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Posted March 20th 2020 (3 years ago)

National Lead Dean Guidance re SL and Covid-19

Dear Colleague

As we prepare for the impact of COVID 19 a number of queries have come to us with regards to HEE’s approach to study leave. Please be advised that the position is as follows:

Impact of Coronavirus On Study Leave for Doctors in Training

Trainees should endeavour to obtain a refund for any pre-booked expenses. If they unable to do so we will honour the claim, but they should provide evidence when they submit their claim that the expense was non-refundable.

All requests for study leave time not taken during the outbreak will be properly considered by the employers and Postgraduate deans and will be subject to the need to maintain NHS services, and training requirements for completion of programmes.

We are asking all parties to be flexible both during and after this difficult time.

HEE will be developing a set of FAQs to help manage the queries that are arising.

If there are unresolved queries please contact us via Study Leave (SW); StudyLeave.SW@hee.nhs.uk for our Postgraduate Dean to review.

 

Posted October 3rd 2019 (4 years ago)

ARCPs - HEE guide for trainees

Please follow the link for an animation providing a short & simple guide for trainees and trainers on how the ARCP process works.

https://specialtytraining.hee.nhs.uk/arcp

 

Posted July 21st 2014 (9 years ago)

GMC’s Curriculum Advisory Group Vacancies

Dear Sir/Madam,

We are looking to appoint two medical trainee members to our Curriculum and Assessment Group (CAG) within our Education & Standards Directorate at the GMC. The vacancies have arisen as a result of two current trainees gaining their Certificates of Completion of Training and moving to become medical members of the CAG.

The purpose of the CAG is to scrutinise changes to specialty and subspecialty curricula and assessment systems evaluating them against the GMC’s curriculum standards.

We are looking for trainee members who have experience in one or all of the following areas; medical education, curriculum development, assessment expertise and psychometrics.

More information can be found on the Education news section of the GMC website. It includes more information on the role of the CAG, the trainee member specification and the application process.

To apply for the role, please click here. We welcome applications from doctors in training. Please feel free to forward this email to anyone suitable.

If you have any questions on any aspect of this email please do not hesitate to contact us.

Kind regards,

Neil Grant, Associate Services Advisor, General Medical Council, Regents Place, 350 Euston Road, London, NW1 3JN Tel: 020 7189 5336 

Posted July 21st 2014 (9 years ago)

Sustainability Short Film

Severn Postgraduate Medical Education has created a new film concerning sustainable working practices across the region.
We encourage everyone involved with postgraduate medical education to take a look because it contains ideas and information about how we as an organisation can reduce our carbon footprint to meet national targets.

Sustainability Short Film

We hope that you enjoy it…

Posted June 26th 2014 (9 years ago)

A Charter for Postgraduate Medical Training

The Academy Trainee Doctors' Group has produced 'A Charter for Postgraduate Medical Training' on behalf of the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges. This Charter describes a set of guiding principles to ensure the highest standard of doctors’ training and quality of care. It also makes specific recommendations for commitments based on these principles which emphasise training priorities while recognising the responsibilities of doctors in training.

AOMRC Doctors in training

 The Charter was written in consultation with stakeholders including the medical royal colleges and faculties, the General Medical Council and the Shape of Training Expert Advisory Group. Professor David Greenaway’s report ‘Securing the future of excellent patient care: Final report of the independent review’ highlighted the Charter and its potential to help with the challenges of delivering both training and service. The Charter was published in full as an annex to this report.
We are currently sending the Charter to all groups involved in medical training and to doctors in training via Trainee representatives. You may well be contacted in this regard and we are expecting doctors in training to have further ideas on how to disseminate the charter (for example, by including it in induction or welcome packs).
We believe the Charter has the potential to provide an excellent foundation for delivering training and high quality care and I hope you will share our enthusiasm for this work.

Posted April 11th 2014 (9 years ago)

Changes to Study Leave Procedures

FAO all trainees in HESW Severn

With effect from the 1st April 2014 trainees based in either University Hospitals Bristol Trust or North Bristol NHS Trust will apply for study leave through the Intrepid online system as usual but approval will now be undertaken via the medical education department in your post graduate centre. You will also claim expenses for approved study leave through the medical education department and they will be in touch with regards to the process for claiming your expenses in due course.

All other trainees will continue to access study leave funding via Health Education SW as in previous years. ALL trainees (including those at NBT and UHBT) should continue to log your application for study leave via the online Intrepid system.

Your head of school will be in contact shortly regarding your budget allocation for 2014/15.

 

Posted October 30th 2013 (10 years ago)

Developing Innovative Practice Document

We are very pleased and proud to announce that the Severn Postgraduate Medical Education Developing Innovative Practice document is now launched.

It has been created to showcase the excellent work across Severn and its postgraduate schools. We invite you to have a look at the ground-breaking and innovative work which we do.

Severn Postgraduate Medical Education has developed seven Core Values, which guide everything that we do and provides the framework for this document.

Please feel free to contact any of the staff responsible for this work, as we are always keen to network and share best practice.

Copies of the document may be obtained from Severn Postgraduate Medical Education or for convenience a pdf version is available to download.

Posted July 8th 2013 (10 years ago)

Celebrating Our People – 65 years of NHS workforce development

To mark the National Health Service’s 65th birthday, Health Education England has created an infographic highlighting some key milestones in training, education and workforce development over the past 65 years.

For more details and to download it, please visit the Health Education England website

 

Posted May 20th 2013 (10 years ago)

Agents for change 2013

Sent on behalf of Agents for Change.  This is an initiative to encourage trainees to improve the National Health Service. It is a collaboration between NHS England and BMJ, but many others contribute to its success.

Join us at BMA House on Friday 28 June for Agents for Change 2013 -​ the only national conference for junior doctors on improving patient safety and the quality of healthcare.

This year's theme is Speak, Act, Lead. We have exciting workshops, inspiring speeches, an online programme and a way to publish your own project - for you to become an Agent for Change. It is aimed at junior doctors to help them do quality improvement in their own workplaces. Robert Francis, Sir Bruce Keogh and Fiona Godlee will be among the speakers.

