Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists

This joint working party was established to explore key issues affecting students' clinical learning experiences and to identify strategies to address them. Their remit was to:

1. Review the clinical learning environment in maternity services with particular respect to the recruitment of doctors and midwives.
2. Gather national and international research and evidence pertaining to the development and support of a good clinical learning environment.
3. Identify and propagate examples of good practice relating to the clinical learning environment and recruitment.
4. Develop a collaborative strategy for the development of professional support within the clinical learning environment and enhanced recruitment.

The working party comprised a group of professionals with relevant expertise and experiences encompassing the academic, clinical, practical and organisational aspects of learning environments. The group met on five occasions, from January to September 2006.