Best Free CPD Tools for UK Clinicians (2026)

The problem with CPD in the NHS isn’t a lack of content; it’s friction. There are thousands of hours of free lectures online, but finding high-quality material, logging it into your portfolio, and actually remembering it for your next patient is a logistical nightmare.

If you are a busy clinician, you don’t need more content. You need a workflow.

This post provides a reliable, friction-free "stack" of free tools for 2026 that covers the three essential stages of learning: microlearning, evidence search, and retention.

The 2026 CPD stack (10 minutes/day)

Microlearning: 5 minutes of rapid updates (for daily cadence).

Evidence search: 3 minutes of answering real clinical questions (for relevance).

Exam reinforcement: 2 minutes of testing to make it stick (for retention).

What “good CPD” looks like in practice (not theory)

We often treat CPD as a tick-box exercise for annual appraisal. However, "good CPD" is simply learning that is relevant to your actual caseload, verifiable for your appraiser, and produces a genuine change in your behaviour.

To make this efficient, you want retrievable outputs from every session: a saved answer, a reflection entry, and a spaced-repetition prompt.

The CPD output checklist:

Did I solve a specific clinical problem?
Is there a digital footprint (log/certificate)?
Have I set a trigger to review this knowledge again?

Microlearning (free / low-friction) tools

These are the tools you open when you have a cancelled patient or a 10-minute commute.

Praktiki (microlearning + CPD logging workflow)

Why it’s here: Praktiki has rapidly become a staple for GPs because it respects your time. It positions itself as "CPD in 5 minutes a day," delivering bite-sized clinical updates that automatically track your time and sync directly with FourteenFish.

How to use it for real CPD: Treat it as your "daily minimum effective dose" of learning. Instead of doom-scrolling social media, complete one module.

The Workflow: Complete a 5-minute module → Write a one-liner on "what changed in my practice?" → Sync to portfolio.

Internal link: If you want the reflection, report generation, and learning log in one place, you can also use iatroX CPD, which offers AI-assisted reflection prompts and exportable PDF reports.

NHS e-Learning for Healthcare (eLfH) hub

Why it’s here: The eLfH Hub remains the giant of NHS education. It states its programmes can be accessed for free by health and care professionals, and support documentation confirms that anyone with an NHS email address can register and access the hub for free.

How to use it without drowning: The catalogue is overwhelming, so be ruthless. Pick one programme aligned to your current role (e.g., Safeguarding Level 3, Medicines Safety, or Long-term Conditions).

The Rule: Use a "one module → one reflection" rule. Never do a module without logging a specific learning point.

Internal link: After completing a module, use the iatroX CPD tool to instantly log your reflection and generate a clean PDF report for your appraisal.

NHS Learning Hub (the “directory layer”)

Why it’s here: The NHS Learning Hub describes itself as providing access to a wide range of educational resources from professional organisations. It acts as a modern "directory layer" for content that doesn't fit the rigid eLfH structure.

How to use it efficiently: Use it as a curation tool. Browse for content on specific new pathways (e.g., "Virtual Wards" or "Greener NHS"), consume the resource, and then log it elsewhere. Create three bookmarks in your browser: Clinical, Non-Clinical, and Leadership to keep your finding swift.

BMJ Learning (free account + free access for BMA members)

Why it’s here: BMJ Learning is a gold standard for structured modules. Their help centre notes that they receive income from the BMA to provide free access to BMA members. Even if you aren't a member, they advertise "Get started for free" with a basic account.

Best use: Use this for "deep work" sessions where you need a formal certificate. It is less suited to 5-minute bursts but excellent for a scheduled 30-minute study block.

Evidence search tools (free) that stop CPD being “fluffy”

Real CPD comes from answering the questions that arise during your clinic. These free search tools ensure you are learning from high-quality sources.

NHS OpenAthens (your “key” to NHS-funded resources)

Why it’s here: NHS library services explicitly describe NHS OpenAthens as providing free, secure access to a range of NHS-funded digital resources, including full-text journals and databases that would otherwise cost thousands.

How to use it in 90 seconds: Don't browse aimlessly. Login to OpenAthens → Jump into a trusted database (like BMJ Best Practice or a specific journal) → Save 1 high-yield item to your reading list.

