Latest Training News
The Gold Guide 201016 July 2010 The Gold Guide 2010 (“A Reference Guide for Postgraduate Specialty Training in the UK “) has just been published. This provides guidance to Postgraduate Deans on the arrangements for specialty training in the UK. The new edition is a consolidation of earlier versions of the Gold Guide and applies to all trainees taking up appointments in specialty training which commence on or after August 2007. This edition replaces the first, second and third editions of the Gold Guide with immediate effect. Taking exams out of programme: update12 July 2010 Following discussion between the Colleges and the GMC, the GMC has decided that doctors who are already in specialty training or who enter by 31 October 2011 will be able to have any valid passes in previously approved national professional examinations counted towards a CCT, even if they were obtained outside approved training. By the end of October 2010, the GMC will issue guidance on recognition of examinations for doctors who may enter a CCT programme after 31 October 2011. Dr Kerri Baker, Chair, RCPE Trainees & Members’ Committee, said,“We have consistently advocated that attainment of MRCP(UK) is a valid demonstrator of competency, regardless of the timing of sitting, and believe that common sense has prevailed on this issue. Whilst this is very reassuring news for the large numbers of Trainees who would have been disadvantaged by the earlier ruling, we will have to work to ensure that those entering training after October 2011 are also not disadvantaged” RCPE update on examinations taken outwith approved training programmes18 June 2010 A 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 Fees14 June 2010 The 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" GMC ruling on examinations taken outside approved postgraduate training: update8 June 2010 Kerri Baker, Chair of the Trainees and Members' Committee said: 'The issue of the recent GMC statement regarding timing of examinations remains high on the agenda of the Trainees and Members' Committee. We are collecting data to support our belief that large numbers of trainees will be discriminated against unless this ruling is changed, with our survey issued last week returning a large number of responses from concerned individuals. Any trainees yet to complete the survey can access it here. 'The Trainees & Members' Committee will continue to lobby for a change in this law to allow individuals who complete an approved training programme to enter the Specialist Register via CCT regardless of whether their postgraduate exams were completed in or outwith a recognised training programme. 'The Colleges and the BMA are meeting with the GMC to discuss this issue and we hope to be in a position to update trainees shortly after - updates will be posted on this website and our Twitter page.' Delay in Implementation of JRCPTB Fees Increase1 June 2010 JRCPTB 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. IMPORTANT NOTICE: STATEMENT & ADVICE ON JRCPTB FEES INCREASE7 May 2010 Following the announcement of an
increase in JRCPTB training fees, the RCPE Trainees & Members'
Committee and the President of the RCPE have made the following statements. Examinations taken outside approved postgraduate training: updateTrainees and Members may be interested to read the latest statement from the GMC regarding the above. Dr Kerri Baker, Chair of the RCPE Trainees and Members' Committee, said, "The Trainees & Members' Committee will continue to lobby for a change in this law to allow individuals who complete an approved training programme to enter the Specialist Register via CCT regardless of whether their postgraduate exams were completed in or outwith programme". JRCPTB Training Fees to RiseThe Joint Royal Colleges of Physicians’ Training Board (JRCPTB) has reluctantly announced an increase in trainee registration fees. The bulk of this increase relates to an annual per capita fee for the use of the ePortfolio, which the provider, NHS Education Scotland, is unable to continue to provide free of charge to trainees. The remainder of the increase, the first since 2007, reflects the impact of financial pressures on the training budget including a reduction in Department of Health support for JRCPTB. The new fees for those wishing to pay a single payment for their specialist training will be as follows: Core medical training (CMT): £306 Trainees wishing to stagger payment of their fees, allied to Collegiate Membership of one of the Royal Colleges of Physicians of the UK, will pay £153 annually. The new fees will come into force on 1st June 2010. The JRCPTB will be focussing it’s CMT and Specialist Advisory Committees’ work on those areas which critically affect