EM Curriculum

Transition 

Acute Care Common Stem (ACCS)   

All doctors currently in ACCS training will transition to the updated curriculum in August 2025. 

 Intermediate and Higher   

Most doctors currently in Intermediate and Higher training will transition to the updated curriculum in August 2025.  

The only group not expected to move to the updated curriculum is those who, at the implementation date of August 2025 have less than or equal to six months (whole time equivalent) training time remaining before they achieve their Certificate of Completion of Training.  

Consideration will also be given to doctors in training who are out of programme or who are on leave at the point of implementation and to retrospective recognition of experience. 

Full transition guidance will be published following approval from the GMC and changes to assessment requirements will not be applied retrospectively. 

ACCS

LO5 & LO7 – Sedation 

• Assessment of sedation will be moved from ACCS LO7 (Anaesthetic Care) to ACCS LO5 (ACCS Procedural Skills) in order to increase opportunities and be of greater relevance to EM trainees. 

• In keeping with the other practical skills, sedation will be able to be assessed in any or all of the four ACCS placements with final entrustment level awarded at the end of the two years of ACCS
  

Intermediate and Higher

SLO5 – Adolescent Care Inclusion 

• Adolescents and their specific issues were missing from the curriculum, which is now being corrected without altering the clinical syllabus. 

SLO5 – Paediatric Resuscitation Consistency 

• The current Key Capabilities for SLO5 lack detail on resuscitation/severe illness content found in SLO3 (Adult Resuscitation). 

• The update will ensure consistency by adding the same relevant Key Capabilities and associated Descriptors. 

SLO6 – Clarification of Adult Sedation Requirements 

• Adult sedation, already required at Intermediate and Higher levels in SLO6, was omitted from the progression standards table. The change will formally include it, reinforcing existing practice without altering expectations. 

SLO6 – Supporting Assessment of Practical Skills 

• Doctors in training find it challenging to evidence competency in some SLO6 procedures due to limited assessment options and opportunities. 

• The update expands assessment flexibility by increasing options while maintaining training standards. 

• Updated guidance will be linked directly to the SLO6 section on the RCEM curriculum website to make it more accessible than at present. 

 SLO11 – Revised Quality Improvement Assessment Tool (QIAT) 

• The existing QIAT is outdated, tied to the now-obsolete FRCEM QIP assessment. 

• The revised QIAT form is broader in scope, aligns with recent AOMRC guidance and facilitates capturing a wider range of QI activities. 

SLO12 – Refining Leadership & Management Terminology 

• SLO12 title changed from “Manage, administer and lead” to “Lead and manage” to emphasise leadership over administration. 

SLO12 – Strengthening Leadership Focus in Training 

• The current Key Capabilities for SLO12 focus on management tasks, lacking elements relating to leadership, values, behaviour and culture. 

• The update adds two new Key Capabilities with associated Descriptors, addressing GMC survey and PIPP study findings on its importance in EM training. 

 SLO12 – Management activities 

• The options for evidencing particular management activities are being broadened to become less prescriptive about exactly which type of activity and at what stage in training. 

SLO12 – Leadership Assessment Tool (LAT) 

• NHS Leadership Academy recommends self-reflection and PDP-setting as a foundation for leadership skills. 

• Relevant EM Leaders framework elements are now explicitly listed on the updated QIAT form rather than just linked. 

Generic SLOs – Guidance 

• Updated guidance is being produced to support the learning and assessment of the four generic SLOs. 

• This guidance will be linked directly to the relevant SLO on the RCEM curriculum website to make it more accessible than at present. 

Generic SLOs – Entrustment Rating Requirements 

• The requirements to meet “satisfactory/good” and “excellent” are being clarified for all stages of EM training. 

If you have any questions or would like to discuss this with a member of the College’s Training Team please email – training@rcem.ac.uk