Ensuring the independence and quality of medical reports in personal injury claims for soft tissue and whiplash is a key part of MedCo’s role. That includes maintaining the ongoing quality and value of medical expert’s training through the medical expert’s accreditation process.
Medical experts must maintain their CPD to remain MedCo accredited and be selected to provide medical reports through the MedCo system.
Annual CPD for medical experts
After achieving the initial accreditation certificate, all experts are transferred into the MedCo Continuous Professional Development (CPD) Programme.
For new medical experts the annual CPD requirement will start at the beginning of the first CPD academic year following completion of the accreditation. (For example, if accreditation training was completed in Nov 2024, the CPD requirement will commence from 1 June 2025).
CPD hours required for 2025 – 2026
The MedCo CPD academic year runs from 01 June to 31 May each year.
The MedCo Board have confirmed that the CPD requirement for the academic year 2025/2026 for Medical Experts will be 6 hours.
Changes for 2025 -2026
This year there will be more mandatory modules, and these will have a shorter deadline and will be in addition to the annual 6-hour requirement. This will start with the introduction of an annual test module soon after the start of the new CPD year and will cover common issues and themes from quality assessments (QAs) and audits. Full details on what you need to do, and the deadline will be communicated in due course.
You are strongly advised to select a good variety of CPD modules and to avoid repeating the same content too frequently. The Education and Training Committee will be monitoring progress through CPD closely to ensure compliance and experts will be contacted to review CPD where the same content is repeatedly selected.
All Experts are responsible for maintaining their own accredited status by completing the annual CPD requirement.
Important Note: If you are suspended for failing to complete the 2024/2025 CPD requirement, the period allowed to catch up the shortfall is 6 months before your account is withdrawn.
Modules available
There are a number of modules available on a range of relevant subjects for you to select and complete and further new modules will continue to be added to the programme.
You are able to choose between the modules until you have fulfilled the 6-hour CPD requirement. You are able to repeat courses that you completed in previous CPD periods if you choose. However, please avoid continually repeating the same content.
CPD modules do not have to be completed in any particular order and all existing accreditation and CPD course material is available for you to reference at any time.
Mandatory Modules
MedCo will be introducing mandatory module(s) during the academic year which you will be required to complete even if you have already completed the required 6 hours. Mandatory Modules will include an annual test module and may cover issues such as changes in legislation or key issues affecting medico legal reporting. These will be kept to a minimum and full details will be communicated when mandatory modules are required. The first mandatory module will be introduced early in the 2025/2026 CPD year.
To access the training material, log on to your MedCo account and select the Training option that is available on your home page. You will see your training record and all the modules that are available to you. Joining instructions for each module will be self-explanatory on your training record. As you progress through your CPD your record will update, and you will be able to see how much training you have completed and how much is outstanding. All experts receive periodic reminders via email on the status of their CPD progress.
Please note that once you have met your annual requirement, any additional modules you choose to complete will not be counted as part of your CPD.
CPD hours cannot be carried over from one academic year to another. This applies even if the selections you have made take you over the required 6 hours.
CPD certificates
CPD certificates are available in your training account. To obtain a copy of your CPD certificate, log into your MedCo account and select the Training link. Once your training account opens select My CPD. You can download a copy of your certificate from the section CPD Certificate.
Information and FAQs can be found using the links below:
https://medco.org.uk/accreditation-and-cpd/
For support and information contact: [email protected]
