Urology CESR Portfolio Guide
Complete guide to the Urology Portfolio Pathway: 5 Capabilities in Practice (CiPs), 9 evidence sections, and a 6-year currency window. Based on official GMC Specialty Specific Guidance, published by Joint Committee on Surgical Training (JCST) / Joint Committee on Intercollegiate Examinations (JCIE).
SSG Version: 22/05/2025
Capabilities in Practice (CiPs)
The Urology SSG defines 5 Capabilities in Practice (CiPs) that Portfolio Pathway applicants must demonstrate competence in.
Manages an out-patient clinic
Able to perform all the administrative and clinical tasks required of a consultant surgeon in order that all patients presenting as outpatients in the specialty are care for safely and appropriately
- Assesses and prioritises GP and inter-departmental referrals and deals correctly with inappropriate referrals
- Assesses new and review patients using a structured history and a focused clinical examination to perform a full clinical assessment, and determines the appropriate plan of action, explains it to the patient and carries out the plan
- Carries out syllabus defined practical investigations or procedures within the out-patient setting
- Adapts approach to accommodate all channels of communication (e.g. interpreter, sign language), communicates using language understandable to the patient, and demonstrates communication skills with particular regard to breaking bad news. Appropriately involves relatives and friends
- Takes co-morbidities into account
- Requests appropriate investigations, does not investigate when not necessary, and interprets results of investigations in context
- Selects patients with urgent conditions who should be admitted from clinic
- Manages potentially difficult or challenging interpersonal situations, including breaking bad news and complaints
- Completes all required documentation
- Makes good use of time
- Uses consultation to emphasise health promotion
Manages the unselected emergency take
All patients with an emergency condition requiring management within the specialty. Able to perform all the administrative and clinical tasks required of a consultant surgeon in order that all patients presenting as emergencies in the specialty are cared for safely and appropriately
- Promptly assesses acutely unwell and deteriorating patients, delivers resuscitative treatment and initial management, and ensures sepsis is recognised and treated in compliance with protocol
- Makes a full assessment of patients by taking a structured history and by performing a focused clinical examination, and requests, interprets and discusses appropriate investigations to synthesise findings into an appropriate overall impression, management plan and diagnosis
- Identifies, accounts for and manages co-morbidity in the context of the surgical presentation, referring for specialist advice when necessary
- Selects patients for conservative and operative treatment plans as appropriate, explaining these to the patient, and carrying them out
- Demonstrates effective communication with colleagues, patients and relatives
- Makes appropriate peri- and post-operative management plans in conjunction with anaesthetic colleagues
- Delivers ongoing post-operative surgical care in ward and critical care settings, recognising and appropriately managing medical and surgical complications, and referring for specialist care when necessary
- Makes appropriate discharge and follow up arrangements
- Carries out all operative procedures as described in the syllabus
- Manages potentially difficult or challenging interpersonal situations
- Gives and receives appropriate handover
Manages ward rounds and in-patients
Manages all hospital in-patients with conditions requiring management within the specialty. Able to perform all the administrative and clinical tasks required of a consultant surgeon in order that all inpatients requiring care within the specialty are cared for safely and appropriately
- Identifies at the start of a ward round if there are acutely unwell patients who require immediate attention
- Ensures that all necessary members of the multi-disciplinary team are present, knows what is expected of them and what each other’s roles and contributions will be, and contributes effectively to cross specialty working
- Ensures that all documentation (including results of investigations) will be available when required and interprets them appropriately
- Makes a full assessment of patients by taking a structured history and by performing a focused clinical examination, and requests, interprets and discusses appropriate investigations to synthesise findings into an appropriate overall impression, management plan and diagnosis
- Identifies when the clinical course is progressing as expected and when medical or surgical complications are developing, and recognises when operative intervention or re-intervention is required and ensures this is carried out
- Identifies and initially manages co-morbidity and medical complications, referring on to other specialties as appropriate
- Contributes effectively to level 2 and level 3 care
- Makes good use of time, ensuring all necessary assessments are made and discussions held, while continuing to make progress with the overall workload of the ward round
- Identifies when further therapeutic manoeuvres are not in the patient’s best interests, initiates palliative care, refers for specialist advice as required, and discusses plans with the patient and their family
- Summarises important points at the end of the ward rounds and ensures all members of the multi-disciplinary team understand the management plans and their roles within them
- Gives appropriate advice for discharge documentation and follow-up
Manages the Operating list
All patients with conditions requiring operative treatment within the specialty. Able to perform all the administrative and clinical tasks required of a consultant surgeon in order that all patients requiring operative treatment receive it safely and appropriately
- Selects patients appropriately for surgery, taking the surgical condition, co-morbidities, medication and investigations into account, and adds the patient to the waiting list with appropriate priority
- Understands when prophylactic antibiotics should be prescribed and follows local protocol
- Synthesises the patient’s surgical condition, the technical details of the operation, comorbidities and medication into an appropriate operative plan for the patient
- Negotiates reasonable treatment options and shares decision-making with patients
- Takes informed consent in line with national legislation or applies national legislation for patients who are not competent to give consent
- Arranges anaesthetic assessment as required
- Undertakes the appropriate process to list the patient for surgery
- Prepares the operating list, accounting for case mix, skill mix, operating time, clinical priorities, and patient co-morbidity
- Leads the brief and debrief and ensures all relevant points are covered for all patients on the operating list
- Ensures the WHO checklist (or equivalent) is completed for each patient at both the beginning and end of each procedure
- Carries out the operative procedures to the required level for the phase of training as described in the specialty syllabus
- Uses good judgement to adapt operative strategy to take account of pathological findings and any changes in clinical condition
- Undertakes the operation in a technically safe manner, using time efficiently
- Demonstrates good application of knowledge and non-technical skills in the operating theatre, including situation awareness, decision-making, communication, leadership, and teamwork
- Writes a full operation note for each patient, ensuring inclusion of all post-operative instructions
- Reviews all patients post-operatively
- Manages complications safely, requesting help from colleagues where required
Manages multi-disciplinary working
Manages all patients with conditions requiring interdisciplinary management including care within the specialty. Able to perform all the administrative and clinical tasks of a consultant surgeon in order that safe and appropriate multi-disciplinary decisions are made on all patients with conditions requiring care within the specialty.
