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Home » Lifelong Learning & PCS » Professional Competence Scheme » Resources and Supports » Professional Development Plan

Professional Development Plan

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Introduction

The Professional Development Plan (PDP) is part of the new Maintenance of Professional Competence Framework introduced by the Medical Council in May 2025. The requirements of the PDP and its stages have been outlined by the Medical Council. To help GPs meet this requirement easily, the College has developed an interactive template which covers all of the required steps and can be found in the ePortfolio. We advise completing the PDP by October 31 or as soon as possible after enrolment to gain maximum benefit.

  • Log into the ePortfolio
  • Click the dial labelled PDP on the dashboard
  • Complete the four steps – each step can be saved separately
  • Mark the PDP as complete when all four steps are finished
  • Five credits are added automatically to the ePortfolio

FAQs

  • The PDP is a plan for the coming PCS year focused on your learning needs and intentions only. It will prompt you to identify the areas you want to focus on in your CPD and specific activities to meet the new requirements. PDPs should be written in a measured and professional style, framing goals in terms of broad themes (e.g., "enhancing communication skills," "updating knowledge in X area," "developing leadership capacity").

  • The plan is just an intention – it's fine if your completed CPD doesn’t match what’s in your plan. It is understood that the CPD you record throughout the year will likely vary from the initial plan.

  • Yes, this is a requirement for all doctors. The plan relates to your intentions for CPD only and it does not matter what your working status is.

  • To gain maximum benefit we strongly advise completing your PDP before the end of October to plan your learning for the year. It must be complete by the end of the PCS year in order to be compliant with requirements.

  • No, each individual step can be completed separately. Once you have completed the 4 steps, you can tick complete to add the 5 credits to your ePortfolio.

  • The peer review can be completed with a fellow GP or colleague, a peer from your CME group, fellow clinician, mentor, or colleague with similar level of experience.

  • The reflection should be about your education or learning experiences, and you can focus on broad themes rather than specifics. You can complete this section now by thinking about the previous PCS year or 12 months – you do not need to save it for April.

  • No, do not include any clinical or case information, or any patient details. The plan is on your learning only, and your entries should be high-level and constructive, focusing on your future learning and development goals.

  • This requirement is part of the new Maintenance of Professional Competence Framework introduced by the Medical Council in May 2025. The requirements of the PDP and its stages have been outlined by the Medical Council. All doctors registered with the Medical Council, not just GPs, have this requirement for PCS.