Opening GPAtlas…

📘 Mandatory Training · By role

Mandatory training for GPs

GP partners, salaried GPs and locum GPs working in NHS general practice in England. The practice must satisfy itself that locums are trained (CQC GP mythbuster 50) and may accept equivalent certificates from other platforms (BMA). Partner-only duties are flagged in the reasons.

CQC sets no fixed list of courses: each practice decides through its own training needs analysis. This page shows what national guidance and regulators expect for the role.

Needed for the role

  • Safeguarding Adults, Level 3 (free, 1 CPD hour): RCGP safeguarding standards (2024) put GPs at Level 3 for adults; practice safeguarding leads also stay at Level 3, not Level 4. Source
  • Safeguarding Children, Level 3 (free, 1 CPD hour): RCGP puts GPs at Level 3 for children, and the 2025 intercollegiate document expects Level 3 for anyone giving a clinical service to children. Source
  • Resuscitation Adults, Level 2 (free, 1 CPD hour): Resuscitation Council UK and CQC say clinical staff update at least yearly and must be able to use an AED as soon as possible after a collapse. Source
  • Resuscitation Paediatric, Level 2 (free, 0.75 CPD hours): Resuscitation Council UK expects primary care staff to train in resuscitation of both adults and children to the level of their role. Source
  • Infection Prevention and Control, Level 2 (free, 1 CPD hour): Level 2 is for staff who give direct patient care (NHS Core Skills Training Framework), and CQC expects the practice IPC policy to state training and update frequency. Source
  • Mental Capacity Act, Level 1 (free, 0.75 CPD hours): CQC Regulation 11 says staff who obtain consent must know and apply the Mental Capacity Act, and CQC lists MCA training among the evidence it expects. Source
  • Fire Safety, Level 1 (free, 0.75 CPD hours): The Fire Safety Order (art. 21) requires adequate fire training on recruitment and when risks change, and CQC lists fire safety training among the evidence it expects. Source
  • Health, Safety and Welfare, Level 1 (free, 0.75 CPD hours): Employers must give health and safety training on recruitment and when risks change (Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, reg 13). Source
  • Data Security Awareness, Level 1 (free, 0.75 CPD hours): The Data Security and Protection Toolkit expects all staff with access to personal data to complete data security training every year, with at least 95% of staff trained. Source
  • Duty of Candour, Level 1 (free, 0.75 CPD hours): CQC checks that practices train all staff on communicating with patients about notifiable safety incidents (Regulation 20). Source

Recommended

  • Anaphylaxis, Level 1 (free, 0.75 CPD hours): CQC expects clinicians to be able to manage expected emergencies such as anaphylaxis; it becomes required every year if you vaccinate (UKHSA). Source
  • Sepsis Awareness, Level 1 (free, 0.75 CPD hours): CQC may check that training helps staff recognise deteriorating patients who may have sepsis, and expects clinical staff to be trained to calculate a NEWS score. Source
  • Preventing Radicalisation, Basic Prevent Awareness, Level 1 (free, 0.75 CPD hours): Level 3 builds on Level 1-2 competence, so take it at induction unless your Level 3 course already covers it; our course cannot give you Level 3. Source
  • Equality, Diversity and Human Rights, Level 1 (free, 0.75 CPD hours): No law or CQC rule names this course for GP staff; the NHS Core Skills Training Framework sets it for all staff every 3 years. Source
  • Conflict Resolution, Level 1 (free, 0.75 CPD hours): The NHS Core Skills Training Framework sets it for staff in direct contact with the public; for GP practices CQC leaves the choice to the practice. Source
  • Moving and Handling, Level 1 (free, 0.75 CPD hours): The BMA says the need depends on the tasks you do (Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992); the NHS framework sets Level 1 for all staff. Source
  • Learning Disability and Autism, awareness primer, Level 1 (free, 0.75 CPD hours): Useful background, but it is not Oliver McGowan training and cannot meet the statutory code alone (no live session co-delivered by people with lived experience, no accreditation). Source
  • Chaperones, Level 1 (free, 0.5 CPD hours): CQC says all staff should understand the chaperone role, and clinicians must offer a chaperone for intimate examinations and record it. Source
  • Consent, Level 1 (free, 0.75 CPD hours): CQC Regulation 11 requires valid consent and says staff must follow the practice's consent policy; no national course is specified. Source
  • Complaints Handling, Level 1 (free, 0.5 CPD hours): CQC says all staff must know how to respond to a complaint; partners who act as the practice's complaints lead need the right knowledge and skill (Regulation 16). Source
  • Domestic Abuse Awareness, Level 1 (free, 0.75 CPD hours): NICE PH50 recommends GPs, nurses and other clinicians are trained to ask about abuse and respond safely, and RCGP safeguarding standards include domestic abuse at every level. Source
  • Female Genital Mutilation Awareness, Level 1 (free, 0.75 CPD hours): As a regulated professional you have a legal duty to report known FGM in a girl under 18 to the police; no specific course is mandated. Source
  • Freedom to Speak Up, Level 1 (free, 0.75 CPD hours): 'Speak Up' is the core module for all workers; the National Guardian's Office asks senior leaders such as partners to complete all three modules. Source
  • Preventing Sexual Harassment at Work, Level 1 (free, 0.75 CPD hours): Employers must take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment (Equality Act 2010 s40A, since 26 October 2024), and EHRC guidance says all staff should be trained. Source

If it fits your duties

  • Resuscitation Newborn, Level 2 (free, 0.75 CPD hours): Resuscitation Council UK asks for newborn resuscitation training for clinical staff only 'where appropriate', which is rare in a GP surgery. Source
  • Moving and Handling, Level 2 (free, 0.75 CPD hours): Level 2 is only for staff whose role involves moving or handling patients (NHS Core Skills Training Framework). Source
  • Display Screen Equipment, Level 1 (free, 0.75 CPD hours): Applies if you use a screen daily for continuous spells of an hour or more (DSE Regulations 1992, reg 6). Source
  • Hazardous Substances (COSHH), Level 1 (free, 0.75 CPD hours): COSHH reg 12: staff exposed to hazardous substances (for example disinfectants, specimens, liquid nitrogen) must be given information, instruction and training. Source
  • Lone Working, Level 1 (free, 0.75 CPD hours): HSE says employers should provide training, supervision and monitoring for staff who work alone, for example on home visits or opening and closing the building. Source

Also needed, from other providers

  • Preventing Radicalisation: Awareness of Prevent (Level 3), the e-LfH/ESR course named by the framework: DHSC's framework puts staff who could help assess, plan, intervene in or evaluate the needs of an adult or child with safeguarding concerns at Level 3; annual updates and a refresher every 3 years. Source
  • Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training, Tier 2 (90-minute e-learning plus a one-day face-to-face session co-delivered by people with a learning disability and autistic people): A legal requirement since 2022, with a statutory code since 6 September 2025: GPs, practice nurses, phlebotomists and other clinical staff in primary care are likely to need Tier 2; refresh at least every 3 years. Source
  • Hands-on CPR and AED practice with an assessment (face to face): Resuscitation Council UK recommends assessed hands-on training for clinical staff and CQC expects every clinician to be able to use an AED; an e-learning course alone cannot show the practical skill. Source
  • Yearly Level 3 safeguarding learning and reflection (case reviews, practice safeguarding meetings, reflective templates): RCGP Level 3 standards require yearly reflective learning across child and adult safeguarding, on top of any e-learning module. Source

Other roles

All mandatory training courses

We use cookies to enhance your browsing experience, provide personalised content, and analyse our traffic. By clicking "Accept All", you consent to our use of cookies. Privacy policy