A clearer route
Understand the current pathway and how the new SSG guidance affects your planning.
National hybrid conference · Emergency Medicine
Mapping the Route
EM Portfolio Pathway Conference — formerly CESR. Practical guidance from pathway leaders, assessors, educators and doctors who understand the application journey.
Date
Monday 7 December 2026
Venue
King's Mill HospitalEducation Centre, NG17 4JL
Format
HybridFace-to-face + live online
Secure card payment through Stripe · Certificate of attendance provided
Current guidanceNew SSG guide updates
Interactive learningEvidence-mapping workshop
Real perspectivesApplicants, assessors and supervisors
Accessible formatJoin at King's Mill or online
Why this conference
Stop guessing what counts as good Portfolio Pathway evidence
The challenge is rarely a lack of hard work. It is knowing what the requirements mean, whether your evidence is strong enough, where the gaps sit and how to present the application as one clear professional story.
This day is designed to turn a complex route into practical decisions you can use immediately.
Common challenges
- Understanding the SLOsTurning curriculum language into workable evidence.
- Judging evidence qualityKnowing when documentation is credible, current and sufficiently complete.
- Finding gaps earlyAvoiding late surprises in POCUS, paediatrics, QIP, procedures and reports.
- Making the portfolio readableHelping assessors follow the evidence and your progression.
What you will leave with
A clearer route and a practical plan
An evidence map
Recognise what you already have, what needs strengthening and what is missing.
An assessor's perspective
See what makes an application easier to understand, trust and assess.
Practical next steps
Leave with actions you can apply to your own portfolio and supervision conversations.
Programme
What the day covers
Final timings and session titles will be published as the programme is confirmed.
- The Portfolio Pathway todayThe GMC and RCEM process, including new SSG guide updates.
- Translating the curriculum and SLOsWhat the requirements mean and how assessors read the evidence.
- Interactive evidence-mapping workshopMap what you have, identify gaps and plan what comes next.
- Common gaps and avoidable mistakesPOCUS, paediatrics, QIP, procedures, reports and documentation quality.
- Voices from the routeWhat successful applicants, supervisors and assessors wish people knew earlier.
- Questions and practical next stepsBring the learning back to your own portfolio and local support system.
Who should attend
Made for doctors on the route — and those supporting them
SAS doctors, locally employed doctors and international medical graduates working towards the Specialist Register in Emergency Medicine.
Educational supervisors, clinical supervisors, consultants and programme leads supporting Portfolio Pathway doctors are also welcome.
Confirmed speakers
Experience from across the route
Additional speakers will be announced as the programme develops.
Dr Shakeel Siddiqui MBBS, MRCEM, FRCEM
Consultant in Emergency Medicine · Training Programme Director, York Emergency Medicine Portfolio Pathway · Co-Chair, RCEM Portfolio Pathway Committee
Clinical Governance Lead for Emergency Medicine in York, RCEM Examiner and Honorary Senior Lecturer at Hull York Medical School. He has more than 20 years of Emergency Medicine experience, with particular interests in medical education, clinical governance, patient safety and supporting Portfolio Pathway doctors.
Sherif Alkahky
Founder & Conference Director, The EM Route · Consultant in Emergency Medicine · RCEM Portfolio Pathway Assessor & Examiner
Sherif completed the CESR route and joined the GMC Specialist Register in 2024. He supports doctors through portfolio supervision, evidence review and practical pathway education.
Mahmoud “Fawzy” Eltawagny
Founder, The EM Route · Consultant in Emergency Medicine & Ultrasound Lead · RCEM Examiner
Mahmoud is an international educator in Emergency Medicine and ultrasound, founder of SONIC POCUS and an experienced clinical teacher with a strong focus on practical education.
Daniah Ahmed
Senior Accreditation Officer · Royal College of Emergency Medicine
Daniah has worked on the Portfolio Pathway for almost 12 years and has seen every change along the way. She has written multiple Specialty Specific Guidance documents and understands how the GMC operates — providing the best advice for anyone considering an application.
