In a bid to acknowledge and enhance the crucial role played by healthcare professionals in delivering Urgent Medical Care, the Faculty of Pre-Hospital Care (FPHC) is running its 2024 Diploma in Urgent Medical Care (DipUMC) this September. The diploma is tailored for doctors, nurses, and paramedics actively involved in urgent medical care across diverse healthcare settings.
The examination, designed to set a national standard, focuses on timely recognition, diagnosis, and management of various conditions in urgent care environments, such as urgent treatment centres, primary care locations, community settings, and emergency departments. Additionally the exam covers topics practitioners require to work at an advanced level such as working in systems, operational practice, human factors, technology, dispositions and risk management.
Professor Colville Laird, MBE, Pre Hospital and Urgent Care Clinician and Associate Examinations Convenor of FPHC highlights:
“Evidence shows that Urgent Care provision can decrease the demand on Emergency Departments. To help achieve this in the UK we need more clinicians to view Urgent Care as a career choice. This exam aims to encourage this by giving a multi-professional group of clinicians the opportunity to obtain evidence of professional development in Urgent Care.”
The closing date for applications for the upcoming exam is set for 6 May 2024, with the September exam location being Edinburgh. The examination process spans two days, with day one featuring a written paper and day two consisting of a structured oral exam.
Candidates are expected to perform at a level commensurate with level 7 within the Skills for Health Career Framework for Health. Level 7 practitioners demonstrate a comprehensive, specialized knowledge in day-to-day urgent emergency care clinical practice and an understanding of the boundaries of that knowledge.
Past candidates have provided feedback detailing that “The diploma promotes leadership which is excellent. I believe that there will be some clinicians who sit this exam who are inspired to implement change and take on senior clinical and managerial roles as a result of sitting this exam. This is something that is desperately needed in urgent care.”
The exam emphasises the importance of timely recognition, diagnosis, and management in urgent care environments, with a specific focus on GP out-of-hours services and walk-in centres. It encompasses urgent care for patients of all age groups, from neonates to the elderly.
Candidates are required to engage in self-study for the exam, supported by an extensive syllabus and study guide. Additional preparation courses, both online and face-to-face, are available to further aid candidates in their preparation.
Upon successful completion of the exam, clinicians are able to evidence their professional development in the field of Urgent Care. Members and Fellows in good standing with the Faculty of Pre-Hospital Care (FPHC) are eligible to use post-nominals upon passing the exam.
Furthermore, successful candidates can apply for 120 credits of prior learning towards a Master of Science (MSc) in Urgent Care, a program delivered by the University of Central Lancashire, providing a seamless pathway for ongoing professional development in this critical healthcare field.