School Update on recording and grading Urgent and Unscheduled Care learning
Following previous changes to the requirements for development of capability looking after patients in Urgent and Unscheduled care - we wish to draw your attention to some minor upgrades to the recording of capability on the GP Training Portfolio.
The OOH supervisor sheet has been amended. It will hopefully provide the Trainee with better feedback about their learning and progress and the ES with better information about the session. There is also improved guidance for the Clinical Supervisor on the Supervisor Sheet so that they can grade the trainee's development.
The requirement of the RCGP and GMC is that trainees should demonstrate capability to care for patients presenting in UUSC. To address these, it is important that trainees spend sufficient time in both in-hours and out of hours settings.
If you have any queries please forward the GP SW Assessment Hub
With best wishes,
Susanna Hill and John Edwards
ADs for Assessment
Peninsula and Severn GP Schools
Urgent and Unscheduled Care for GP Training in the South West
Dealing with urgent requests for help, triaging and treating emergencies in general practice are part of a GPSTs core curriculum (see Urgent and Unscheduled Care topic guide).
Traditionally it was felt that Out of Hours [OOH] was the main environment where trainees could gain this experience. However, it has been recognised that there is an increasing separation in many practices between Urgent and Unscheduled care and routine work, with practices adopting triage / duty / same day appointment systems. Trainees have an increasing opportunity to gain skills and develop capabilities in Urgent and Unscheduled Care outside of the OOH setting.
However, there are particular features of unscheduled care that require a specific educational focus, such as the increased risk of working in isolation, the 'high-stakes' nature of clinical decisions, the relative lack of supporting services and the frequent need to promote self-care. To address these, it is important that trainees spend sufficient time in both in-hours and out of hours settings.
Trainees must record evidence of how they are developing the capabilities for this group of patients on their portfolio, ultimately demonstrating competence to care for Urgent and Unscheduled Care patients.
The Educational Supervisor must confirm competence using appropriate evidence from the portfolio.
Further information can be found on the RCGP website;
To record evidence
Trainees should download the UUSC passport and complete the information section on the front page. This can be updated as appropriate and should be shown to Clinical Supervisors at the start of an OOH session.
For ‘Out of Hours’ Sessions
- Trainees must complete an UUSC log sheet and attach this to a log entry under “Supporting Documentation” on their portfolio and link the entry to the Clinical Experience Group – Urgent and Unscheduled Care and relevant capabilities.
- Clinical supervisors OOH complete the log sheet with the trainee and give a rating for the session.
- The ES should discuss the learning from the session and the progress demonstrated in the different capabilities. The trainee should refer to each session within the UUSC passport record as appropriate
For ‘In Hours’ evidence
- Trainees must record their experience in a log entry as a clinical case review and link the entry to the Clinical experience group – Urgent and Unscheduled care and link relevant capabilities.
- The ES should discuss the learning from the clinical case and the progress demonstrated in the different capabilities. The trainee should refer to the entry within the UUSC passport record.
Urgent and Unscheduled Care Passport and ARCP
This should be updated regularly as capabilities are addressed with the relevant log entry and attached to the portfolio as ‘supporting documentation’ prior to each ARCP.
Please refer to the UUSC Documents (shown on the left) for UUSC passport, session log and FAQ document.