Executive summary
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is a cornerstone of professional practice in the UK, essential for revalidation and lifelong learning. "Good CPD," as guided by the GMC and the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges (AoMRC), is relevant to your scope of practice, evidenced, reflective, and clearly focused on its impact on your work and your patients. While the mandatory requirement for a set number of credits or hours has been relaxed by the regulator, the emphasis on the quality of learning and, most importantly, reflection, has only grown (GMC UK, AOMRC).
For busy clinicians, finding the time and budget for high-quality CPD can be a challenge. This article provides a curated map of the best free or NHS-funded CPD options available in 2025 and offers a simple, practical plan to capture your learning evidence effectively.
CPD basics for UK clinicians
For revalidation, what counts as CPD is broad and flexible. It can include e-learning modules, webinars, reading articles, clinical audits, and peer discussions. The key is not just what you did, but what you learned and how it changed your practice. Appraisers are looking for evidence of reflection on the learning activity and its impact. While your Royal College may still have specific credit tallies or requirements, the GMC's focus is on the quality and relevance of your development. A quick tip is to keep a rolling log of your reflections and their impact, rather than chasing points at the end of the year (GMC UK, AOMRC).
Quick picks: free (or NHS-funded) CPD you can start today
- Praktiki: A mobile-first microlearning app that provides bite-sized, AI-assisted modules and tracks your CPD on the go (praktikicpd.com).
- NHS e-Learning for Healthcare (e-LfH): A huge, completely free catalogue of courses and programmes for all NHS staff, complete with certificates and activity logs (elearning for healthcare).
- MedAll: A platform hosting thousands of live and on-demand healthcare webinars and courses, many with free CPD/CME certificates available across a broad range of specialties (medall.org).
- Medscape Education: Offers a vast library of free CME/CE activities. These are excellent for self-directed CPD in the UK; just confirm acceptance with your appraiser or college (medscape.org).
- BMJ Learning: While much of the content is subscription-based, there are always selected free modules available, and many NHS staff have access to their valuable collections on topics like quality improvement and leadership (new-learning.bmj.com).
- RCGP eLearning: The Royal College of General Practitioners offers a mix of free and paid modules, with a significant number of high-quality resources available for free to its members (elearning.rcgp.org.uk).
- NHS Knowledge & Library Services “CPD Zone”: Your local NHS library service often curates links to a wide range of CPD resources, tailored by profession (Knowledge and Library Services).
- MIMS Learning: The free CPD page offers excellent "taster" modules and articles for both primary and secondary care clinicians (mimslearning.co.uk).
Platform spotlights (what they’re best for)
Praktiki — microlearning that fits real life
Praktiki is designed for the reality of a busy clinician's schedule. It delivers 5-minute daily modules on weekly topics, with built-in progression and CPD tracking. Its interface is designed to feel like Duolingo for clinicians, making it perfect for building a daily learning habit during a commute or coffee break (antler.co, praktikicpd.com).
NHS e-LfH — mandatory & specialty pathways
This is the definitive source for no-cost, NHS-aligned learning. The platform hosts essential national programmes (e.g., safeguarding, statutory training) alongside in-depth specialty pathways, providing a clear audit trail with activity logs and certificates (elearning for healthcare).
MedAll — live & on-demand events + certificates
MedAll is the go-to platform for interactive learning events. With thousands of webinars and virtual courses, many of which are free and offer CPD/CME credits, it's the easiest way to log participatory learning hours and engage with a global community of peers (medall.org, app.medall.org).
BMJ Learning & RCGP eLearning — structured clinical refreshers
For deeper dives into clinical topics, these platforms offer peer-reviewed modules and curated collections on everything from "hot topics" to quality improvement and leadership. They are mapped to UK practice and often have free access routes for NHS staff or college members (new-learning.bmj.com, elearning.rcgp.org.uk).
Medscape Education — broad, quick, free
Medscape offers one of the largest libraries of free, topic-based CME activities. While the content is often US-focused, it is an excellent resource for self-directed CPD. Just be sure to check its acceptance for your specific appraisal or college requirements (medscape.org, help.medscape.com).
