It’s that time again – time to turn those CPD new year resolutions from vague ideas into real plans and make a commitment to stick with them!
With the new year settling in and workloads picking up pace, this is the perfect moment to pause and set some clear CPD intentions for the months ahead. In primary care, where responsibilities can stretch across clinical governance, HR, finance, estates, patient experience and everything in between, having a CPD plan you can commit to makes a real difference. It’s not always about full day workshops or online courses. CPD can be as little as a few minutes a day that build up knowledge over time.
If you’re still mulling over what your CPD focus should look like this year, here are some ideas to help shape a plan that feels structured, purposeful and completely doable.
Get Ahead of the Technology
Keep an eye on NHS updates, digital health news and sector discussion groups to spot the emerging tools and systems gaining traction. This could be an upcoming software, digital triage development or workflow automation – spending a little time exploring what’s coming next can help you stay one step ahead in your practice.
Refresh an Old Skill
Think back over the training you’ve completed in previous roles or earlier stages of your career. There’s usually something valuable tucked away that you haven’t touched for a long time. Pick one skill and give it a quick refresh; you may be surprised by how useful it feels in today’s context.
Commit to 15 Minutes of Micro-Learning a Day
Fifteen minutes is enough for a quick NHSE guidance update, a short training module, a podcast snippet, or a chapter of a professional development book. These small, consistent bursts keep you moving forward without feeling overwhelming. Consistency beats intensity and by the end of the month, you’ll be surprised by how much ground you’ve covered.
Revisit Sector Policy Changes
Set a monthly reminder to sit down with the latest NHS guidance, contract updates, funding changes and regulatory requirements. Focus on what directly affects your practice: workforce planning, CQC, estates, digital transformation or patient access. Keeping this habit going helps you stay informed and reduces the risk of being caught off guard by sector shifts.
Train Yourself to Train Others
Choose something you know well and turn it into a short, practical session for your team. It doesn’t need to be formal: a how-to guide, a 20-minute walkthrough or a simple FAQ can make life easier for colleagues. CPD isn’t just a solo activity; when you teach others, you reinforce your own knowledge, spark new ideas and strengthen the team around you.
Don’t let learning get pushed to the back of your to-do-list – remember, an investment in you is an investment in your practice. Learning doesn’t work if it feels rushed or insurmountable, so make it work for you and with the right approach, CPD can become something you look forward to, not something you squeeze in.
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