About Us

Introduction
The College of Urgent Care Physicians trains doctors in Urgent Care, an independent branch of medicine recognised by the Medical Council of New Zealand (currently under the old name 'Accident and Medical Practice'). After successfully completing a four year training programme, trainees are awarded Fellowship of the College of Urgent Care Physicians and may practise independently in Urgent Care facilities.

Urgent Care definition
CUCP defines Urgent Care as primary care services that are episodic, with a no-appointments system, covered by CUCP's training programme, and are delivered from a CUCP-approved Urgent Care facility.

Approved Facilities
Standards New Zealand, in conjunction with CUCP, has developed standards for community based urgent care clinics. Hospital standards are not being discussed. CUCP has stressed that the key features that distinguish an Urgent Care Clinic from a general practice are the presence of x-ray on-site or within (covered) wheelchair distance and extended hours, e.g. 8am – 8pm seven days.

Training facilities
CUCP generally accepts Clinics that meet the above criteria and hospital Emergency Departments for Urgent Care training purposes.

Facilities that nearly meet these criteria may be considered by CUCP individually with reference to other indicators of Urgent Care functionality, including actual opening hours and how well these meet the needs of the community served, proximity of x-ray, dedicated plaster and resuscitation rooms, equipment levels, orthopaedic clinics on-site, and an assessment of whether the physicians provide Urgent Care.

History
The CUCP was formed in 1992 by doctors working in community clinics and hospital emergency departments, and became an incorporated society, the Accident and Medical Practitioners Association, in 1995.

The New Zealand Medical Council recognised Accident and Medical Practice as a branch of medicine in 2000.

In 2011, AMPA changed its name to College of Urgent Care Physicians Incorporated, the Branch name to Urgent Care, and the doctor's designation to Urgent Care Physician.

Membership
As at November 2011, there are about 200 CUCP Urgent Care Physicians, with around 70% working in community Clinics and 30% in hospital Emergency Departments (with a collegial relationship with a Fellow of ACEM).

Goals
- To develop and advance the delivery of Urgent Care.
- To represent its members to statutory bodies, government, the media and other entities.
- To foster research in Urgent Care.

Activities
Vocational Registration
CUCP administers a four-year post-graduate Urgent Care training programme leading to Fellowship of CUCP. It also runs a recertification programme, for the ongoing education of Urgent Care Fellows.
Government bodies
CUCP consults the Ministry of Health, ACC, Regional Health Authorities and many other government organisations. In common with other Colleges, it has a close relationship with the MCNZ and comments on proposed MCNZ policy changes.
Other Colleges
CUCP seeks to have strong collegial relationships with other Colleges, in particular its neighbours in General Practice, Emergency Medicine and Rural Hospital Medicine.
NZMA
CUCP is affiliated with the NZMA.

Rules and Regulations
CUCP is an incorporated society, governed by rules and regulations.

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