Which GMC credentials are currently being developed?
- How will credentialing affect postgraduate training
- Which GMC credentials are currently being developed
- What is the process for approving a GMC credential
We have worked with the UK Medical Education Reference Group (UKMERG) to prioritise a small number of areas that are being considered for approval as credentials. These 'early adopters' are:
- Cosmetic surgery - Intercollegiate Cosmetic Surgery Oversight Committee (ICSOC), representing the surgical royal colleges
- Liaison psychiatry - Royal College of Psychiatry
- Mechanical thrombectomy - Royal College of Radiologists
- Rural and remote health - NHS Education for Scotland
- Pain medicine - Faculty of Pain Medicine.
We are introducing credentials in a phased approach and are supporting the early adopters to reach full approval and prepare for implementation. Following this phase, we will carry out an evaluation before beginning work on any future GMC credentials. This will enable us to properly evaluate and learn from this phase to ensure smoother progress for any GMC credentials in the future.
Who will decide which areas become GMC credentials?
The UKMERG is currently the forum for the discussion and approval of matters relating to medical education and training. It has representation from organisations responsible for UK medical workforce planning and education, such as the four UK departments of health, Health Education England, NHS Education for Scotland, Health Education and Improvement Wales, and the Northern Ireland Medical and Dental Training Agency.
In most cases, the UKMERG will prioritise and recommend discrete areas of practice that could be considered as possible GMC credentials in order to help support patients and/or the service. Representatives of the UKMERG, where necessary, may support relevant organisations to scope out, develop and pilot areas before they are proposed to the GMC for approval as a credential.
