The way we approve learning environments in primary care has changed. We now use a unified process that brings together NHS England, Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), General Medical Council (GMC) and higher education institutions (HEI) (university - except medical students) audits into one streamlined approach called the Unified Learning Environment (ULE) audit.
The process is led by Training Hubs and supported by the North West Primary Care School.
Within the North West, we have developed the audit to offer two flexible routes:
An individual GP practice can be approved as a single learning environment. The ICS Training Hub provides overarching educational governance and quality management.
A multi-provider organisation, such as a primary care network (PCN) or federation, can be approved. Each individual environment within the multi-provider organisation wanting to be involved in education and training will complete a single learning environment audit. The multi-provider organisation completes an additional audit and takes on overarching educational governance of these learning environments. The Training Hub remains responsible for quality management.
Environments are assessed via a virtual multi-disciplinary team (MDT) review incorporating NHS England, Training Hub and HEI representation. The MDT outcome recommendations are sent to the North West primary care school.
The primary care school ratifies the learning environment audit outcome and outlines the subsequent quality assurance processes which must be followed.
GP practices previously approved via the NHS route (GP training or FY2-approved learning environment) can expand the learners in their environment by submitting a brief audit to their ICS Training Hub for a desktop review. This audit must demonstrate that the practice has appropriate educators, mentors, assessors and supervisors, has capacity for the learner, and understands relevant curriculum requirements.
GP practices with a HEI audit (NWPEG) in place for non-medical workforce placements need to be approved via the ULE route once their HEI audit expires. Dependent on the HEI, this is usually reviewed after two years. At this point, the Training Hub will ascertain if a full ULE MDT or desktop review is required.
All placements supporting learners within primary care should be in NHS England-approved learning environments. Once approved, these environments maintain approval via quality monitoring arrangements with ICS Training Hubs, primarily based on placement, educator and learner feedback and self-declaration. A significant change in the organisation or a detrimental Care Quality Commission (CQC) status would also trigger a review of the learning environment.
There is plenty of support available to help you through this process. It's a good idea to speak to:
Learning environments need to ensure that all prospective sites understand the implications of becoming a recognised learning environment. Having learners within an organisation will require input from administrative as well as clinical staff. Local Training Hubs can provide help and information on what to expect.
When applying, consider all types of learners that your organisation can support, such as nurses, pharmacists, advanced care practitioners, apprenticeships and others. Complete the application form so it applies to all the learners your organisation wishes to host.
There is fluidity around educators and who they can support. Please contact your Training Hub for further information.
Unified learning environment audits are submitted via PARE (Practice Assessment Record and Evaluation). If you do not have access to PARE, please contact your local Training Hub to grant you access.
For further information on how to become an approved learning environment, and what the audit process looks like, please view our comprehensive guide to becoming an approved learning environment.
To apply for approval as a learning environment, please contact your local Training Hub:
Email: GMTH@GMFeds.co.uk
Website: gmthub.co.uk
Email: cmicb-sth.cheshireandmerseysideth@nhs.net
Website: cmthub.co.uk
Email: mbpcc.lscthub@nhs.net
Website: lscthub.co.uk
Find out more about what the GP educator role involves and funding available for GP educators, the applications steps to become a GP educator and the approved learning environment processes in the North West below: