ATSM TRAINING IN OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY
ATSM DIRECTOR: Rebecca Swingler
Please read in conjunction with the RCOG website relevant pages.
- Choosing your ATSM
- ATSM Interview
- Registering your ATSM as a trainee
- Registering your ATSM as a non-trainee
- Progression in your ATSM and e-portfolio requirements
- Regional ATSM preceptors and local ATSM Educational Supervisors
Choosing your ATSM
When choosing your ATSM, it is worth considering the likely consultant appointments within your region or nationally, your personal career intentions, your capability. We wish all trainees to work towards their strengths to enable them to have the best opportunity for a fulfilling future career.
You must complete two ATSMs to receive your CCT or equivalent. Usually this consists of one that is your career defining ATSM and will often have an intensity of 2. The other ATSM either complements this or shows your breadth of skills.
To ensure the best chance of success, we strongly recommend each trainee has a discussion with their educational supervisor when thinking about ATSMs, reviewing surgical and other skill sets, does the ATSM fit with career intentions, are there any visualised difficulties. Considering your choices at the start of ST5 allows you to work with your educational supervisor through that year to determine which of the ATSM will suit your skills and career aspirations, and should be part of the induction and further educational meetings.
This discussion should be documented on the eportfolio.
ATSM Discussions
The 2023 ATSM Discussions will take place on Thursday 2 February 2023 and Friday 10 February 2023.
All eligible trainees (Entering ST6 from August 2023-July 2024) should contact Caroline Stitfall by 25 November 2022 to confirm attendance
ATSM discussions are an opportunity for you to discuss your interests, how you want to develop as you move forward in your career and look to a consultant appointment. It also allows us to place you according to the ATSMs you have requested to ensure you are given the best opportunity to complete them.
The discussion will last approximately 20 minutes. Before the discussion you will be asked to send a copy of your current CV to the ATSM Director. At the start of the discussion, you will be expected to give a 5 minute presentation (without slides or hand outs) on your aims and ambitions in obstetrics and gynaecology, which ATSMs you wish to do and where you would ideally like to undertake them, and why.
You should also mention :
- whether you have already met any of the prerequisites for the ATSM (ie mandatory courses) eg. for fetal medicine you must have already completed the intermediate scanning module.
- Previously acquired experience and skills that would be relevant to the ATSM for e.g. if you are applying for the Acute gynaecology and Early pregnancy ATSM and have completed the intermediate scanning module. This will highlight to the director that the ATSM may have some areas already of competency and have a rough prediction of when they may complete the module. It will particularly help in modules with significant skills to acquire, for e.g. advanced laparoscopic, benign abdominal or vaginal surgery and feto-maternal medicine.
The interview will be used by the TPD to help with the placement of the trainee for their ST6 year. This is a complex process influenced by many factors other than the discussion itself (e.g. when current trainees are coming in and out training because of OOP and leave etc) and it still may not be possible for all trainees to go where they want. Trainees will be informed of their rotations at least 3 months before their start date.
ATSM registration as a Trainee
Before you apply for an ATSM, please ensure that you have discussed it with the local ATSM educational supervisor, the ATSM preceptor and the ATSM Director. They should review your work in ST5 considering suitable ATSM as often you will be applying at a rotation change. Please also review the FAQ and the application pages on the RCOG website.
Download the ATSM application form from the RCOG website, obtain the signatures of your local ATSM Educational Supervisor, the Regional ATSM Preceptor and then scan and email to the Rebecca Swingler, ATSM Director for her signature.
Your training will not be extended to complete ATSMs if you already have two completed ATSMs. Also, your further ATSM completion will not be a consideration when determining where you go for your period of grace, and that unit does not have to honour completion of the ATSM with timetabling. This is in concordance with the RCOG
What’s the latest I can register for an ATSM before being awarded my CCT/CESR(CP)?
You need to allow yourself sufficient time to complete two ATSMs in order to obtain your CCT. If you wish to register for a further ATSM close to your predicted CCT/CESR(CP) date, you’ll need to discuss this with your ATSM Director and other trainers to ensure you are still able to complete the necessary competences for your two ATSMs. Also, your deanery’s priority is to ensure all trainees meet the requirements for CCT before offering additional training opportunities to others.
ATSM registration for Non-Trainees
Please read the RCOG website to confirm your eligibility to apply for an ATSM
- Applicants must have completed the equivalent of the intermediate competences from the logbook (as ascertained by your local supervisor, who will sign to formally declare in the supplemental form they have assessed this).
- Applicants must have completed a minimum of 5 years in O&G.
- Applicants must have approval from their Clinical Director to register for an ATSM.
- The applicant’s most recent annual appraisal must have been satisfactory.
We are keen to support the career progression and training of all doctors within our region. However, we must ensure that our trainees have their required training before permitting non-trainees to register for an ATSM.
The ATSMs needs to be chosen cautiously as only 1 ATSM will be approved at any time and a maximum of 3 ATSMs will be allowed unless there are exceptional circumstances and support from their hospital.
If a trainee rotates into the hospital wishing to do the ATSM, your training sessions will not continue, as the trainee will have priority even when your application was agreed first.
If your ATSM includes any surgical or ultrasound exposure, the unit needs to be certain and happy to certify that fulfilling your training needs will be not be detrimental to trainees in years 3-5 at the unit.
All non trainees wishing to do an ATSM must purchase the eportfolio from the RCOG – please contact the officer there. Sign off of completion of the ATSM will only occur with the correct eportfolio evidence.
Progression in the ATSM
The RCOG and HEE wish to ensure that all trainees have similar expectations and experiences in their ATSM and are trained to the same standards. Therefore the following documentation and processes are expected for all trainees and non-trainees, and an eportfolio is mandatory for all wishing to complete an ATSM. Please see the RCOG website for further details.
The preceptor of the ATSM will check on eportfolios in the year to ensure progress is being made and assessments are progressing. This will provide quality assurance and help to arbitrate in cases of difficult progression.
The director of ATSM will also have eportfolio access to quality assure that the above has taken place for all trainees and non trainees.
Difficulties with progression in ATSM
- The ATSM applicant and ATSM educational supervisor locally will meet frequently to confirm progression in the ATSM
- If competence/goals not progressing at the 6 month meeting, these will be reviewed with the regional preceptor, with evidence of lists attended, cases done and clinics/special interest sessions. There should be a report from the local ATSM educational supervisor clearly stating the difficulties, any remediation already in place and outcomes on eportfolio. The ATSM applicant may wish to submit extenuating circumstances. The preceptor will document this meeting on the eportfolio and notify the ATSM director.
- Possible outcomes of this meeting include ATSM applicant to discontinue at this time, clear objectives for further 6 months, discussion with training unit if there are difficulties accessing training.
- If at further 6 months [1 year in total] not sufficient progress, then a further meeting with preceptor then ATSM director and ATSM applicant most likely will be advised to discontinue if this is a trainee related cause, and information passed to ARCP panel to this effect.
- If the ATSM applicant feels that the training unit is not offering training the ATSM requires, they are advised to initially look locally with the educational supervisor or college tutor for improvement, and if this is not possible, or is unsuccessful, to then contact their preceptor and the ATSM director.
Completion of ATSM
When the ATSM applicant has completed all elements of the curriculum, with suitable evidence they need to meet with their ATSM educational supervisor to confirm that all areas of the ATSM are complete.
They will complete the notification of completion of training paperwork as per RCOG guidance
The ATSM applicant will then email the preceptor and arrange an appointment to review the eportfolio and complete the sign off process.
The notification of completion of training paperwork will then be sent to Rebecca Swingler the ATSM director who will again review the eportfolio evidence and countersign the notification.
Should there be any concerns or disagreement, the preceptor will discuss with the ATSM director.
The notification of completion of training will be sent on to the RCOG.
Please allow a minimum of a month for all the checking and signing off. This is particularly important if you are approaching your final ARCP and require the completion certificate back from the RCOG to complete the training programme and receive your ARCP. This allows for the annual leave of preceptors and director.
ATSMs Update
Advanced laparoscopic surgery for the excision of benign disease.
This is now recruited to within the region and interviews will be held, within 6 months of the post becoming available.
