Development of a new clinical communication curriculum

Aims:•To outline the challenges (& opportunities) of developing a communication skills curriculum in a new medical school•To present an overview of the proposed curriculum (& ethos) across the five years &•To seek feedback and guidance from colleagues on the development & delivery of the curriculum Outline of content: A joint initiative from HEFCE/HEE, published in October 2017, invited HEFCE-fundable Higher Education Institutions to bid for the expansion of undergraduate medical education places. A bid from Edge Hill University was submitted for the development of a new medical school with a successful outcome. A key component of the proposal for undergraduate medical education was the development of an innovative spiral-curriculum, specifically focusing on community care and mental health. This presented some challenges, as this is the first time that Edge Hill University has adopted a non-modular degree with a spiral-curriculum. This does however, provide an opportunity to develop an innovative communication skills curriculum with service users, carers and clinical partners.