 

Posted May 13th 2013 (10 years ago)

National Medical Director’s Clinical Fellow Scheme

National Medical Director’s Clinical Fellow Scheme – open to doctors in training

Applications are now open for the National Medical Director’s Clinical Fellow Scheme. The scheme is an exciting and unique opportunity for doctors in training to gain skills in leadership, management and health policy. Participants spend a year full time, learning by doing, in an extensive range of host organisations, including NICE, NHS Commissioning Board, GMC, BUPA and Medical Royal Colleges. Based on the current fellows’ experiences, the broad portfolio of potential work ranges from organising ministerial seminars to coordinating the national viral outbreak response strategy. This work is complemented by extensive training opportunities and the peer support offered by being part of a cohort with other junior doctors. Clinical Fellows have the chance to work alongside influential leaders and meet key players in healthcare from the NHS and beyond. The scheme has acted as a launch-pad for further careers in medical management, clinical leadership, public health and policy. Secondment ensures that existing terms and conditions are maintained and the posts are paid a clinical salary with banding. This year there will be placements across England, including a number of opportunities in the north of the country. For more information please visit:

www.fmlm.ac.uk/clinical-fellow-scheme

Applications close on 24 May 2013 and will be followed by a shortlisting process, with interviews on 4 June 2013.

Posted April 17th 2013 (10 years ago)

Revalidation – Designated Body for Trainees

With the reorganisation of the NHS that happened at the start of April 2013, Medical Training has become the responsibility of Health Education England (HEE). Regionally, HEE is represented by Local Education and Training Boards (LETBs).

We have one LETB in the South West, Health Education South West (HESW) and the Severn and South West Peninsula Deaneries are part of this new structure.

At the moment the GMC would like Health Education South West to be the designated body for Revalidation for trainees, taking over this function for both Deaneries.

Each Postgraduate Dean, Professor Davinder Sandhu and Professor Martin Beaman, will alternate in the role of Responsible Officer, and Martin Beaman will be in this role first.

Despite this apparent change in the organisation of the Revalidation Process, Severn Trainees will continue to be managed byt the Severn Deanery and the Severn Revalidation Team, and likewise in the Peninsula.

Queries may be received by either Deanery but will be diverted if appropriate.

Posted March 20th 2013 (10 years ago)

National Training Survey 2013

The national training survey 2013: what do you think about your training?

The annual national training survey launches on the 26 March 2013. As a doctor in training, this is your chance to have your say on the training you receive.

The survey results help deaneries, local education and training boards and local education providers to recognise the aspects of the training they deliver that are working well, and to take action where the results indicate a need for improvement.

Dr Muj Husain is an ST5 in psychiatry and currently a clinical fellow at the GMC:

"The national training survey is a really useful tool for identifying problems and finding out where things are going well. As a doctor in training I’ve used the survey results to draw attention to areas for improvement and to help target our work locally on improving training. The results are also an extremely valuable component of the GMC’s work to monitor the quality of postgraduate and foundation training in the UK. "

The survey is easy to complete – it should take you no more than 20 minutes. Log in to your GMC Online account after 26 March and your survey will be waiting for you. Please respond to the survey by 8 May 2013 to make sure your views count.

The survey provides us with a unique chance to understand, reflect and improve the way we train. It is important that we hear the views of all trainees so that we have as accurate a picture of the training we provide as possible.

Visit gmc-uk to find out more.

 

Posted February 28th 2013 (10 years ago)

£100,000 Funding Available for Trainee Projects

Medical training has undergone huge changes over the past decade. We have seen the implementation of the European Working Time Directive, the advent of Modernising Medical Careers and the creation of the Foundation Programme. The profound effects of these reforms have been considered and analysed by a number of key enquires. Professor Sir John Temple led a review of the impact of new working time legislation on training and produced the Time for Training report. This made 33 recommendations of how training could be improved within the boundaries of a 48 hour working week. Health Education England have distilled these recommendations in to common themes and identified three that are relevant to the role that trainees play in their own training:

  • Training must be planned and focussed for the trainees’ needs
  • Training requires a change from traditional perceptions of learning which recognises the modern NHS
  • Trainees must be involved in the decision making and implementation of training innovations that affect their present and future careers

The challenge is for us as trainees to seize this opportunity to come up with solutions that allow us to make training work better for us. We are ideally positioned to see where things could be improved, but can lack the senior support, financial backing or voice to be able to affect these changes. Health Education England has put forward £100,000 to change this. It is working with the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges to identify a number of trainee-led projects in England that meet the challenge set out in Professor Temple’s recommendations.

There are no limits about what the project could be like, as long as you can show how it would positively change training by addressing the recommendations. Ideas could look at trainee representation, mentoring, portfolios, career planning, mobile apps, educational websites, e-learning…whatever you feel would improve the experience of being a trainee. Projects must have the potential to have a national impact and need to be sustainable, even when the original trainees move on.

As well as the money, HEE and the Academy will also help you to identify the appropriate support for your project, be that from Deaneries or the Colleges, IT know-how or media assistance.

For more info and for an application form, please contact the Better Training, Better Care team or 020 8433 6862. Alternatively please visit:

www.hee.nhs.uk/work-programmes/btbc/role-of-trainee

Applications close 12 noon Tuesday 2 April 2013.

Good luck

Dr. Howard Ryland

Clinical Fellow

Posted February 26th 2013 (10 years ago)

GMC Survey 2013

Dear Colleagues,

For the last four years, the Severn Deanery has topped the national league in having the highest response rate for the GMC trainee survey, which is a tremendous record and one that we can be very proud of. The results of this survey form a vital part of the quality management processes in the Deanery - visits, reporting, quality panels, the risk register and work to improve posts within Trusts and Schools. This also forms feedback for the Trusts and the individual programmes. We need the highest response rate we can get again this year to have reliable and valid results. This will also allow us in particular to analyse results from smaller specialties.

This year the survey is open for six weeks from 26th March 2013 until 8th May 2013. I am therefore asking for your concerted help to attempt to achieve the highest response rates possible within the live period again this year for all Trusts, Schools (including Primary Care) and the Deanery. Could you please give your support to the Quality team at the Deanery who are coordinating this on all our behalf.

If there are any queries, please do not hesitate to contact Allegra Etheridge.

