Portfolio pathway programme recognition

In response to various factors affecting the landscape of the anaesthetic workforce, some trusts are offering portfolio pathway (CESR) programmes to provide support and guidance for applicants applying for specialist registration through the portfolio pathway route. The College has recently launched a recognition process for these portfolio pathway programmes in order provide guidance and advice to help ensure they are of a high standard and offer the appropriate educational support for doctors going through the programme. 

Benefits of programme recognition

The College welcomes applications for Portfolio Pathway (formally known as CESR) programme recognition. There is no charge and the benefits of recognition by the College include the following:

• access to ongoing advice and support from the College, following an initial review of the programme
• annual programme leads information and networking meetings
• recognised portfolio pathway programmes are featured on this page on the College website and added to the list of formally recognised programmes
• use of the RCoA’s accreditation logo for promotional material
• the process of portfolio pathway programme recognition is underpinned by regular quality assurance
• invitation join the RCoA Portfolio Assessment Group (PAG) as an assessor.

Aims

The recognition process is based on the following aims: 

• to ensure that programmes will be of a high standard through meeting minimum quality requirements
• to encourage appropriate educational support for doctors on the programme
• to maintain a published list of recognised programmes to aid potential applicants and programme providers
• to provide a transparent process open to scrutiny
• to provide a thorough but also administratively simple and flexible process.

Applying for programme recognition

If you have a portfolio pathway programme in your trust and would like to apply to have your programme recognised by the RCoA, please complete this form. 

If you have any questions regarding programme recognition, or about establishing a successful portfolio pathway programme and quality assurance, please email the portfolio pathway team: portfolio@rcoa.ac.uk