the future careers of those in training in the medical specialties. Added 26 April 2010 Contribution of MRCP(UK) to CCTTrainees may be aware that the GMC has recently published a note on its website stating that any examinations taken while not in an approved training post cannot contribute to the requirements needed to obtain a CCT and that Trainees doing so will need to apply for a CESR. The RCPE Trainees & Members’ Committee is deeply concerned by this statement and is working with the Academy Trainee Doctors’ Group (ATDG) to address this issue. The ATDG has now produced a statement on this issue and discussions between the Academy and GMC are ongoing. Dr Kerri Baker, Chair of the RCPE Trainees & Members' Committee, said, "We have been working closely with the ATDG in seeking to resolve this issue. We support the ATDG statement in full and are continuing to work to ensure that Trainees who have undertaken the MRCP(UK) examination out of programme, and in good faith, are not disadvantaged. We hope that common sense will prevail and we will update Trainees and Members as further information emerges” Added 14 April 2010 Merger of PMETB with the GMC - 1 April 2010From 1 April 2010 the General Medical Council (GMC) will be the single organisation responsible for the regulation of medical education and training in the UK. This follows a recommendation from Professor Sir John Tooke’s inquiry into ‘Modernising Medical Careers’ to deliver a more seamless and consistent approach to the regulation of medical education and training at all stages of a doctor’s career. However, there will be no substantive changes to:
Full details of the merger, including a Q&A document with advice for current trainees, can be found on the PMETB website. Added 19 March 2010 The Implications of EWTD for TraineesThe EWTD Reference Group have published "A guide to the implications of the European Working Time Directive for doctors in training" which aims to provide clarity around frequently asked questions posed by junior doctors in relation to EWTD and to signpost the best sources of information. Added 7 December 2009 Scottish Medical Training WebsiteFor information on Specialty and Foundation Training, the Gold Guide to postgraduate specialty training in the UK, the 2010 Complaints and Appeals process, Relocation policies, and general career management, please see the SMT website at www.scotmt.scot.nhs.uk. Added 1 December 2009 England & Wales: Recruitment into CMT Training 2010The Royal College of Physicians of London will again be co-ordinating the process of national recruitment to CMT in England & Wales for 2010 on behalf of the Joint Royal Colleges of Physicians' Training Board. The application form will be made 'live' from Friday 4th December 2009 at www.cmtrecruitment.org.uk. The deadline for applications is 12 midday on Friday 18th December 2009. An Applicants' Guide, which will guide applicants through the recruitment process from beginning to end, will also be available on the site Added 18 November 2009 PMETB Survey on Doctors' Post-certification ProgressThe PMETB has, today, published an interesting analysis by specialty of doctors' post-certification (including CCT and CESR) career outcomes. Added 9 November 2009 Important information for those trainees starting Core Medical Training from August 2009FULL MRCP(UK) A REQUIREMENT FOR CORE MEDICAL TRAINING ENTRANTS FROM AUGUST 2009The PMETB has recently approved the curriculum for General (Internal) Medicine (to be known as General Internal Medicine 2009 (GIM 2009)). Included in this is the curriculum for Core Medical Training (CMT), and importantly, the knowledge assessment for CMT has been confirmed to be acquisition of the full MRCP(UK) Diploma (or a recognised overseas equivalent). The new curriculum has been published and is available here. Doctors entering CMT from August 2009 will not be able to have confirmation of their CMT competences and to exit successfully from the programme until they have the full MRCP(UK). They may need to have further training to achieve this (after negotiation with Programme Directors and their Postgraduate Dean). Following on from this the, JRCPTB Board have accepted that from August 2011, possession of the full MRCP(UK) should become a mandatory requirement for ST3 entry into any of the medical (physicianly) specialties. Junior doctors are strongly advised to plan their attempts for MRCP(UK) in such a way that they can ensure completion of the diploma before they complete their CMT years. Regulations for MRCP(UK), including entry requirements, can be found at www.mrcpuk.org. If you have any questions about any part of the MRCP(UK) examination please contact the MRCP(UK) office via one of the following email addresses: Added 