An approved learning environment, also known as a clinical learning environment, is the physical, contextual and cultural setting where learners gain healthcare knowledge and skills, and where supervisors and learners interact.
Key definitions:
- placement provider: the organisation where learners undertake clinical placements to deliver the practical, clinical element of an education and training programme
- clinical placement: any supervised clinical learning experience within a workplace environment, provided, conducted or arranged by the placement provider for learners
As a learning environment, you have the opportunity to guide and shape our future primary care workforce.
Becoming an approved learning environment allows you to attract and retain high-quality staff. Integrating training can drive excellence across your multidisciplinary teams so they are equipped to meet the evolving needs of your community.
As a learning environment, you have the opportunity to lead the way in primary care training. Increasing your training capacity allows you to strengthen your legacy, continuously enhance patient care and foster a culture of continuous learning, so your multidisciplinary teams are equipped to meet the evolving needs of your community.
You are needed now more than ever to shape the future of primary care.
“The process is well supported from beginning to end. It has provided a new look to our surgery.”
The benefits for your practice
By expanding training capacity, you’re not only supporting learners but actively participating in the transformation that will improve patient care and deliver that care closer to where people live.
Becoming an approved learning environment, also known as a clinical learning environment, brings tangible benefits to your practice, including:
- contacts and networking with other doctors and practices training
- helping to further develop a learning environment at the practice
- increasing diversity of activity in the practice including educational and quality improvement activities
- increasing in the number of appointments available for patients
- strengthening the care you provide to your local community
- creating opportunities for recruitment of former GP registrars
Your commitment to training leaves a legacy, with improved patient care, increased capacity to meet community needs, and a culture of continuous learning that benefits both your current team and future generations of primary care professionals.
Hear from primary care educators working in approved learning environments
Interested in becoming an approved learning environment but want to know more about how it works in practice? Read our case studies to discover the benefits for you, your service and patients.
Further information
Find out more about the requirements for becoming an approved learning environment, and how to become a GP educator in Kent, Surrey, and Sussex below:
- roles and responsibilities of an approved learning environment
- application process for becoming an approved learning environment
- requirements for becoming an approved learning environment
- become a GP educator
Contact us
If you have any questions on becoming an approved learning environment, please contact primarycare.kssquality@hee.nhs.uk or your local Training Hub.