27/05/2025
The Royal College of Emergency Medicine is in the process of updating its training curriculum.
The College is working with the General Medical Council on 16 proposed updates to the 2021 Curriculum, which if accepted, will come in to effect in Wednesday 6 August 2025.
The changes were requested in response to feedback from, and in consultation with, key stakeholders including resident doctors in training and their supervisors and are fully supported by the College’s Trainee Association – EMTA.
The proposed changes consist of corrections, updates and re-arrangements, plus some broadening of options within the Programmes of Learning and Assessment and changes in emphasis on certain elements.
The underlying clinical syllabus and overall curriculum structure remain, unaltered as does the structure of training in Emergency Medicine.
A summary of the changes is here: 2021 Curriculum (2025 update)
It is anticipated that the majority of trainees will transition to the updated curriculum and full guidance will be published following approval from the GMC.
The only group of trainees not expected to move the new curriculum are trainees 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 CCT.
Considerations will also be given to trainees who are out of programme or on leave at the point of implementation, and to retrospective recognition of experience.
Over the coming weeks all those working to the current curriculum, their trainers, as well as all other relevant associated partners will receive further information about the changes.
Commenting on the changes RCEM Dean, Simon Carley, said: “We keep our curriculum content under constant review, and it is vital that we are able to update and improve it to ensure we maintain the highest standards in Emergency Medicine training and reflect best practice and clinical quality.
“These are important changes many of which have been led by the valuable feedback we receive from our resident doctors, and we are working closely with the GMC to facilitate implementation.
“We want to reassure all our trainees that they will be provided with all the information about any changes in good time, as will their trainers and assessors.
“The College’s training team will also be available to answer any questions or address any concerns as we transition to the new curriculum.”
Over the coming months the College will be:
Further information about these will be sent shortly.
Once approved by the GMC the full list of updates will be available on the RCEM website.
Anyone with questions, or would like to discuss this with a member of the College’s Training Team, can email – training@rcem.ac.uk
