Generic Capabilities Framework (GCF) 

The Generic Capabilities Framework (GCF) was developed by the General Medical Council (GMC) in partnership with the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges. It outlines the essential competencies required for delivering safe, effective, and high-quality medical care. 

The framework supports postgraduate medical education and training by defining a consistent set of professional standards. While each specialty has its own curriculum approved by the GMC, the GCF provides a universal structure focused on the core responsibilities, behaviours, and competencies expected of all doctors. 

These capabilities are translated into educational outcomes, ensuring they can be embedded across all specialty training programmes. 

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The GCF has 9 domains in total, 3 fundamental domains and 6 targeted or themed domains: 

Domain 1 – Professional Values and Behaviours 

Domain 2 – Professional Skills 

Domain 3 – Professional Knowledge 

Domain 4 – Health promotion and illness prevention 

Domain 5 – Leadership and teamwork 

Domain 6 – Patient Safety and Quality Improvement 

Domain 7 – Safeguarding vulnerable 

Domain 8 – Education and Training 

Domain 9 – Research 

The detailed descriptors for each domain can be accessed from GMC’s Generic Capabilities Document here. 

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Within the SAS NIMDTA career development programme, educational events are mapped to GCF domains, helping SAS doctors and dentists align their learning with nationally recognised capabilities and maintain a clear record of their development. 

This structured approach supports individuals to: 

• Track progress across key capability areas 
• Identify strengths and development gaps 
• Build a robust, evidence-based portfolio 

Mapping learning to the GCF also plays a key role in career progression. It provides practical, targeted evidence to support: 

• Annual appraisal 
• capabilities for career progression to a specialist grade and added to the specialist grade template 
• Application to the portfolio pathway (further information available here) 

NIMDTA SAS Career Development Course Prospectus 

Click the image below to explore the course prospectus and see how each course maps to the GCF domains.