Watch
The conference, in short clips
Three short clips — feel free to share them with colleagues on WhatsApp or social media.
Understanding the Portfolio Pathway
SSG guidance and evidence mapping
Common gaps and your route to success
Provisional timetable
The shape of the day
09:00–17:00 · Final timetable to be confirmed.
| 09:00–09:30 | Registration & coffee |
| 09:30–09:45 | Welcome & aims of the day |
| 09:45–10:30 | Keynote — New SSG guidance: what it means for your application |
| 10:30–10:50 | Coffee |
| 10:50–11:20 | The KMH ED CESR journey: past, present and future |
| 11:20–11:45 | A Trust vision: supporting CESR programmes organisation-wide |
| 11:45–12:15 | The GMC perspective on Portfolio Pathway applications |
| 12:15–13:00 | Lunch |
| 13:00–13:30 | POCUS competencies and sign-off for the portfolio |
| 13:30–14:10 | Application submission: process, timelines and pitfalls |
| 14:10–14:25 | Coffee |
| 14:25–15:30 | Workshop: evidence mapping + open Q&A with assessors & faculty |
| 15:30–16:05 | Panel: voices from the route — successful applicants |
| 16:05–16:15 | Closing remarks & certificates |
| 16:15–17:00 | Networking & informal discussion with faculty |
Venue & getting there
King's Mill Conference Centre — Lecture Theatre 1
The conference is held in Lecture Theatre 1 of the King's Mill Conference Centre — a 120-seat tiered lecture theatre with full audio-visual and video-conferencing facilities, located on the King's Mill Hospital site.
Address: King's Mill Conference Centre, King's Mill Hospital, Mansfield Road, Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, NG17 4JL
Open the Education Centre in Google Maps
By car
The hospital is easily reached from junctions 28 and 29 of the M1, and from the A38. On-site car parks use a ticketless number-plate (ANPR) system — no ticket needed; pay before leaving. See the Trust parking page for current fees, and the hospital site map (PDF) for public car park locations — the Conference Centre is building 11.
By train & bus
The nearest stations are Mansfield (next to the bus station, with buses to the hospital every ten minutes) and Sutton Parkway (bus stop on Low Moor Road, a short walk from the station). The Stagecoach number 1 bus stops on the hospital grounds, close to the main entrance.
Attending online
Online delegates receive a joining link by email before the conference — no travel required. The session is broadcast live from the lecture theatre with the same programme as in-person attendance.
Choose how to attend
Book your place
Secure payment is handled through Stripe. Booking confirmation is sent after payment.
£75
Join us at the Education Centre, King's Mill Hospital.
- Full in-person conference access
- Interactive evidence-mapping workshop
- Direct questions and discussion
- Certificate of attendance
£50
Join the live conference programme remotely.
- Live online conference access
- Join from anywhere
- Access to the educational programme
- Certificate of attendance
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Is the conference only for Emergency Medicine doctors?
The programme is built around the Emergency Medicine Portfolio Pathway. It is most relevant to EM applicants and the supervisors, consultants and programme leads supporting them.
Is it suitable if I am early in the pathway?
Yes. Understanding the evidence requirements and gaps early can prevent wasted effort later. The day is also relevant to doctors approaching submission.
Can educational and clinical supervisors attend?
Yes. Supervisors and consultants supporting Portfolio Pathway doctors are specifically included in the intended audience.
Will the online option be live?
Yes. The conference is hybrid, with live online access. Joining instructions will be sent to online delegates before the event.
Will I receive a certificate?
Certificate of attendance provided. The programme includes approximately six hours of educational activity.
What happens after I book?
You will receive confirmation through Stripe. Further event or joining information will be sent closer to the conference using the email supplied at booking.
What is the cancellation policy?
Please read the Cancellation & Refund Policy before booking.