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 2023, the CPD requirement will commence from 1 June 2024).
CPD hours required for 2024 – 2025
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 2024/2025 for Medical Experts will be 6 hours.
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 2023/2024 CPD requirement, the period allowed to catch up the shortfall is 6 months.
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 be launched soon.
You are able to choose between the modules until you have fulfilled the 6-hour CPD requirement. You are also able to repeat any courses that you completed in the last CPD period if you choose.
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.
It may be necessary on occasion for MedCo to introduce 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 may cover issues such as changes in legislation or key issues affecting medico legal reporting. These will be kept to a minimum. There are not any compulsory module requirements at the moment but may be introduced later in the academic year.
To access the training material, log on to your MedCo account at https://app.medco.org.uk 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 completed 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.
Information and FAQs can be found on the MedCo website here:
For support and information contact: enquiries@medco.org.uk
