College News - June 2010Tickets now on sale for Sibbald Librarian, Honorary Librarian and College Historian Edinburgh Festival Fringe EventThe Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh's Library contains one of Scotland's great collections of books and manuscripts. Following on from the success of 2009's 'Enlightenment Evidence', discover how alchemy, anatomy, and Ardnamurchan are linked as three experts from the College explore their favourites from the Sibbald Library and show how ink on paper has been used to transfer medical knowledge. Among the featured items will be a wonderful early anatomy book by Vesalius and the mysterious alchemical Ripley Scroll. Held in the College's stunning 18th-century reception rooms Report on meeting to increase availability of PET radiotracers in UKThe early phase PET report distributed several months ago identified the limited availability of experimental radiotracers as a barrier for PET research in the UK. In February 2010 the NCRI PET Research Network (PRN) held a workshop in London involving representatives from key academic sites, independent sector radiopharmaceutical companies and regulators, to discuss and evaluate different radiotracer production and distribution models, and ascertain whether they could be used to increase the range and geographical availability of radiotracers for research in the UK. The meeting was organised by the early phase workstream (led by Prof Fiona Gilbert & supported by Dr Ian Fleming) and the trials network & technology development workstream (led by Prof Paul Marsden & supported by Lucy Pike). Further information on the PRN and PET research in the UK can be accessed via the PRN website (www.ncri-pet.org.uk). RCPE update on examinations taken outwith approved training programmesA meeting took place on 17 June 2010 between the GMC and the Colleges to discuss the potential implications of the recent GMC interpretation of the Medical Act regarding the contribution of exams taken out of programme (OOP) to attainment of a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT). Attendees included Mr John Black, President of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, Prof Dinesh Bhugra, Dean, Royal College of Psychiatrists and Vice Chair of the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges (AoMRC) and Dr Neil Dewhurst, President of the RCPE and Chair of the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges (AoMRC) Assessment Committee. Following this meeting, the GMC has issued a statement to Trainees. Responding to this statement, Dr Neil Dewhurst, President, RCPE, said, “We had a constructive meeting with the GMC during which we advised them that on the basis of a series of snapshot surveys conducted by the Colleges, over 40% of Trainees may have taken one or more parts of their examinations out of programme and could potentially be adversely affected by the GMC’s earlier interpretation of the Medical Act. I am encouraged that the GMC has now published their latest legal opinion which clearly states - “In summary… examinations and assessments taken outside an approved training course programme may lawfully be considered towards the award of a CCT. The critical requirement is that the GMC is satisfied that a CCT applicant has demonstrated the necessary competence by passing an approved examination.” “Further discussion will be required between the GMC and the Colleges over the summer in an attempt to resolve this situation and the College will work constructively towards ensuring that Trainees who have taken exams out of programme are not adversely affected and discriminated against”. The RCPE Trainees & Members’ Committee conducted a snapshot survey of its Members in advance of yesterday’s meeting in order to quantify how many Trainees may be affected. Based upon this snapshot, 42% of RCPE Trainees had taken one or more parts of the MRCP(UK) OOP. The main reasons for sitting exams OOP included:
Access the GMC Statement, 18 June 2010 JRCPTB Statement on Training FeesThe JRCPTB has issued a statement in response to Trainees' concerns about the increase in training fees. Responding to this statement, Dr Kerri Baker, Chair, RCPE Trainees & Members' Committee, said, "We have made repeated representation of our Trainees' concerns to JRCPTB since the increase in fees was first announced. In the main, we were concerned by the lack of consultation on the unprecedented level of increase and that Trainees who have never had access to the ePortfolio should not be financially disadvantaged through the blanket application of an ePortfolio usage charge to all Trainees. We welcome the commitment that the Trainees' Committees of the Royal Colleges of Physicians will, in future, be consulted on both JRCPTB and MRCP(UK) fees increases and that SpRs will now be exempted from paying for their non-use of the ePortfolio. Senior StRs also using paper-based portfolios (i.e. no ePortfolio access) should contact the JRCPTB to request the same financial concession" JRCPTB Vacancy - Chair of the Sport and Exercise Specialist Advisory Committee (SAC)Specialist Advisory Committees (SAC) are sub-committees of the Joint Royal Colleges of Physicians Training Board (JRCPTB). The role of the SAC is to contribute to the development of specialist training policy as it affects the specialty in question, and to supervise the delivery of specialist training to standards set by the JRCPTB in a number of key areas. These include curricula development (including assessment), the Quality Management of specialist training (together with Deaneries) and production of an Annual Specialty Report for the GMC. The JRCPTB invites applications to the position of Chair of the SAC in Sport and Exercise Medicine. Military and Civilian Health Partnership Awards 2010Fellows and Members may be interested in this award scheme which is open to military and civilian healthcare professionals either in the NHS, its partners, the Ministry of Defence or private organisations who provide care to the armed forces. Delay in Implementation of JRCPTB Fees IncreaseJRCPTB has advised that the increase in training fees will not be implemented until 11 June 2010, due to IT problems. This will allow Trainees additional time to complete their enrolment.
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