With many thanks,

Best wishes,

Professor Davinder P S Sandhu

 

Posted February 21st 2013 (10 years ago)

National Medical Director’s Clinical Fellow Scheme - Open to doctors in training

Applications are now open for the National Medical Director’s Clinical Fellow Scheme. The scheme is an exciting and unique opportunity for doctors in training to gain skills in leadership, management and health policy.

Participants spend a year full time, learning by doing, in an extensive range of host organisations, including NICE, NHS Commissioning Board, GMC, BUPA and Medical Royal Colleges. Based on the current fellows’ experiences, the broad portfolio of potential work ranges from organising ministerial seminars to coordinating the national viral outbreak response strategy. This work is complemented by extensive training opportunities and the peer support offered by being part of a cohort with other junior doctors.

Clinical Fellows have the chance to work alongside influential leaders and meet key players in healthcare from the NHS and beyond. The scheme has acted as a launch-pad for further careers in medical management, clinical leadership, public health and policy. Secondment ensures that existing terms and conditions are maintained and the posts are paid a clinical salary with banding.

This year there will be placements across England, including a number of opportunities in the north of the country. For more information please visit: http://www.fmlm.ac.uk/clinical-fellow-scheme

Applications close on 11th March 2013 and will be followed by a shortlisting process, with interviews on 15th and 16th April.

Posted January 8th 2013 (10 years ago)

Central Inter Deanery Transfer Process

From April 2013 a new UK Inter Deanery Transfer process is expected to be launched, administered by London Deanery Provider Support on behalf of Health Education England.
 
The national process will contain the following features, aimed at delivering a consistent and fair transfer system:

  • A single application via a IDT portal of application
  • Two windows per year, in April and October
  • A national eligibility criteria
  • A single communication channel
  • An enquiries service for those interested in transferring


Discussions are still taking place around some of the finer details of the new process and these should be concluded very early in the new year. Following this, full details of the process, including dates, eligibility requirements and how to make an application will be published.

There will not be an intermediary window for transfers between December 2012 and March 2013. Those wishing to make an application for an IDT will be able to do so from April 2013. Any Doctors and Dentists in Post Graduate Training who have recently submitted a request for an IDT to their Post Graduate Dean, will be required to resubmit an application in April 2013.

Posted January 2nd 2013 (10 years ago)

Time limiting of CCT applications

As you may be aware the Postgraduate Board has approved the introduction of a limit on timeframes within which a doctor is able to apply for a CCT / CP. The limit will be 12 months from the doctors expected end of training date, and will be effective from 31 March 2013.

http://www.gmc-uk.org/SGPC___CCT_flyer___DC3249.pdf_50700429.pdf

From 31 March 2013 all doctors will have a maximum of 12 months to apply for their Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) or specialist and GP registration through the Combined Programme (CP) route.

What does that mean for me?

If you’re eligible to apply before 31 March 2013, you have until 31 March 2014 to apply.

If you’re eligible to apply after 31 March 2013, you have 12 months from your expected end of training date to apply.

What happens if I don’t apply in time?

You will only be eligible to apply for entry to the specialist or GP register through the equivalence routes of CESR or CEGPR.n You’ll no longer be eligible for a CCT or specialist and GP registration through CP.

Need more help?

You can find more information on our website at www.gmc-uk.org/cctchanges/.

 

 

Posted December 7th 2012 (10 years ago)

How to Support Trainees – Advanced Skills Workshops

Senior Faculty members of the Deanery are expected to manage and deal with trainees who are referred on from Educational Supervisors because either the issues involved are potentially quite serious or the supervisors feel unable to handle the trainee themselves. The Deanery recognises that DMEs, Heads of School and Training Programme Directors have a special and sometimes difficult role in seeing trainees who need specific support or deft handling due to the complex or challenging nature of their situation or state. Although the Educational Supervisor half day workshop ‘How To Support Trainees’ considers this it does not explore issues in great depth nor does it enhance or develop skills due to time constraints. This day will explore in detail how to start the conversation and interaction when trainees have sensitive or difficult issues, consider how to explore such situations with trainees whilst being clear about standards and expectations and explore ways of moving on such situations towards successful resolutions. The day is being designed by Edgecumbe Consulting Group and will be delivered by Jenny King, Megan Joffe and Alan Cook, along with actors from Interact. It will include focused inputs, case discussions and practical skills development. 

Overall aim of day 

To enhance abilities in dealing with trainees who need support and are referred on from Educational Supervisors and others

Specific objectives

  •  To learn how to diagnose a trainees needs and situational factors when referred at Level 2
  • To develop skills in reframing and motivational questioning and explore other useful skills
  • To clarify practice about documentation
  • To explore how to assess levels of insight and explore how personality and self-assessment play into this
  • To review how to decide on the right strategy and approach for each individual seen depending on the significant variables in play

The workshop will be a full day from 09.30-17.00, further details will be available closer to the event. The dates we are running the workshop are:

  • Thursday 17th January 2013
  • Monday 11th March 2013 

Both workshops will take place at Engineers House, Clifton, Bristol. BS8 3NB

If you are available and would like to attend please do let me know.

Best Wishes

Anne Elliott | Medical Education Development Manager | Severn Deanery | Vantage Office Park | Old Gloucester Road, Hambrook | Bristol, BS16 1GW |  

Tel: 01454 252624

Posted December 5th 2012 (11 years ago)

The Shape of Training review

The Shape of Training review – call for ideas and evidence now open

We have now launched the Shape of Training call for ideas and evidence, which is just one of several activities which we will be using to gather evidence. These also include UK seminars, oral evidence sessions, surveys, discussion groups and more.

The Shape of Training review 2012-2013

This review has been set up to understand and plan for the future of postgraduate medical education and training.  It is an independent review, jointly sponsored by:

Direction and themes

Professor David Greenaway, Vice-Chancellor of Nottingham University, was appointed in March this year to lead the review. In the first instance he brought together an Expert Advisory Group (EAG), to help determine the content and direction for this work. This group comprises medical training, patient and employers experts as well as expertise from outside the health sector. With their help, Professor Greenaway has identified the following key themes for discussion:

  • Patient needs
  • The balance of the medical workforce
  • Flexibility in training
  • The breadth and scope of training
  • The tension between training and service provision

Evidence for the review will be gathered from a mix of stakeholders. Their views will be gathered via a combination of written and oral submissions, research evidence, site visits, surveys, discussion groups and events.

Next steps

A call for ideas and evidence is now live and will continue until 8 February 2013. We have planned five seminars for those involved with medical education, which will take place in all four countries, between now and January.  Site visits in locations across the UK have already begun with the first of these in Northern Ireland in October.

Find out more about the review at the independent Shape of Training website at:   http://www.shapeoftraining.co.uk/

Please cascade this to your members and partners for their websites

I hope you find this useful and that as sponsors we can together raise the profile and drive interest in this important work. Please contact us directly at shapeoftraining@gmc-uk.org with any questions or comments about this.

Posted December 4th 2012 (11 years ago)

Time Out of Training

GMC position statement - November 2012

Purpose of this document

To provide clear guidance to Postgraduate Deaneries, Medical Royal Colleges/Faculties and trainees on the management of absences from training and their affect on a trainee’s Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) date

( Where CCT is referenced this also refers to Certificate of Eligibility for Specialist/GP Registration via the combined programme route CESR/CEGPR (CP) )

To supersede all references to time out of training (also known as exceptional leave) that are in existing curricula.

Who is covered by the revised requirements?

All Postgraduate trainees in GMC approved training, including fixed term posts such as locum appointments for training or Fixed Term Training Appointments are covered by this position statement. It is not dependent on the trainee working towards a CCT. This position statement does not cover Foundation trainees who are covered by a separate statement for provisionally registered doctors and also the UK Foundation Programme Reference Guide 2012.

Background

Prior to the Postgraduate Medical and Education Training Board (PMETB) being set up in 2005, curricula were time based with each specialty defining the length of time that a trainee needed to spend in the specialty before they were eligible to be awarded a Certificate of Completion of Specialist Training (CCST - the certificate prior to the introduction of the CCT). Individual Colleges had different rules for the amount of time that a trainee could spend out of training without it affecting their CCT date.

PMETB introduced a move to competency based curricula underpinned by indicative timeframes. All curricula became competency based by 2010.

In parallel to the curriculum changes trainees’ hours of work have reduced with the implementation of working time regulations.

Individual College rules around time out of training were in many cases not altered to reflect the move to competency based training and the changes to working hours.

The current legal position

Sections 34J and 34K of the Medical Act outline the minimum training times for general practice and specialist training respectively and section 34L outlines that in order for the GMC to be able to award a CCT it must be satisfied that the individual has satisfactorily completed the approved course of training. This allows the GMC to determine the arrangements for certification.

Issues

Absence from training, other than for study or annual leave, may have an impact on a doctor’s ability to demonstrate competence and the satisfactory completion of the curriculum and assessment system to enable them to be awardeda CCT.

Absence is being treated differently across specialties and deaneries and there is a need to ensure fairness whilst recognising the different indicative lengths of each curriculum.

Historical allowances have not been updated to reflect the move to competency based curricula or shorter working hours.

Consultation with key interests

All stakeholder groups have been consulted, Deaneries, the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, Colleges/Faculties and junior doctors groups.

Position

The General Medical Council has determined that within each 12 month period where a trainee has been absent for a total of 14 days or more (when a trainee would normally be at work), this will trigger a review of whether the trainee needs to have their CCT date extended.

The administration of the absence and any extension to training will be undertaken by the relevant deanery in consultation with the relevant College/Faculty where necessary. The GMC support deaneries implementing this guidance flexibly to reflect the nature of the absence, the timing and the affect of the absence on the individuals’ competence. Examples of this flexibility are outlined in the FAQs. The GMC also support the use of targeted training to assist trainees in demonstrating the curriculum competencies without the need for an extension to training.

Equality

The absence includes all forms of absence such as sickness, maternity, compassionate paid/unpaid leave etc other than study or annual leave or prospectively approved Out of Programme Training/ research.

This statement is concerned with the effect of absence on a doctor’s ability to satisfactorily demonstrate the competency requirements of the relevant curriculum. It is not concerned with the doctor’s position as an employee and does not affect the doctor’s right to annual, sick, maternity, compassionate or other leave.

It is noted that this policy may have a disproportionate affect on those who have a single maternity absence within their training as previously they would have been given (for some curricula) one block of three months exceptional leave. The GMC have noted however, in all circumstances a trainee is required to demonstrate the necessary competencies of the curriculum and this would have been the case whether the three month exceptional leave had been granted or not.

The flexible approach outlined in paragraph 14 will enable each trainee’s circumstances to be considered on an individual basis and that any changes to CCT date will reflect the trainee’s demonstration of competence.

Implementation

Implementation date 1 April 2013

  • Existing “exceptional leave” provisions in individual curricula are no longer acceptable
  • Curriculum change submissions to reflect this statement
  • ARCPs undertaken after this date that are assessing a full year period from 1 April 2013 to include the review of absence.

Not withstanding this implementation date, trainees are required to demonstrate the curriculum competency requirements.

Frequently asked questions

Colleges/Deaneries

Q: Will Colleges need to amend their curricula to remove any reference to time out of training?

A: Yes, for any changes submitted to the GMC from 1 April 2013.

Q: Will Deaneries and Colleges need to amend their websites

A: Yes, it is important that it is clear to trainees that extended absences are likely to lead to an amendment of their CCT date.

Trainees

Q: I have been given three months “exceptional” leave for a period of maternity leave that I took last year. Will my CCT date have to be extended given this new guidance?

A: Where a trainee has already been granted absence under the previous guidance this will not be retrospectively removed. However each trainee is required to demonstrate the curriculum competencies and this may therefore require targeted training or an extension to training in order to enable the trainee to demonstrate the curriculum competencies.

Q: If I am absent for more than 14 days (when I would normally be at work) will my CCT date automatically be amended?

