The last minute is the one candidates rush as the clock runs down — and it carries some of the most reliable marks in the station, including the safety-critical ones. Specific safety-netting, a clear plan, a final check for questions, and a warm close: get these and the examiner's last impression is of a safe, complete doctor.
Pattern 01
Safety-net with specifics, not "if you're worried"
What many candidates say"Come back if you're worried."
becomes
What scores in the room"If the pain spreads to your arm or jaw, or you feel breathless or sweaty, call 999 straight away — don't wait. For anything else that's not settling in 48 hours, see your GP."
Specific red-flag symptoms, a specific action, and a timeframe — that combination is what earns the safety-netting mark, and it's the safety-critical part of the whole station. Vague "come back if worried" is both poorly marked and genuinely unsafe.
Your turn
A patient is going home with a likely viral illness. Give a proper safety-net.
"Most of this should settle over the next few days. But if you develop a rash that doesn't fade when you press a glass on it, a stiff neck, or you become drowsy or confused, that's an emergency — call 999. If you're just not improving by the weekend, book with your GP."
Named symptoms, named action, named timeframe. That's a safety-net, not a wave goodbye.
Pattern 02
Close the loop on what happens next
What many candidates say(ends without saying what comes next)
becomes
What scores in the room"So the plan is: I'll arrange the blood tests today, the results should be back within a few days, and the clinic will call you to talk them through. Does that sound okay?"
Spelling out who does what, and by when, gives the patient certainty and is marked under management and structure. It also heads off the "but what happens now?" anxiety that sends people back through the door needlessly.
Your turn
Wrap up a station where you've started a treatment and arranged follow-up. State the plan.
"To recap the plan: you'll start the inhaler tonight, we'll review you in two weeks to see how you're getting on, and the practice nurse will show you the technique before you leave today. Happy with that?"
Three concrete steps, each owned by someone, each with a time. No loose ends.
Pattern 03
Summarise, then ask for the last question
What many candidates say"Right, that's everything. Take care."
becomes
What scores in the room"Before you go — we've covered a lot, so let me quickly recap, and then I want to be sure I've answered everything you came in with. Was there anything else on your mind?"
A closing summary plus an explicit invitation for remaining questions catches the thing the patient was too nervous to raise earlier — and both behaviours are marked. "Anything else on your mind?" opens the door one last time.
Your turn
You're nearly out of time. Close properly without rushing them out.
"Just to pull it together — we think it's X, we're doing Y, and you'll come back if Z. Before we finish, is there a question you've been wanting to ask that we've not got to?"
A three-beat recap, then a direct invitation for the held-back question. Often that's where the real concern finally comes out.
Pattern 04
End warm, with a clear way back in
What many candidates say(just stops talking)
becomes
What scores in the room"You've done the right thing coming in today. If anything changes, or you think of something later, you know where we are."
A warm close that affirms the patient and leaves an obvious route back lands the rapport mark right at the end — and the ending is the last thing the examiner hears. "You've done the right thing coming in" is a small line that carries a lot.
Your turn
Give the final line of the station — leave the patient reassured and clear on how to reach help.
"I'm really glad you came in with this. You're not on your own with it — we're here, and the door's always open if you need us."
Affirmation, partnership, an open door. The examiner's last impression is of a safe, kind doctor.
Register notes — closing voice
Safety-net = specific symptom + specific action + specific timeframe. Never just "if you're worried."
"The plan is…", "what happens next is…" — close the loop on management out loud.
"Before you go — anything else on your mind?" — the final invitation that catches the held-back concern.
"You've done the right thing coming in" — an affirming close that costs nothing and lands every time.
Tailor the red flags to the condition — the warning signs for a viral illness differ from chest pain or a headache; a generic safety-net misses the point.
Where marks bleed at the close
Vague safety-netting ("come back if worried") — poorly marked and genuinely unsafe.
Leaving the patient unsure what happens next.
No closing summary and no final "anything else?".
An abrupt, cold ending that quietly undoes the rapport you built all station.