For all other updates on ATSMs see the RCOG website
ATSMs Preceptors and Local Hospital ATSM Educational Supervisors
|
ATSM |
Work Intensity |
Regional Preceptor |
Hospital |
Local ATSM Educational Supervisor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Abortion Care |
1.0 |
Southmead Hospital |
Dr Singh |
|
|
PAS, Unity Sexual Health St. Michael’s Hospital |
Dr Singh Dr Moses |
|||
|
Acute Gynaecology and Early Pregnancy |
2.0 |
Dr Jane Mears |
Bath Royal United Hospital |
Dr Ficquet / Dr O'Brien |
|
Gloucester Royal Hospital |
Dr Doraiswarmy |
|||
|
Southmead Hospital |
Mr Akande / Dr JMears |
|||
|
St. Michael’s Hospital |
||||
|
Great Western Hospital |
Dr Lalrin |
|||
|
Taunton Musgrove Park Hospital |
Dr Haerizadeh |
|||
|
High Risk Pregnancy |
2.0 |
Mr Simon Grant
|
Bath Royal United Hospital |
Dr Farey |
|
Gloucester Royal Hospital |
Dr Evans-Jones / Dr Arlidge |
|||
|
Southmead Hospital |
Mr Grant |
|||
|
St. Michael’s Hospital |
Dr Trinder / Dr Bahl |
|||
|
Great Western Hospital |
Dr Sindha |
|||
|
Taunton Musgrove Park Hospital |
Dr Robson |
|||
|
Advanced Labour Ward Practice
|
1.0
|
Dr Emma Treloar
|
Bath Royal United Hospital |
Dr Jane Farey |
|
Gloucester Royal Hospital |
Dr Evans-Jones / Dr Muslim / Dr Swingler |
|||
|
Southmead Hospital
|
Dr Jo Crofts / Dr Sonia Barnfield |
|||
|
St. Michael’s Hospital |
Dr Bahl / Dr Basude / Dr Treloar / Dr Strachan |
|||
|
Great Western Hospital |
Dr Van der Meer / Dr C Sullivan / Dr Moussa |
|||
|
Taunton Musgrove Park Hospital |
Dr Lovelock | |||
|
Advanced laparoscopic surgery for the excision of benign disease |
2.0 |
Miss Jessica Preshaw |
Southmead Hospital |
Miss Jessica Preshaw |
|
Benign abdominal surgery (Open and laparoscopic) |
2.0 |
Dr Ficquet |
Bath Royal United Hospital |
Dr Ficquet / Dr Russ Luker/ Dr David Walker |
|
Gloucester Royal Hospital |
Dr Vandhana / Dr Jothi Doraiswamy / Dr Jay Raut |
|||
|
Southmead Hospital |
Mr Vyas / Dr Mahavarkar |
|||
|
St. Michael’s Hospital |
Dr Crouch |
|||
|
Great Western Hospital |
Dr Lalrinawmi/ Dr Moussa/ Dr Gina Michel |
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|
Taunton Musgrove Park Hospital |
||||
|
Benign Gynaecological Surgery: Hysteroscopy |
1.0 |
Dr Jothi Doraiswamy |
Bath Royal United Hospital |
Mr Sholapurka |
|
Gloucester Royal Hospital |
Dr Jothi Doraiswamy |
|||
|
Southmead Hospital |
Mr Naaisa / Miss Appleyard |
|||
|
St. Michael’s Hospital |
Dr Crouch / Dr Mahavarkar |
|||
|
Great Western Hospital |
Mr Jones / Dr Torbe / Dr Moussa |
|||
|
Taunton Musgrove Park Hospital |
Dr Haerizadeh / Dr Attilia |
|||
|
Colposcopy |
1.0 |
Dr Naomi Crouch naomi.crouch@UHBristol.nhs.uk |
Bath Royal United Hospital |
Mr Johnson / Mr Luker |
|
Gloucester Royal Hospital |
Miss Hillaby / Mr Rolland |
|||
|
Southmead Hospital |
Miss Appleyard |
|||
|
St. Michael’s Hospital |
Dr Crouch |
|||
|
Swindon Great Western Hospital |
Dr Torbe |
|||
|