A: The deanery will review each case of absence of 14 days or more in a single year and look at various factors:-

  • timing of the absence - is it early in training or in the final months of the programme, is it immediately after a period of annual leave
  • history of absence – has the trainee had periods of absence repeatedly
  • nature of the absence – has the trainee been able to continue to participate in some elements of the training such as reading, online study etc.
  • nature of the training that has been missed
  • performance and assessments

The deanery will then consider whether the trainee has been able to demonstrate the curriculum competencies for the ARCP level, whether any deficiencies could be addressed through a period of targeted training or whether training needs to be extended. The deanery may wish to postpone this decision dependent on the following year’s performance, that is, to give the trainee the opportunity to achieve the competency through targeted training.

Q: How will the GMC ensure that deaneries implement this requirement fairly and consistently?

A: The GMC will monitor extensions to training via the review of ARCP data.

Q: How will the deanery know about my absence?

A: it is each individuals trainees responsibility under good medical practice to be honest and open and act with integrity and as such, to ensure that the deanery are aware of their absences through the deanery reporting requirements.

Q: Will the Out of Programme (OOPT/OOPR) process still exist?

A: Yes, this position statement is for absences that fall out with study or annual leave and any prospectively approved Out of Programme Training or Research. The existing OOPE process as defined in the Gold Guide is not affected by this statement

Q: What do the GMC mean by “normally at work”?

A: A doctor’s pattern of work will vary, with absences being blocks or weekends.Where a trainee is absent during their scheduled time away from work (work includes study leave) then this does not get counted within the period of absence.

For less than full time workers where they are absent during their scheduled non working time this does not count towards the period of absence.

Scheduled time away from work for full time or less than full time trainees cannot be amended to avoid counting absent time.

Posted December 4th 2012 (11 years ago)

Moving to the Current Curriculum - November 2012

GMC position statement - November 2012

This document sets out the General Medical Council’s (GMC) requirements for trainees who are working towards a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) to transfer to the most recent GMC approved curriculum.

( Where CCT is referred to this also includes Certificate of Eligibility for Specialist or GP Registration through the combined programme route CESR(CP)/CEGPR(CP) )

Following calls for a review of the position, the GMC concluded that the current arrangements (under which trainees in some specialties remain on the same version of the curriculum throughout their training even where it has been superseded) are unsatisfactory; in the interests of patient safety and educational quality, trainees in all specialties should transfer to the most recent curriculum and assessment system.

In effect this will mean that at any one time there will only be a maximum of two approved curriculum per specialty, the “old” one in which only those trainees in their final year of training will remain and the “current” curriculum. This will mean that trainees will be trained and assessed against the most recent standards for the specialty.

Who is covered by the revised requirements?

The revised requirements are relevant to those involved in the organisation, delivery and receipt of postgraduate medical education and training in the UK and those trainees who are in GMC approved postgraduate training programmes leading towards a CCT whose CCT date falls within the implementation plan.

Background

Prior to the formation of the Postgraduate Medical and Education Training Board (PMETB) in September 2005 there was no single set of standards against which curricula were developed. PMETB introduced a set of standards and an approval process and approved curricula for all the specialties in 2007. At that time therefore there were two groups of trainees, those on pre 2007 curricula and those on the 2007 curricula. Many of the curricula were in the early stages of development and it was acknowledged that the assessment systems, in particular,required development in order to fulfil the published standards. PMETB undertook a review of all curricula in 2010 and approved amendments.

The GMC adopted the standards for curriculum and assessment systems defined by PMETB and continues to consider changes submitted by Colleges and Faculties against these standards. This has meant that for virtually all of the 65 approved specialties (the exceptions being those specialties which have only recently been established) there are currently three or four approved curricula and assessments systems that trainees are following

  • pre 2007
  • 2007
  • 2010 and
  • post 2010

The current legal position

The Medical Act stipulates the standards which the GMC are required to set and maintain in relation to specialty training and the award of a CCT. To illustrate, the following provisions are relevant:

Section 34H says…

(1) The General Council shall-
(a) establish standards of, and requirements relating to, postgraduate medical education and training, including those necessary for the award of a CCT in general practice and in each recognised specialty;
(b) secure the maintenance of the standards and requirements established under paragraph (a);

And

(2)(b) to ensure that the needs of employers and those engaging the services of general practitioners and specialists within the UK health services are met by the standards the General Council establish under subsection (1)(a).

(4) The standards and requirements established under subsection (1)(a) shall include -
(b) the training curricula to be followed in general practice and in each recognised specialty;
(c) the assessment arrangements for persons undertaking education and training in general practice and specialist medical practice;practice or specialist medical practice;

Section 34L(1) says… the Registrar shall award a certificate of completion of training (CCT) to any person who applies to the General Council for that purpose if -
(b) the Registrar is satisfied that that person has been appointed to, and has satisfactorily completed, a course of training leading to the award of a CCT;

In setting and securing the standards and ensuring the needs of employers are met (34H(1)), and the Registrar’s responsibility to award a CCT to those who have completed an entire course of training leading to the award of a CCT, it would seem entirely reasonable to require that a trainee is up-to-date with the expectations of the relevant specialty current at the time the application is made for a CCT. Patients, and the NHS, would rightly expect nothing less.

Issues

There is general agreement, including amongst organisations representing the interests of trainees, that the current position is unsatisfactory for several reasons:

  • Where updated curricula reflect patient safety issues, the needs of service, changing technologies and national legislative changes it would be unacceptable for the GMC to award a CCT to a trainee that had not fulfilled these requirements.
  • It is important that all trainees awarded a CCT in the relevant specialty are equally up to speed, knowledgeable and competent – and assessed as such.
  • Colleges/Faculties are submitting change requests on an almost annual basis. With training programmes ranging from three to eight years in duration and the fact that there is an increasing number of trainees working less than full time, if the move to current curricula is not implemented there could be in excess of 10 approved curricula in use at one time.
  • Frequent changes to curricula are unsettling for trainees and difficult for trainers to manage.
  • Deaneries have been required to manage and deliver as many as three or four different curricula with their matching assessment systems at the same time. We have had reported to us that this has caused confusion for trainees and trainers.
  • Colleges/Faculties have also submitted changes to their assessment systems both in respect of work place based assessments and examinations. There is potential for confusion amongst those undertaking the assessments having to use different systems for different trainees under their supervision. In addition if trainees leave the programme without an understanding of the current assessment tools this may cause difficulties for future post CCT roles where the individuals become the assessors.
  • A number of Colleges/Faculties use eportfolios, and having different curricula and assessment systems being followed at the same time, has the potential for confusion and technical difficulties.

