Capabilities Framework Development

Capabilities Framework Development 2019 – 2022

In this webinar, experts and leaders within the field provide further insight into the Capabilities Framework and explain how this will be of benefit to remote, rural and humanitarian healthcare professionals. 


What is the Framework?

The Faculty of Remote, Rural & Humanitarian Healthcare (FRRHH) Capabilities Framework will standardise the knowledge, skills and behaviours for safe and effective practice required by those working in clinical and non-clinical roles in remote, rural and humanitarian settings. The framework will enable the recognition, application and transferability of core capabilities and values required of remote, rural and humanitarian healthcare professionals. The completed framework will define and communicate the scope of practice and capabilities required of multi-disciplinary healthcare teams working in these defined areas. The framework will build upon and complement existing standards, competencies and capabilities currently used to support the development of remote, rural and humanitarian healthcare professionals.

Initial consolation with subject matter experts and conceptualisation of the framework began in late 2019. Development work has continued since then to build a first draft edition which is due for completion in 2022. The second edition of the completed framework is scheduled to be released 18 months from initial publication to accommodate updates required from wider feedback and updates in best practice. 

Uses and Applications

The Capabilities Framework will act as the foundation of our Faculty and will be used to inform the design and creation of all core faculty services and activities. The completed framework will be used for assessing, facilitating and recognising the professional development of remote, rural and humanitarian healthcare professionals. It is recognised that it is not enough just to outline what is required, so to support its implementation, the framework will also include a user guide to specify how the framework can support the following areas:

Faculty Applications Additional Applications

To define, review and set standards of competence

Assessing and developing roles and teams

To create and administer professional membership standards for the award of post nominals

Design of education / training

Accreditation of external training courses, resources and training centres

Workforce planning and assessment

Who is Involved?

FRRHH Executive Committee Leads

The development of the framework is being led by FRRHH Executive Committee members, Josette Morisson, Professor Angus Watson, Professor Sandra MacRury and Professor Tony Redmond. Additional resources and expertise have been sought to further support the development of this project.

External Consultants

FRRHH Organisational Member, Robert Gordon University (RGU) completed an academic literature review examining remote, rural and humanitarian healthcare in order to support the development of the FRRHH Capabilities Framework.

Skills for Health (SFH) assisted in the development of the FRRHH Capabilities Framework structure and provided their expertise in the development of frameworks for healthcare professionals.

FRRHH Volunteers 

The Capabilities Framework Working Group (CFWG) have provided substantial, valuable input on the development of the framework since its conception. The CFWG is a group of volunteer subject matter experts drawn from a diverse and wide-reaching representation that covers multiple healthcare professions, geographical locations, private healthcare delivery, public healthcare delivery and charity and NGO key stakeholders. The Faculty are immensely grateful to these volunteers who have formed a fast-growing community of practice, without whom, the framework simply would not exist.

The Faculty welcomes feedback at all stages of this project development. To find out more, and become involved, email frrhh@rcsed.ac.uk


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