What is mandatory training?
Mandatory training: Training and learning that has been deemed essential for safe and efficient service delivery, often by an employer or in line with centrally produced guidelines or local policies.
Statutory training: Some mandatory training is statutory in circumstances where there is a legislative requirement for organisations to provide training in a certain area, and where staff are asked to complete this training to ensure organisations are meeting their duties laid out in law.
Appraisal and required training
GMC Good medical practice 2024 requires doctors to keep their knowledge and skills up to date by regularly taking part in activities that maintain and develop competence and performance and follow the law in all of their workplaces. Appraisers are not required to police the amount of training that has been done, as this is the responsibility of the employer and other regulators.
You must consider your CPD needs for safe practice across your whole scope of work, and your appraiser will seek to assure themselves that appropriate supporting information is presented that you are taking part in activities that maintain and develop your competence and performance.
Appraisers may be able to guide you on what the essential requirements are for your roles. However, the organisations you work with or for may have agreed training requirements for you to fulfil their legislative or contractual requirements. If you're not sure what is required of you, check with each of the organisations you work with.
The contractual or legislative variation across the UK mean GPs may have different requests for training depending on who they are contracted with. For example, in England, the CQC states: Each GP practice is responsible for determining what mandatory and additional training its staff need. They are also responsible for how this is delivered.