 1996 as the North East Locum Group (NELG). It was established as an independent, non-commercial voluntary organisation supporting GPs working outside traditional practice partnerships; including locums, assistants, retainers, salaried and retired GPs.
From the outset, the group sought to reduce the professional isolation experienced by many non-principal GPs and to improve their working lives. Its early aims included promoting fair and consistent working conditions, publishing guidance on locum fees and bookings, improving access to pensions and postgraduate education, representing locum interests to organisations such as health authorities, Local Medical Committees and the BMA, and organising regular educational and social meetings.
In September 1997, NELG helped establish a local Locum Coordination Service, supported by Sunderland Area Health Authority. This maintained an up-to-date register of local locums and helped practices find appropriate cover. During its early years, members also met regularly for informal professional discussions, educational events and social gatherings.
As general practice evolved, the group’s membership and activities expanded beyond locum GPs. It increasingly supported salaried GPs, retainers, returners, academic and teaching GPs and even public health doctors, medical managers and of course GPs developing portfolio careers.
A formal constitution was developed in 2009. In 2014, members approved a revised constitution by an online vote, with more than 90% of those voting in favour. At this stage, the organisation became the North East Sessional GP Group (NESG), reflecting its broader and more inclusive role.
Today, NESG remains an independent, non-profit membership organisation run principally by sessional GPs for sessional GPs. It provides professional information, educational activities, peer support, networking, learning groups and notifications of vacancies and other opportunities. It also helps members navigate matters such as appraisal and revalidation, pensions, contracts and different forms of GP employment.
Although the services and methods of communication have changed considerably since 1996, the organisation’s central purpose remains much the same: to provide sessional GPs across the North East with a professional community, a collective voice and practical support throughout their careers.
