Portfolio Pathway (formerly CESR) Geriatric Medicine
The Portfolio Pathway, formerly known as CESR (Certificate of Eligibility for Specialist Registration), offers an alternative route for doctors who have not followed a traditional UK training programme but possess equivalent knowledge, skills, and experience in Geriatric Medicine. This pathway allows them to achieve GMC specialist registration and work as consultants in the UK.
If you're an international medical graduate or a UK-trained doctor with non-standard training, navigating this pathway can be complex—but with the right guidance and support, it’s absolutely achievable.
What Is the Portfolio Pathway?
The Portfolio Pathway assesses whether a doctor’s experience is equivalent to a UK CCT (Certificate of Completion of Training). This route is ideal for:
-
International doctors with relevant experience
-
UK doctors with alternative training pathways
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Locally employed doctors not in formal training
In 2023, the GMC rebranded CESR to the Portfolio Pathway to emphasise the importance of evidence gathering and structured portfolios.
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Geriatric Medicine: A Brief Overview
Geriatric Medicine is the branch of medicine concerned with the care of older people. It requires broad knowledge in acute medicine, chronic disease management, rehabilitation, mental health, and social care coordination.
Key competencies include:
|
Competency Area |
Examples of Required Skills |
|
Acute Care of Older Adults |
Managing delirium, falls, and polypharmacy |
|
Chronic Disease Management |
Dementia, Parkinson’s disease, frailty syndromes |
|
Multidisciplinary Working |
Liaison with social workers, therapists, community teams |
|
Ethical and Legal Issues |
Capacity assessment, DoLS, advance care planning |
|
Leadership and Teaching |
Leading MDTs, teaching juniors, service development |
Requirements for the Geriatric Medicine Portfolio Pathway
Applicants must provide evidence across all areas of the Geriatric Medicine 2022 Curriculum, demonstrating equivalency with a UK-trained consultant.
Core Requirements
|
Requirement |
Description |
|
Primary Medical Qualification |
Recognised by the GMC |
|
GMC Registration |
Full registration with a licence to practise |
|
Evidence of Equivalence |
Extensive portfolio mapped to the 2022 Geriatric Medicine Curriculum |
|
Supporting Information |
Logbooks, audits, CPD certificates, assessments, supervisor reports |
|
MRCP (UK) |
Highly recommended, although not mandatory |
|
English Language Proficiency |
IELTS/OET if applicable |
What Evidence Do You Need?
Your portfolio should demonstrate breadth and depth of experience equivalent to UK specialty training. Evidence categories include:
|
Evidence Category |
Examples |
|
Clinical Experience |
Case summaries, logbooks, inpatient/outpatient statistics |
|
Assessments |
Mini-CEX, DOPS, CBDs, MSFs |
|
Audit and QI |
Completed audits, reflections, action plans |
|
Teaching and Leadership |
Presentations, feedback, course design, leadership roles |
|
Research and Publications |
Papers, posters, research involvement |
|
CPD |
Conferences, workshops, online learning certificates |
Each piece of evidence must be dated, verified, and mapped to specific curriculum domains.
Application Process
Here’s a simplified overview of the application process:
|
Step |
Description |
|
1. Self-assessment |
Match your experience against the Geriatric Medicine curriculum |
|
2. Evidence Collection |
Organise documents mapped to each curriculum domain |
|
3. Application to GMC |
Submit online through GMC’s portfolio pathway portal |
|
4. GMC Review |
GMC reviews your evidence and seeks advice from Royal College assessors |
|
5. Outcome Notification |
You may receive a positive decision or be asked for additional evidence |
Tip: The process can take 6–12 months depending on your preparation and submission quality.
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Common Challenges
|
Challenge |
Solution |
|
Volume of Evidence |
Focus on quality over quantity; avoid duplication |
|
Curriculum Mapping |
Use a structured spreadsheet to track evidence coverage |
|
Lack of UK Experience |
Gain NHS experience in a non-training post if needed |
|
Weak Documentation |
Ensure evidence is signed, dated, and clearly linked to the curriculum |
How We Can Help
At cesrportfolio.co.uk, we specialise in supporting doctors through the Geriatric Medicine Portfolio Pathway. Our expert team can assist with:
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Curriculum Mapping Support
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Portfolio Organisation & Review
-
Evidence Gap Analysis
-
Mock Assessments
-
Ongoing Mentorship
Whether you’re just starting or nearing submission, we offer tailored services to boost your chances of success.
Top Tips for Success
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Start Early – Evidence takes time to gather and validate.
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Stay Organised – Use digital folders, spreadsheets, and templates.
-
Reflect Often – Add reflections to audits, CPD, and teaching.
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Seek Feedback – From supervisors, peers, and mentors.
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Get Expert Help – Don't do it alone; partner with specialists like us.
Final Thoughts
The Portfolio Pathway for Geriatric Medicine is a rigorous but rewarding route to becoming a consultant in the UK. With a structured approach, detailed evidence, and professional support, you can achieve specialist registration and make a significant impact in the care of older adults.
Ready to get started or need help assessing your portfolio?
Visit cesrportfolio.co.uk to speak to our expert advisors and take the next step on your journey to consultancy.
Disclaimer
This blog post provides general information about the CESR pathway . It is not a substitute for the official GMC guidance. Always refer to the GMC website for the most up-to-date information and requirements.
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