PubMed (free biomedical search)

Why it’s here: PubMed describes itself as a free resource for searching biomedical literature. It is the global engine for primary research.

Clinician workflow (fast): Avoid the noise by using "Clinical Queries."

Enter your topic.
Filter for "Systematic Reviews" or "Clinical Guidelines."
Save the abstract and link the full text (if available via OpenAthens) to your learning log.

TRIP Database (clinical search engine)

Why it’s here: TRIP describes itself as a clinical search engine designed to find high-quality research evidence. It is faster than PubMed for finding guidelines.

How to use it: Use TRIP when you need to see the "evidence hierarchy" quickly. It visually separates Guidelines, Systematic Reviews, and Primary Research, allowing you to grab the highest-level evidence in seconds.

Cochrane Library (free access in the UK)

Why it’s here: The Cochrane Library is free for UK users (funded by the NIHR). It is the gold standard for unbiased systematic reviews.

Use case: Use this when you need the definitive answer on an intervention's efficacy (e.g., "Does cranberry juice actually help UTIs?"). It provides the "bottom line" synthesis that stops you guessing.

The “answer layer” (when you need a usable response quickly)

Sometimes you don't want to search a database; you just want the answer.

iatroX (Ask + Q&A Library + CPD + Quiz = closed learning loop)

iatroX consolidates the fragmented CPD process into a single, free workflow.

Ask: Ask iatroX provides clear, cited answers and checks a curated library of national guidelines—it does not fabricate answers.
Browse: The Clinical Q&A Library is a browsable database of questions answered by iatroX, referencing guidelines, SmPCs, and literature.
Retain: The Quiz engine supports standard, adaptive, and spaced repetition modes (login required) and lists UK exams like the MRCGP and UKMLA.
Log: The CPD feature supports logging, reflection prompts, and generating a PDF report for appraisal/revalidation.

Turn daily work into CPD in 2 minutes:

Ask iatroX a real clinical question (fully cited).

Browse similar precedent answers in the Q&A Library.

Log a reflection and export your report via iatroX CPD.

Reinforce the knowledge with a 10-question Quiz block.

“Pick your stack” (3 reader personas)

Different roles need different tools. Pick the stack that fits your day.

Salaried GP / GP partner

Microlearning: Praktiki or eLfH (for mandatory training).
Evidence: OpenAthens + TRIP + Cochrane (for complex patients).
Retention: iatroX quiz blocks (to keep clinical knowledge sharp).
Logging: iatroX CPD (for the annual appraisal PDF).

GP trainee

Microlearning: Daily usage of Praktiki.
Evidence search: Weekly deep-dives using PubMed/TRIP.
Heavy reinforcement: Daily use of iatroX in adaptive/spaced repetition mode to prepare for the AKT.

PA/ACP/ANP

Focus: Supervision-friendly outputs.
Workflow: Use iatroX to generate a cited answer, then use the CPD tool to write a reflection on how you applied that guideline, ready for your supervisor meeting.

FAQs

What are the best free CPD resources for NHS staff? The best free resources are NHS e-Learning for Healthcare (eLfH) for mandatory training, the NHS Learning Hub for broad educational content, and iatroX for clinical Q&A and CPD logging.

Is eLfH free to use? Yes, eLfH is free for all NHS health and social care staff. You can register with your professional email address.

Is BMJ Learning free? BMJ Learning offers a free account to get started, and full access is included for free if you are a member of the BMA.

What is NHS OpenAthens and how do I get it? NHS OpenAthens is an authentication service that gives you free access to subscription journals and databases. You can register for free if you work for or with the NHS.

How do I turn clinical questions into CPD evidence? Use a tool like iatroX to log the question you asked. Write a brief reflection on how the answer changed your management plan, and export the log as a PDF for your portfolio.

What’s the fastest way to retain what I learn? Spaced repetition is the most effective method. Use a quiz engine like iatroX that automatically resurfaces topics you are weak on, ensuring you move knowledge into long-term memory.

Ready to start?

Ask a clinical question on iatroX.
Browse the Knowledge Centre.
Test yourself with a Quiz.
Log it all in your CPD portfolio.