The approved learning environment process, also known as the clinical learning environment (CLE) approval of a general practice, community trust, primary care network, urgent and unscheduled care provider, or other community organisation is done through completion of the KSS primary care department clinical learning environment approval process.
The approval process allows multiple sites to be approved as a learning environment (for example, across one primary care network), providing the opportunity for approval for all learner types in a single process.
For a GP specialty trainee placement to count for training, the training location needs to be listed on the General Medical Council (GMC) website as approved for resident doctors in GP training.
Approval of a clinic or department in an NHS trust requires prior GMC approval of the site for the medical training programme. If the site is not listed on the GMC database, a non-primary care site approval should be initiated by the quality team.
Approved primary care learning environment application process for Kent, Surrey and Sussex
Step 1: initiation
The Training Hub initiates the clinical learning environment approval process. Scenarios requiring clinical learning environment approval include:
- Training Hub identifies a new learning environment in their locality
- higher education institution identifies a new placement provider
- new training site provides GP training for more than two sessions per week
- application from a GP clinical or educational supervisor in a site not already approved for GP registrars
- requirement of triggered quality assessments
Step 2: form submission
The Training Hub sends a link to download the clinical learning environment approval form. The educational lead of the clinical learning environment completes the form, with Training Hub support available for questions.
All sites in the learning environment must be involved in the application, covering all learner types across all sites.
Step 3: approval meeting
Once submission is complete, the Training Hub books an approval meeting (virtual or in person) with representatives from the applicant organisation. During the meeting:
- evidence is reviewed and submission discussed
- the meeting is both formative and supportive
- any gaps or concerns are explored
- recommendations or mandatory requirements are documented
Step 4: panel decision
Following the meeting, the lead approver completes the approval sections on the form. If approval has not been given for all sites or all learners, this is clearly documented.
Where not all GP practices within a primary care network (PCN) can be approved, groups of practices may be approved with PCN involvement.
Step 5: quality team review
The completed form is sent to the primary care quality team, who save it securely to the primary care systems SharePoint site and make it available for ratification.
Step 6: ratification
The primary care quality team sends the completed form to the head of primary care school for ratification.
Step 7: communication
The primary care quality team writes to the applicant organisation and Training Hub to inform them of the outcome, noting any mandatory requirements. The Training Hub communicates the approval to relevant higher education institutions.
Contact us
For queries about clinical learning environment approval in Kent, Surrey, and Sussex:
Primary care quality team email: england.ksspc.educationquality@nhs.net.