Mandatory Training for Medical secretaries

Needed for the role

Safeguarding Adults, Level 1 (free, 1 CPD hour): RCGP safeguarding standards (2024) put secretarial staff at Level 1. Source
Safeguarding Children, Level 1 (free, 1 CPD hour): RCGP puts secretarial staff at Level 1 for children as well as adults. Source
Resuscitation, Level 1 (free, 1 CPD hour): Resuscitation Council UK says all primary care staff, including non-clinical staff, should train in adult and child resuscitation to at least recognise arrest, call for help and start chest compressions. Source
Infection Prevention and Control, Level 1 (free, 0.75 CPD hours): The IPC code of practice says all staff, including support and contracted staff, need IPC training relevant to their role, and CQC lists infection control training among expected evidence. Source
Preventing Radicalisation, Basic Prevent Awareness, Level 1 (free, 0.75 CPD hours): DHSC's Prevent framework says every member of staff in a healthcare setting should complete basic awareness (its Levels 1-2); it is national guidance, since GP practices are not Prevent-duty bodies. 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
Display Screen Equipment, Level 1 (free, 0.75 CPD hours): DSE Regulations 1992 (reg 6): employers must train staff who use screens daily for continuous spells of an hour or more. Source

Mental Capacity Act, Level 1 (free, 0.75 CPD hours): RCGP Level 1 standards expect awareness of mental capacity law; the BMA limits formal MCA training to clinical staff. Source
Sepsis Awareness, Level 1 (free, 0.75 CPD hours): CQC asks whether all staff, including receptionists, know how to recognise what does not sound right and raise concerns. 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
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
Complaints Handling, Level 1 (free, 0.5 CPD hours): CQC's Regulation 16 guidance says all staff must know how to respond when they receive a complaint. Source
Domestic Abuse Awareness, Level 1 (free, 0.75 CPD hours): NICE PH50 recommends GP practices train administrative staff and receptionists to respond to a disclosure safely and signpost to specialist help. Source
Freedom to Speak Up, Level 1 (free, 0.75 CPD hours): The National Guardian's Office 'Speak Up' core module is for all workers, and CQC expects practices to have speaking-up arrangements staff know about. 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

Safeguarding Adults, Level 2 (free, 0.75 CPD hours): RCGP puts safeguarding administrators and leads of secretarial teams at Level 2. Source
Safeguarding Children, Level 2 (free, 1 CPD hour): RCGP puts safeguarding administrators and leads of secretarial teams at Level 2. Source
Conflict Resolution, Level 1 (free, 0.75 CPD hours): The NHS Core Skills Training Framework sets it only for staff whose work brings them into direct contact with the public. Source

Also needed, from other providers

Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training: Tier 1 (e-learning plus a one-hour live online session) if you have no direct patient contact, Tier 2 if you do: The code says primary care staff not involved in direct patient contact or decisions that affect patients may only need Tier 1; refresh at least every 3 years. Source

Mandatory training for medical secretaries

Needed for the role

Recommended

If it fits your duties

Also needed, from other providers

Other roles