Abstract

This article describes the development of a new multi-professional Master's degree programme, which is aimed at supporting the education of practitioners in meeting the needs of Level 1 critically ill patients. The main drivers that influenced its development were Comprehensive Critical Care (Department of Health, 2000a) and the National Health Service Modernisation Agency for Critical Care. The programme was aimed primarily at junior doctors, senior ward nurses, senior physiotherapists and members of Outreach teams. The programme was designed to maximize work-based learning and is framed around two clinically focused units. The programme is informed by principles of quality improvement and aims to prepare practitioners to meet the needs of Level 1 patients 'at the point of need'.