Taunton Musgrove Park Hospital |
Mr Milliken / Mr Morrison |
|||
|
Fetal medicine |
2.0 |
Mr Simon Grant |
Gloucester Royal Hospital |
Mr Hayman / Dr Arlidge / Dr Evans-Jones |
|
Southmead Hospital |
Mr Grant / Mr Abdel-Fattah |
|||
|
St. Michael’s Hospital |
Mr Overton / Mr Denbow / |
|||
|
Taunton Musgrove Park Hospital |
Dr Robson |
|||
|
Labour Ward Lead |
2.0 |
Dr Rebecca Swingler |
Bath Royal United Hospital |
Dr Farey |
|
Gloucester Royal Hospital |
Dr Rebecca Swingler |
|||
|
Southmead Hospital |
Dr Jo Crofts / Dr Sonia Barnfield |
|||
|
St. Michael’s Hospital |
Dr Bahl / Dr Basude |
|||
|
Swindon Great Western Hospital |
Dr Van der Meer / Dr C Sullivan |
|||
|
Taunton Musgrove Park Hospital |
Dr Lovelock |
|||
|
Obstetric Medicine |
2.0 |
Dr Jo Trinder Johanna.trinder@bristol.ac.uk |
Bath Royal United Hospital |
|
|
Gloucester Royal Hospital |
Mr Hayman / Dr Swingler |
|||
|
Southmead Hospital |
Dr Standing / Dr Burden |
|||
|
St. Michael’s Hospital |
Dr Trinder / Dr Mohan |
|||
|
Swindon Great Western Hospital |
Dr Van der Meer / Dr Santosh Poozhikalayil |
|||
|
Taunton Musgrove Park Hospital |
Dr Robson |
|||
|
Medical Education |
1.0 |
Mr Chendrimada Madhu |
Gloucester Royal Hospital |
Dr Swingler / Dr Athwal |
|
Southmead Hospital |
Mr Chendrimada Madhu |
|||
|
St. Michael’s Hospital |
Dr Nama |
|||
|
Swindon Great Western Hospital |
Dr Sinha /Mr Abdelrazik / Mr Jones |
|||
|
Taunton Musgrove Park Hospital |
|
|||
|
Menopause |
1.0 |
Miss Tracy Appleyard tracy-louise.appleyard@nbt.nhs.uk
|
Southmead Hospital |
Miss Appleyard |
|
Oncology |
2.0 |
Miss Jo Bailey jo.bailey@UHBristol.nhs.uk |
Bath Royal United Hospital |
Mr Frost |
|
Gloucester Royal Hospital |
Miss Hillaby / Mr Gornall / |
|||
|
St. Michael’s Hospital |
Miss Bailey |
|||
|
Swindon Great Western Hospital |
Dr Amy Keightley |
|||
|
Taunton Musgrove Park Hospital |
Mr Milliken / Dr Morrison |
|||
|
Paediatric and adolescent gynaecology |
1.0 |
Dr Naomi Crouch |
St. Michael’s Hospital |
Dr Strachan / Dr Crouch |
|
Sexual Health |
1.0 |
Dr Sharon Moses Sharon.Moses@UHBristol.nhs.uk |
|
|
|
Subfertility and reproductive Health |
2.0 |
Mr Valentine Akande
|
Bath Royal United Hospital |
Mr Walker |
|
Gloucester Royal Hospital |
Miss Reddy |
|||
|
Southmead Hospital |
Mr Akande Mr Kamali |
|||
|
St. Michael’s Hospital |
Dr Jeffreys |
|||
|
Swindon Great Western Hospital |
Mr Kevin Jones |
|||
|
Urogynaecology and Vaginal Surgery |
2.0 |
Mr Mark James |
Bath Royal United Hospital |
Miss Quereshi Miss Zoe Robinson |
|
Gloucester Royal Hospital |
Mr Rahmanou Mr James |
|||
|
Southmead Hospital |
Dr Sen Mr Chendrimada |
|||
|
Swindon Great Western Hospital |
Dr Vian Aziz Mr Abdelrazik |
|||
|
Taunton Musgrove Park Hospital |
Mr Naiguib |
|||
|
Vulval Disease |
1.0 |
Miss Kathryn Hilliby |
Gloucester Royal Hospital |
Miss Hillaby |
|
St Michaels |
Dr Crouch / Dr Mahavarkar |
|||
|
Swindon Great Western Hospital |
Dr Torbe |