NHS England commissioned the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) to develop a training programme to meet the medical needs of adults with a learning disability. Learners completing the programme will be able to champion good care and provide clinical leadership in their workplace, enabling practitioners to work in a learning disability physician/practitioner role.
The Medical Practice in Adult Learning Disability postgraduate certificate (PGCert) is developed and delivered by the RCP and Edge Hill University. The PGCert consists of two modules of 30 credits each and takes 15 months to complete. The first module is clinically focussed and assessed in the workplace. The second module is academic and assessed by writing up a service development or audit.
Applications are now open for the next intake starting in February 2026.
Apply nowThe programme has been designed for doctors, nurses and allied health professionals working at a senior level and caring for people with a learning disability within their role. Doctors working at a ‘senior level’ include:
• Consultants or senior resident doctors (ST5+ or equivalent) in any relevant specialty
• General practitioners (GPs)
• GP resident doctors (ST3 or equivalent)
• SAS doctors.
The PGCert Medical Practice in Adult Learning Disability programme will be delivered using a combination of online and in-person teaching methods. Participation requires attendance at teaching sessions, extensive reading, clinical experience with assessment and regular input to a learning electronic portfolio.
Applicants must identify a clinical advisor (supervisor) to support them on the first module. Their role will be to guide the learner to find local learning experiences and enable achievement of the learning outcomes. The clinical advisor will need to meet with the learner at least three times during the first six month module and will be responsible for writing a final report outlining the learner’s overall progress and confirming whether the learner has completed the requirements of the first module.
The first module is clinically focussed and assessed via the submission of a portfolio of evidence including a minimum of three mini-CEX, three case-based discussions (CBD), reflections, multisource feedback and patient/carer feedback. Learners will also be required to submit four critical reflections of personal professional development episodes linked to key patient-doctor interactions, including one reflection based upon patient and carer feedback.
The second module is academic and assessed by writing up a service development or audit.
Watch this video to hear Dr Fionnuala Adele, Acute and General Internal Medicine ST6 talking about her experience on the course to Dr Charly Annesley, programme lead:
Applications are now open for the next intake starting in February 2026. You can apply on the Edge Hill University website.
If you have any questions please contact credential@rcp.ac.uk.