The implementation of the position statement needs to ensure that the general principle of transfer to the current curriculum is observed, with those in their last year of training not being affected. Therefore transition plans are to follow the following key points

  • The plan must be implemented for all trainees as appropriate for the timescales within the implementation plan.
  • For “steady state” the plan should demonstrate completion of transition within two years of the approval of the new curriculum, but may be earlier.
  • Implementation is expected to begin from approval – i.e. it does not need to await the next recruitment round.
  • The administrative burden for trainees and deaneries should be kept to a minimum.

Consultation with key interests

We have consulted widely across the sector, including the UK health departments, NHS Employers, trainee bodies, the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges and individual colleges/Faculties and postgraduate deaneries. There has been general support from all stakeholders.

Implementation

This document together with the attached FAQs provides guidance to:

  • Colleges/Faculties and Postgraduate Deans on what is required from them to transfer existing trainees to the most up to date curriculum
  • Colleges/Faculties on what they need to do when they propose curriculum and/or assessment system changes.

A number of Colleges have previously approved implementation plans that were submitted as part of their curriculum changes. These have been widely published and are clear to trainees. It has been reported to the GMC that these transition arrangements will be complete by the end of December 2015. Subject to all trainees being transferred to the current curriculum by 1 January 2016 these existing plans remain approved.

The implementation plan is outlined below

by 31 March 2013

  • Any College/Faculty submissions for curriculum or assessment system changes to include
    • mapping from existing curriculum
    • implementation plan for the transition to the proposed new curriculum
    • consultation with trainees and deaneries on the implementation plan 

by 31 December 2013

  • Colleges/Faculties to produce (in liaison with their Lead Dean and trainees) for each of their curricula, a map showing the transfer of competencies from each of the “old” curriculum to their current curriculum. Including details of any impact, for example number of trainees, additional training resources required.

Between 1 January 2014 and By 31 December 2015

  • Postgraduate Deaneries move trainees to the current curriculum at the point that they move from one year to another within the programme (usually at the trainees ARCP).
  • The deadline of 31 December 2015 is the latest point at which all trainees will be required to have moved. Where Colleges in consultation with Deaneries are able to move trainees earlier this is encouraged by the GMC.

1 January 2016 (or earlier if trainees moved earlier)

  • GMC decommission “old” curriculum and assessment systems for each specialty and sub specialty and also decommission “old” programme approvals.

Frequently asked questions

Q: How will Colleges/Faculties map “old” to “current” curricula?

A: Colleges will need to consider

  • what areas of the curriculum have changed (been added/ removed/increased/ decreased/ altered)
  • what assessments have changed
  • when looking at the above, what additional resources or adaptations to existing programmes will be required to enable trainees to fulfil these changes?

Step 1: Colleges map changes from old to current curriculum – broken down into each year of training and outlining if in a later year what needs to be gone back upon in the earlier years.

Step 2: Colleges send to deaneries to consider the implementation plan for each of their trainees

Step 3: Deaneries at the next ARCP agree the changes and any targeted training to cover new/missed competencies and whether training needs to be extended

Step 4: Colleges report on progress in their annual specialty reports, Deaneries report on progress in their annual deanery reports.

Q: Will the College need to look at every trainee to ascertain where they slot into the current curriculum?

A: No. In order to ensure the administrative burden on Colleges, Deaneries and trainees is as low as possible, the mapping will outline at each year (so one map per year of the curriculum) of the curriculum where competencies will be transferred and this will be confirmed at the trainee’s next ARCP meeting, with a trainee’s programme being adapted as appropriate.

Q: Will there be guidance for Deaneries on the implementation?

A: As part of the mapping Colleges will be asked to provide guidance for programme directors and heads of school, but they would not be looking at individual trainees situations.

Examinations and assessments

Q: If I am in a training programme and the examination has changed will I need to retake it when I have already passed it?

A: No. However if the examination amendments have included examination in “new” areas of the curriculum then the College will define within its mapping whether additional evidence is required such as targeted workplace based assessments.

Q: I have passed part of the old exam – will this count towards the new exam?

A: Part of the College submission for any amendments to their curriculum and assessment systems will include discussion with trainees on the implementation and timings of changes and will outline whether parts of the exams will contribute towards the new exam. For existing curricula and assessment systems the mapping provided by the College will show how the “old” examination maps to the “current” one.

Q: I am in uncoupled training and have passed the old membership/fellowship examination but have not yet entered ST3 training. Will I need to take the new exam as well?

A: The examination is one part of the curriculum and assessment system for your specialty. The mapping produced by the College will outline what elements of the “current” curriculum you have already achieved and will indicate what assessments you need to complete. The Colleges will take into consideration the agreed position in relation to currency of examinations.

Q: If a new examination is introduced will I need to take it?

A: As part of the submission for the change of the assessment system the College will submit outlines of how existing trainees will move onto the new curriculum, this will include consultations with trainees to ensure that the timeframes are suitable and appropriate (falling within the maximum of a two year transition). For example if an examination is introduced in a trainee’s final year of training then it would not be reasonable to require a trainee to pass this new examination. However trainees may wish to take the examination for future employment opportunities.

Q: There is a new WPBA being introduced, will I need to go back and have all my old assessments completed against this new WPBA?

A: No – there will be an introduction date and it will be from that date that trainees will need to be assessed using the new WPBA. A number of trainees may also have been part of pilots prior to the formal introduction. It is important that the transition does not place an overly burdensome administrative process on all those involved or that trainees are required to demonstrate competencies they have already demonstrated.

Q: In my specialty the current curriculum requires trainees to record their progress/assessment using an e-portfolio – will I need to use it?

A: Where Colleges require trainees to use specific assessment or progress recording systems such as eportfolios then, yes you will need to use these, however you will not be required to retrospectively gather data. Colleges will provide guidance on the transfer of existing information.

Exemptions from transfer

Q: I am in my grace period after my expected CCT date – will I have to transfer?

A: No, however you must apply for your CCT within six months of your CCT date.

