For up to date information on the changes or to book a slot on one of the regular Curriculum Change Webinar Sessions go to: ISCP website

From August 2021, surgical training will become outcomes-based. Trainees will be assessed against the fundamental capabilities required of consultants. The end of training will be reached when supervisors agree that a trainee is performing at the level of a day-one consultant, successfully managing the unselected emergency take, clinics and ward care, operating lists and multi-disciplinary working while demonstrating the generic professional behaviours required of all doctors.

At the heart of these changes is the principle that the knowledge and skills essential for everyday practice should be reflected authentically in the assessment system. The existing curriculum had attracted criticism for relying too heavily on competency-based training with not enough emphasis placed on the holistic professional judgement of clinical supervisors. Because of this, we are introducing a new assessment called the Multiple Consultant Report (MCR) encompassing the new concepts of the Generic Professional Capabilities (GPCs) and Capabilities in Practice (CiPs).

This curriculum change was the result of new standards for curricula  followed a lengthy consultation process with input from trainees and trainers and contributions from a wide range of stakeholders. We are very grateful to everyone who has worked with us to make these improvements.

Training will be truly capability based and, although there will be indicative times in which the great majority of trainees will be expected to complete training, trainees will be able to progress faster through training if they demonstrate the necessary capability.

Whatever your role, trainee or trainer, the curriculum changes will affect you.

You can familiarise yourself with the MCR by downloading the step guide and using the trial MCR. You must be logged into your ISCP account to use it and any data generated through this trial process will not be saved on the ISCP system or impact trainee portfolios. Trainees may also find the general guidance on self-assessment useful before trying out the self-assessment.

ISCP have setup a dedicated web page with regular updates on the changes and the planned roll out of the changes. You can find this important information through the following link: ISCP website