- Appropriately selects patients who require discussion at the multi-disciplinary team
- Follows the appropriate administrative process
- Deals correctly with inappropriate referrals for discussion (e.g. postpones discussion if information is incomplete or out-of-date)
- Engages constructively with all members of the multi-disciplinary team in reaching an agreed management decision, taking co-morbidities into account, recognising when uncertainty exists, and being able to manage this
- Effectively manages potentially challenging situations such as conflicting opinions
- Develops a clear management plan and communicates discussion outcomes and subsequent plans by appropriate means to the patient, GP and administrative staff as appropriate
- Presents relevant case history, recognising important clinical features, co-morbidities and investigations
- Identifies patients with unusual, serious or urgent conditions
- Manages time to ensure the case list is discussed in the time available
- Arranges follow up investigations when appropriate and knows indications for follow up
Evidence Requirements
The SSG specifies 9 evidence sections. Each section describes what evidence to provide and how to present it.
Evidence of training, qualifications, and employment
Evidence of employment in posts and duties (including training posts) and primary medical qualification.
What to provide
- Up to date copy of your CV
- Employment letters (if proof of eligibility is needed)
- On call rotas (rota patterns for each post held over the last six years WTE)
- Primary medical qualification (PMQ) if not already holding full registration
How to present
Grouped by employment/training post.
Knowledge
Demonstrate knowledge appropriate for specialist practice in the UK.
What to provide
- FRCS (Urology) or FRCS (Urology Int) certificate together with confirmation of this from the JCIE/JSCFE
- OR A portfolio of knowledge, which shows equivalent knowledge to the curriculum including a detailed, thorough and succinct cross-referencing mapping exercise
How to present
Certificate or detailed mapping exercise with syllabus/curricula of alternative qualifications.
Skills and experience
Evidence of the breadth of clinical experience required to meet the CiP outcomes as defined in the specialty syllabus.
What to provide
- Logbooks in eLogbook format
- Consolidation reports (operative group report and SAC indicative procedures report)
- Workplace Based Assessments (WBAs) including PBAs for index procedures and special interest procedures
- CBDs or CEXs for critical conditions
How to present
Full logbooks uploaded per institution and named (e.g., Stepping Hill – Jan 2016-Jan 2018). WBAs grouped by institution and index procedure/type.
CPD/Conferences
Evidence of engagement in CPD and attendance at specialist conferences.
What to provide
- Evidence of CPD to demonstrate keeping knowledge and skills up to date
- Evidence of having attended national or international conferences and meetings during the six years prior to application
How to present
Grouped by CPD activity or conference.
Research
Evidence of having met the relevant requirements for research and scholarship as set out under GPC 9.
What to provide
- A higher degree by research at level 7 or level 8
- OR a portfolio of evidence including publications, poster/podium presentations, full audit cycles, GCP course, authorship of papers, recruitment into REC approved study
How to present
At least one piece of evidence submitted for each of the 4 areas of research capabilities.
Medical education and training
Evidence of an understanding of, and participation in, medical education.
What to provide
- ‘Training the Trainers’ course or equivalent
- Lecture slides to show involvement in training
- Evidence of participation in teaching and training (timetables, ad hoc training feedback)
- A variety of written structured feedback from those taught
- Evidence of assessing others (e.g., WBAs)
- Appraisal confirming role in teaching
How to present
Group and upload evidence by teaching activity with a clear description (e.g., Stepping Hill – Foundation doctor training – Presentation, feedback and timetable – 2018).
Quality Improvement
Evidence of an understanding of, and participation in, audit or quality/service improvement.
What to provide
- Evidence of completing or supervising three audit or quality/service improvement projects in the last six years (WTE)
- Slides of an audit presentation
- Audit reports
- Presentations of audit work
How to present
Group and upload evidence by audit activity with a clear description. Provide audits in reverse chronological order.
Management and Leadership
Evidence of leadership and having taken part in a management related activity.