Q: I am in my last year of training – will I have to transfer?

A: the implementation plan will outline the timing of transfers to the current curriculum. These will be individual for each specialty. For clarity No trainee (including any less than full time or those out of programme) may remain in an “old” curriculum from 1 January 2016, subject to those trainees that fall into the category outlined in 24Q.

Q: Will I have an option to transfer even if I fall outside the requirement to transfer?

A: All trainees will be encouraged to transfer to the current curriculum so as to ensure that they will be fully up to date with current requirements for their specialty to ensure patient safety. Trainees should also be aware that not completing the current curriculum may have a detrimental affect on their employment opportunities.

Q: I am looking at becoming a less than full time trainee and this would extend my CCT date beyond January 2016 – will I have to transfer?

A: Yes.

Out of Programme

Q: I am currently in research – what will happen to me?

A: The current curriculum may not have the same recognition for research as the “old” one and so your training requirements will be considered on an individual basis. If you are in a programme and on an Out of Programme for Research (OOPR) then your transfer will not wait until your return to the programme. If you are not in a programme then you will apply in the usual way to the curriculum in place at the point of your application.

Q: I am currently in an Out of Programme Experience approved for training – what will happen to me?

A: You will be transferred to the current curriculum in the same way as other trainees at your ARCP (this will not wait until your return to the programme).

Q: My forthcoming Out of Programme Experience has been approved based on the “old” curriculum, what does this mean for me?

A: You will be transferred to the current curriculum in the same way as other trainees at your ARCP (this will not wait until your return to the programme if the ARCP is earlier). You may be required to undergo targeted WPBAs to ensure that you fulfil the requirements of the “current” curriculum.

Q: I am on maternity leave – what will happen to me?

A: As part of your ARCP you will be transferred to the current curriculum in the same way as other trainees.

Curricula competencies

Q: A change to the curriculum has been made in the early years of the programme that I have already completed (i.e. in ST3 and I am in ST5), will I have to go back and do this training?

A: The Colleges will map the “old” curriculum to the current one. Where the achievement of these earlier competencies can be demonstrated via later WPBAs or examinations then they will not need to be repeated. It should be noted however that some curricula are spiral in nature and earlier competencies are needed to underpin later ones and therefore you may need to have targeted training to support the achievement of the curriculum requirements. Other curriculum changes have been made to answer employer requirements and trainees may want to demonstrate these competencies for their future employment prospects.

Q: I am an advanced or higher trainee. Will I be affected by changes in Core training?

A: No, unless these changes are necessary to underpin later competencies in the curriculum. See question 18 above. Colleges will detail this in their mapping of the “old” to the current curriculum.

Q: The new curriculum stipulates a specific requirement which will be difficult to achieve at my current stage of training. What should I do?

A: Your postgraduate dean and training programme director will work with you to deliver the training that you require to complete the requirements of the current curriculum. Every effort will be made to do this via targeted training rather than an extension to training.

Q: The new curriculum is longer – does this mean that my CCT date will be extended?

A: All curricula are competency based and therefore it will be necessary as part of the Colleges’ submissions for changes to indicate whether there will need to be an extension to training time in order to enable trainees to demonstrate the competency levels. Every effort will be made to do this via targeted training rather than an extension to training.

Performance

Q: I have an outcome 3 or RITA E – where will I transfer?

A: You will transfer into the current curriculum at the point when you were last considered to have satisfactorily completed training. The transfer will not give you additional opportunities for training extensions.

Q: I have already had the maximum extension to training permitted in the gold guide, what will happen to me if the transfer requires an extension to my training?

A: Every effort will be made to enable trainees to achieve additional requirements via targeted training. If however an extension to training is required this will not count within the maximum extension to training period defined in the gold guide.

Q: My expected CCT date has been extended to June 2016 as I have not been able to demonstrate the required competencies. I did not originally have to transfer, will I now have to do so?

A: Where an extension is for six months then you are not required to transfer but if the extension is for more than six months then you will need to transfer. As outlined above - All trainees will be encouraged to transfer to the current curriculum so as to ensure that they will be fully up to date with current requirements for their specialty to ensure patient safety.

Future changes

Q: How will I know if there is a change planned to the curriculum?

A: any changes proposed by Colleges to the GMC are required to include input from trainees/trainee organisations (as well as Deaneries) particularly in relation to the transition plans and implementation timetable. It is important therefore that you maintain contact with your College throughout your training so that you are aware of developments.

Guidance

Q: Where can I find guidance on how to use the “current” curriculum and /or assessments?

A: Guidance on the current curriculum can be found on your College website.

Q: The “current” curriculum has new competencies, where can I find guidance on how to achieve these?

A: In the first instance please discuss any queries you have with your supervisor. Any changes to curricula and assessment systems are cascaded by the Collegesthrough the College and Deanery networks of trainers.

Posted November 6th 2012 (11 years ago)

UBHT Mbarara Link Programme, Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, South West Uganda visit 18th August - 7th September 2012

A team of consultant and trainees from the School of O&G and Anaesthesia recently visited the Mbarara University Hospital in South West Uganda this year – read their report and view the photos on the Mabrara 2012 page.

For those interested in a applying to participate in a future trip an email will be sent some time in 2013 for applications

Posted October 19th 2012 (11 years ago)

Research project looking at cross border healthcare in Europe

For All trainees and qualified doctors

The GMC is part of the Advisory Board of the European Cross Border Collaboration Project (ECAB), which is a research project looking at cross border healthcare in Europe. The project is coordinated by London School of Economics and aims to make a contribution to helping citizens make informed decisions about whether to seek health care in another European country.

Part of this research includes a comparison of specialities across six European countries (Belgium, Greece, the UK, Spain, Hungary, Slovenia, Germany), which aims to draw conclusions on the diversity or/and heterogeneity of the scope of practice across Europe through semi-structured interviews.

The research team are looking for doctors working in the UK in the following specialties to participate in this study:

  • Cardiology
  • Orthopaedics
  • Obstetrics and Gynaecology
  • General Practice

Participation is voluntary and would involve an interview lasting approximately 40 minutes, which will either take place in person (if in/near London) or via Skype (if further afield), ideally within the next month.