20 October 2009 UK Research Integrity Office Code of PraticeThe Code has been produced to support researchers and research organisations in the promotion of good practice in research and the conduct of research of the highest quality. The Code is applicable to all subject areas and draws upon existing good practice. It provides general principles and standards for good practice in research, applicable to both individual researchers and research organisations. The Code also includes a Recommended Checklist for Researchers: a one-page, non-technical checklist for the key points of good practice in research, based upon the more detailed standards provided by the Code Added 13 October 2009 Latest PMETB publicationsReport of the National Training Surveys 2008-2009 - combined analysis of this year’s training surveys, reflecting trainees’ and trainers’ perceptions of postgraduate medical education and training. The State of PMET 2009 - a collection of articles from a range of PMET commentators on their perceptions of life in the sector this year. Future Doctors - a statement on the future of postgraduate medical education and training - the culmination of PMETB's three year Future Doctors review Added 05 October 2009 Merger of PMETB with GMC: Merger Guide for DoctorsAdded 28 September 2009 Swine Flu: Critical Care Strategies (Scotland and UK)Trainees may be interested to read the critical care strategies for managing the H1N1 flu virus published by the Scottish Government and Department of Health. Added 14 September 2009 Common Competencies Framework for DoctorsTrainees may be interested to read the Common Competencies Framework for Doctors which is designed to be a reference document that outlines the basic and generic competencies required of a doctor without being specialty-specific. It has been devised by the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges’ Specialty Training Committee, with input from the RCPE Collegiate Members’ Committee, as a repository of information that may inform the development of specialty training curricula and also reflects the medical profession’s attitudes and beliefs with regard to the absolute common skills that should be acquired and maintained by every doctor. Added 31 August 2009 The ATDG Statement on credentialing is now availableThe ATDG Statement on credentialing is now available and the RCPE Collegiate Members Committee were active in the drafting and contribution of this statement. We hope it highlights the concerns of our collegiate members. Added 17 August 2009 PMETB Principle in Relation to Trainees & Training During Times of National EmergencyThe Postgraduate Medical Education Training Board (PMETB) has published the principle to be adhered to for Trainees whose periods of training may be interrupted if they are required to prioritise health service delivery ahead of training during times of national emergency (including pandemic flu). Added 24 July 2009 New e-notification service from PMETBPMETB have launched a new electronic update and notification service called PMETB-Engage to allow trainees, and others with an interest in postgraduate training, to receive relevant updates, including information on consultations and other participation opportunities. Added 17 April 2009 Round 2 Specialty Training Applications in England Brought ForwardThe MMC Programme Board, in discussion with the English Deans and Royal Colleges, has agreed to change the start date for the second round of recruitment to specialty training. Second round vacancies will now be advertised from 6 April where previously the date was 23 May. Further information is available on the MMC England website. Recruitment arrangements and timetables are different in the other UK countries. For details, check the other MMC websites: Added 06 April 2009 Increase in PMETB fees for CCT and CESRPMETB proposes, subject to parliamentary approval, to increase its certification fees by 3%, with effect from 1st April 2009. The new fees will apply to any CCT or CESR applications received by PMETB on or after this date. PMETB will accept CCT applications up to six months before an individual’s expected completion of CCT programme date. Added 13 March 2009 PMETB Chair interviewed by junior doctorTrainee psychiatrist Dr Ollie White recently interviewed PMETB Chair Professor Stuart Macpherson for a podcast. Added 13 March 2009 PMETB National Stakeholder ConferenceHighlights from the 2008 conference are available as a video on the PMETB website Added 13 March 2009 Foundation TrainingAdded 05 January 2009 Application process for CMT Training in England 2009 now availableAdded 04 December 2008
Archived Changes in UK Training items are available here.
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