What to provide
- A course on UK health service management
- A reflection on the course
- Leadership courses / modules / training / coaching
- Evidence of having taken part in management and leadership activities (e.g., rota organisation, clinical lead, audit lead, committee chair)
How to present
Group and upload evidence by activity with a clear description (e.g., UK NHS Management course and course programme with reflections July 2023).
Additional evidence
Evidence to demonstrate outcomes in appraisal, multidisciplinary working, communication, consent, complaints, and legislation.
What to provide
- Appraisal (two cycles of recent appraisal)
- Examples of communication between colleagues across MDTs
- MSF or 360 feedback
- Involvement in MDT meetings (minutes, presentations)
- Referral letters, discharge summaries, consent documents
- Evidence of dealing with complaints (primary evidence, reflection, or letter confirming no complaints)
- Evidence of working within health and safety legislation (mandatory Trust courses)
- Evidence of working within equality and diversity legislation (EDI courses)
How to present
Explanatory statement/cover note in each section if cross-referencing evidence.
Critical Conditions
The SSG requires evidence of managing 14 critical conditions at specified competence levels.
| Condition | Assessment Type | Min Level |
|---|---|---|
| Renal Trauma | CBD/CEX | 4 |
| Iatrogenic bladder injury | CBD/CEX | 4 |
| Pelvic fracture & urethral injury | CBD/CEX | 4 |
| Fournier’s Gangrene | CBD/CEX | 4 |
| Iatrogenic ureteric injury | CBD/CEX | 4 |
| Septic or shocked patient including infected obstructed kidney | CBD/CEX | 4 |
| High Pressure Chronic Retention | CBD/CEX | 4 |
| Penile emergency – priapism or fracture | CBD/CEX | 4 |
| Acute scrotum/torsion | CBD/CEX | 4 |
| Ureteric obstruction | CBD/CEX | 4 |
| TUR syndrome | CBD/CEX | 4 |
| Post TURP Bleeding | CBD/CEX | 4 |
| Spinal cord compression/injury/cauda equine including autonomic dysreflexia | CBD/CEX | 4 |
| The Acute Abdomen (to include PID, appendicitis, AAA, obstructed hernia) | CBD/CEX | 4 |
Index Procedures
6 index procedures require procedural-based assessments (PBAs) with specified minimum assessors and competence levels.
| Procedure | Category | Min PBAs | Min Assessors | Min Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Urodynamics | 9 | 3 | 4 | |
| TRUS/transperineal Biopsy | 9 | 3 | 4 | |
| LUTS Procedures inc TURP | 9 | 3 | 4 | |
| TURBT | 9 | 3 | 4 | |
| Peno-Scrotal Procedures including orchidopexy for torsion | 9 | 3 | 4 | |
| Ureteroscopy and laserlithotrpsy | 9 | 3 | 4 |
Special Interest Areas
Knowledge Requirements
Primary Path
FRCS (Urology) or FRCS (Urology Int) certificate together with confirmation of this from the JCIE/JSCFE.
Alternative Path
A portfolio of knowledge, which shows equivalent knowledge to the curriculum, including a detailed, thorough and succinct cross-referencing mapping exercise.
The European Board Examination (FEBU) is unlikely even in combination with other elements to show knowledge as described. Pre-ISB Examination versions of the FRCS will not contribute to the portfolio.
Referee Requirements
Referee Reports Required
Last two years of practice (WTE, does not need to be consecutive)
- Consultants who have observed your practice over the last two years
- At least two referees should have current significant involvement in training and knowledge of assessment processes (e.g. CS, AES, TPD)
- One report should be from the head of your specialty department (e.g. Clinical Director)
Volume and Assessment Targets
The SSG specifies minimum volume and assessment targets for this specialty.
PBAs for each index procedure
Index procedures
PBAs for special interest module
Special interest procedures
CBD or CEX in each of the critical conditions
Critical conditions
Audit or quality/service improvement projects
Quality Improvement
Cycles of recent appraisal
Appraisal
Currency Window & Evidence Volume
Currency Window
Years
Evidence drawn from the last six years of clinical practice prior to submission (WTE, does not need to be consecutive). If you have had a break in practice in the last six calendar years, 50% of your evidence of competency in the critical conditions (CBDs) and emergency index procedures (PBAs) should be drawn from the last two years clinical practice. If working less than full time, evidence should be weighted to more recent years.
Evidence Volume
800-1000 pages of evidence
Additional Notes
Unbundling of cases, i.e. splitting up standard operations into two or more parts, in order to count operations as multiple cases on one patient is not permitted. As a principle, one patient = one operation.
If you have had a break in practice in the last six calendar years, 50% of your evidence of competency in the critical conditions (CBDs) and emergency index procedures (PBAs) should be drawn from the last two years clinical practice.
AI-generated or generic reflections may not be given weight; reflections must be specific, personal examples.
WBAs which appear to be completed retrospectively will hold no weight. Block entries of 'satisfactory' are not acceptable.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Urology CESR portfolio?
How many framework units does Urology require?
What evidence is required for Urology specialist registration?
How long is the currency window for Urology?
What index procedures are required for Urology?
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