If you are able to participate in this study, please email Helena Legido-Quigley 

Sent on behalf of Associates Team | GMC

Posted October 16th 2012 (11 years ago)

The Fetal Medicine Foundation

The Fetal Medicine Foundation is a charitable organisation at the forefront of research, education and training in fetal medicine. It is supported by The Fetal Medicine Centre and by private donations.   We understand registration is free and there is a wealth of on line education courses which are free of charge and appropriate for healthcare professionals

Posted September 28th 2012 (11 years ago)

Social Media Guidance

Using social media: practical and ethical guidance for doctors and medical students

The popularity of social media has grown rapidly in recent years. There is widespread use of sites such as Facebook and Twitter amongst medical students and doctors and there are a growing number of well-established blogs and internet forums that are aimed specifically at medical professionals, such as doctors.net.uk and the BMJ’s doc2doc.

While many medical professionals use social media without encountering any difficulties, media interest and research into examples of unprofessional behaviour online have raised concerns that some doctors and medical students may be unknowingly exposing themselves to risk in the way they are using these ‘web 2.0’ applications and uploading personal material onto the internet. Although medical professionals should be free to take advantage of the many personal and professional benefits that social media can offer, it is important that they are aware of the potential risks involved.

This guidance (Using social media: practical and ethical guidance for doctors and medical students) provides practical and ethical advice on the different issues that doctors and medical students may encounter when using social media.

Posted September 25th 2012 (11 years ago)

Psychosexual Medicine

The Institute of Psychosexual Medicine offers training to doctors in the treatment of sexual problems and of psychosomatic disorders affecting the reproductive system.  Read more

Posted August 14th 2012 (11 years ago)

The Shape of Training Review

About the review

The Shape of Training Review is looking at potential reforms to the structure of postgraduate medical education and training across the UK.

The review’s aim is to make sure we

  • continue to train effective doctors who are fit to practise in the UK
  • provide high quality and safe care and
  • meet the needs of patients and service now and in the future.

What the review will focus on

Five themes have been identified which the review will focus on.

  • Workforce needs – specialists or generalists?
  • The breadth and scope of training
  • The needs of the health service
  • The needs of the patient
  • Flexibility of training

The review is the latest step on a journey to ensure UK medical education and training can support and respond to society’s needs in the best possible way.

Posted April 10th 2012 (11 years ago)

GMC Trainees' Survey

Log on to GMC online after 30th April to complete your survey; the survey closes on 15th June. 

Please go to the GMC website to find out more.

Posted March 14th 2012 (11 years ago)

NHS Medical Director's Clinical Fellow Scheme

The NHS Medical Director's Clinical Fellow Scheme is open to application from doctors in training. In the past three years we have had two Severn trainees, Brett Rocos and Robert Bethune, obtain these sought-after positions. If interested, you can obtain further information from: http://www.fmlm.ac.uk/clinical-fellow-scheme

The closing date for application is 22nd March 2012 and the post starts on 3rd September 2012.

Posted December 6th 2011 (12 years ago)

RCOG President Presents Severn Awards

RCOG President Dr Tony Falconer presented the 2011 Obstetric and Gynaecology trainee awards on Thursday 20 October 2011. 24 trainees and 11 trainers gathered at the Clifton Club in Bristol for the 2011 School Awards ceremony. For further information about the event please see our webpage under the About Us section.

Posted December 6th 2011 (12 years ago)

Bristol Medico-Chirurgical Society Programme

The Bristol Medico-Chirurgical Society was established in 1874 for the advancement of the Art and Science of Medicine in all its branches. It has a long and rich tradition of encouraging the exchange of facts and fellowship between disparate members of the medical community. Each year the Society plays host to presentations and debates on topics of medical and allied interest to the annual theme chosen by the Society's President. Guest speakers are invited to talk on a wide variety of subjects.

Meetings are held at 6.45pm on the second Wednesday from October usually until July with an option for a reception and supper followed by a presentation at 8.15pm.

These lectures are suitable for trainees and faculty and would contribute to the Professional and Generic Skills programme that all colleagues undertake in their role as a doctor. The Severn Deanery supports this programme and would encourage all colleagues to attend.

For more details and the programme please visit the Bristol Med-Chi website.

 

Posted December 6th 2011 (12 years ago)

Applications Invited for Trainee Doctors Advisory Board

Applications are invited for new appointees to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency's, Trainee Doctors Advisory Board (TRAB) we are also looking for a medical student representative for the board, applications are therefore invited from students within 2 years of final qualification and junior doctors from all clinical specialities. This group was developed to encouraging doctors in training to become involved with the MHRA to represent the opinions and needs of junior doctors, promote an understanding of the regulation of Medicines and Medical Devices in the UK, and promote the dissemination of information regarding the Agency

The remit of this group is as follows:

  1. Raise and discuss individual ideas to promote the safe use of medical devices and medicines.
  2. Promote an understanding of the Medical Devices and Medicines Regulations.
  3. Cultivate an understanding of the functions and working of the MHRA.
  4. Promote a commitment to, and understanding of, the necessity for medical device adverse incident reporting and Yellow Card reporting.
  5. Promote information and knowledge on the rational use of medicines and devices.
  6. Promote the dissemination of MHRA’s publications and information.
  7. Provide an opinion on MHRA’s publications and information, including content, presentation, format, delivery and necessity.
  8. Provide assistance and guidance on how to ensure the above are carried out to greatest effect. This may be through lecturing, organising conferences, disseminating information, or developing networks with other junior doctor societies as necessary.
  9. Provide the Agency with an insight of their needs, and the needs of all healthcare professionals they work with.
  10. Provide input into arrangements for conferences and other outreach activities.
  11. Consider the wider picture, including interactions with all Royal Colleges, professional bodies, hospital management and other relevant bodies.

The TRAB group meets twice a year and members are expected to contribute to various initiatives throughout the year.

How to apply

Interested applicants should forward a copy of their CV and a covering letter to TRAB@mhra.gsi.gov.uk

Closing date

31 January 2012

If you have any questions or require further information please email TRAB@mhra.gsi.gov.uk

Medicines and Healthcare
Regulatory Agency

Website

Device Safety Website

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