Free CPD ideas by common needs
- For a primary care update: Complete a relevant NHS e-LfH programme and supplement it with the latest free modules from MIMS Learning, then write a single reflection on the impact to your practice.
- For quick “drip” learning: Commit to using Praktiki for five minutes every weekday and log your reflections in a single weekly summary.
- For live participatory hours: Find and attend a relevant live webinar on MedAll and download the certificate for your portfolio.
- For quality improvement/leadership: Explore the often-free-to-browse collections on QI or leadership from BMJ Learning.
How to evidence CPD (and keep the admin light)
Keep your reflection simple and structured. For each activity, use a template based on GMC & AoMRC principles:
- What I planned to learn: (Your learning objective)
- What I did: (The module, webinar, or article)
- What I learned & how it changed my practice: (The key takeaway and its impact on your patients, team, or service)
Remember, appraisers prioritise the quality of your reflection and its relevance to your practice over the raw number of points or hours you've collected.
30-60-90 day CPD game-plan (free-first)
- Days 1–30: Install Praktiki on your phone for daily use. Bookmark the e-LfH and MedAll websites. Complete one free BMJ Learning or RCGP eLearning module that you can apply in your next clinic. Start a simple reflection log.
- Days 31–60: Schedule and attend two live sessions on MedAll to gain participatory CPD. Start a longer programme on e-LfH that aligns with your professional development plan (PDP). Write one detailed "change in practice" reflection.
- Days 61–90: Solidify your best habit loop (e.g., daily Praktiki + one e-LfH module per week). Export your certificates and align your reflection log with your PDP in preparation for your next appraisal.
Comparison matrix
| Platform | Cost (for NHS Staff) | Format | Certificate | Best for | Notes / Limits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Praktiki | Freemium/Paid | Microlearning App | Yes | Daily habit-building, "dead time" learning | Subscription for full access |
| NHS e-LfH | Free | E-learning Modules | Yes | Mandatory training, NHS-aligned pathways | Can be text-heavy |
| MedAll | Mostly Free | Live/On-Demand Webinars | Yes | Participatory CPD, global community | Quality can vary by event host |
| BMJ Learning | Some Free / NHS Access | E-learning Modules | Yes | Deep dives, QI/leadership topics | Full access requires subscription |
| RCGP eLearning | Some Free / Member Access | E-learning Modules | Yes | GP-specific structured learning | Best value for RCGP members |
| Medscape | Free | E-learning Modules | Yes | Broad specialty coverage, quick topics | Often US-focused content |
FAQ
- Is CPD mandatory for UK doctors?
- Yes, participating in and reflecting on CPD is a requirement for revalidation. The GMC doesn’t mandate a specific number of credits, but it expects you to undertake relevant CPD that covers your whole scope of practice.
- Are Medscape/US CME activities valid in the UK?
- They are often perfectly usable as evidence of self-directed CPD, especially if you have a certificate and a strong reflective entry. However, it's always best to confirm with your appraiser or Royal College.
- Can I get free CPD as NHS staff?
- Yes, absolutely. NHS e-LfH provides a huge, fully-funded catalogue. Many events on MedAll are free, and you will likely have free access to some or all of BMJ Learning and RCGP eLearning via your institution or membership.
- What’s the easiest way to build a habit?
- Use a microlearning app like Praktiki for a few minutes daily. This builds a consistent habit. Then, supplement this with one live session per month and a short reflection after each activity.
Closing call-to-action
To build a sustainable and high-value CPD habit with minimal administrative burden, adopt a simple "micro–macro" loop. Use Praktiki for daily, bite-sized learning. Complete a relevant NHS e-LfH module weekly or bi-weekly. Attend a live MedAll session monthly for interactive learning. And tackle one deeper, reflective piece from BMJ Learning or the RCGP each quarter. This simple rhythm gives you a steady stream of traceable, UK-relevant CPD that will keep you current and confident in your practice.