Dr Helen Rainford

As a Co-Lead for Primary Care Curriculum, Helen's aim is to help 'bring to life' the clinical sciences and theory that the students are learning in phase 1. Using the skills that she has developed as a clinical generalist and educator, Helen has introduced Primary Care teaching sessions, along with asynchronous learning tools to scaffold the students theoretical learning. Helen also introduces the students to the language of prescribing and the mathematical literacy required for future practice.

Helen is also focussed on delivering teaching in the early years of the MBBS and MPAS courses that develop the students' understanding of the role of the GP, the primary care principle of holistic care and long-term conditions management whilst also role modelling primary care as a career pathway early on in their studies.

Helen is a Prestonian and grew up not far from the Preston campus in the Plungington Area of the city. She attended local schools and then studied medicine at the University of Sheffield. After a brief spell undertaking basic surgical training, Helen joined the Sheffield GP vocational training scheme and qualified as a GP in 2008. Helen gained her postgraduate certificate of medical education again at the University of Sheffield and became a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy in 2012 and then became a GP Trainer.

Helen was a GP partner for 13 years at a practice in Barnsley and specialised in helping patients with substance misuse issues and the health effects of deprivation whilst teaching excellent communication and consultation skills to GP speciality trainees. Helen became a Fellow of the Royal College of General Practitioners in 2019 in recognition of her grassroots work. Helen made the decision to come back to the correct side of Pennines and took up her role here in 2021 alongside her clinical work as a locum GP.