Trainees and Members’ Committee

Membership: pre- and post MRCP(UK) Female doctor with Training diagram. ©www.istockphoto.com/TommL

JRCPTB Fee Announcement 2013

The Joint Royal Colleges of Physicians’ Training Board has today announced the revised training fees which will come into effect on 1 August 2013. These new fees will apply to new trainees as well as those currently in training who pay via Collegiate Membership.

The annual fee with effect from 1st August 2013 via Collegiate Membership will be:

  • Specialty Registrars (StRs), CMT trainees, LATs and FTSTAs: £169 per year, including access to the ePortfolio
  • Specialist Registrars (SpRs) following pre-2007 curricula: £149 per year, without access to the ePortfolio

The one-off single payment fees will be: 

  • StRs: £845
  • CMT trainees: £338

Further details

RCPE Trainees & Members’ Committee (T&MC) Response to Shape of Training Review

The Shape of Training review is expected to fundamentally change the structure of medical training in the UK. Key points highlighted in the T&MC response include –

  • the Review presents a significant opportunity to start to address some of the inter-related problems which exist in medicine in the UK and which previous, narrower, Inquiry Reports have unfortunately failed to resolve. In earlier recognition of these issues the RCPE T&MC published the Charter for Medical Training in 2011 which provides a practical foundation for ensuring that both doctors' training and patient safety can be improved. We believe the Charter for Medical Training provides a firm and ready-made basis for cross-specialty adoption and its key recommendations should be integrated within the output of the Review.
  • patient safety and the continued provision of high quality care must be central to the review; continuity of patient care and of training are of paramount importance;
  • CCT/CESR is fit for purpose and is an international benchmark of competence and ability for independent practice as a consultant; postgraduate training however is life-long;
  • the introduction of a sub-consultant grade would be detrimental and is opposed; the consultant model ensures the highest standards of safe and effective patient care, is what patients choose and ensures that medicine remains an attractive career; similarly the terms “trained doctor” and “stand-alone practitioner” cannot be supported;
  • flexibility in training encompassing LTFT training and movement between specialties with recognition of previous experience is crucial;
  • the aging population and increasing co-morbidity require an expansion in the number of generalists; it does not follow that the number of specialists should be reduced as most specialties already operate beyond capacity; robust data must remain central to workforce planning;
  • generalism must not be seen as a "stepping off" point in medical training and cannot be completed in a shorter time frame than already exists in postgraduate medical training;
  • consideration should be given to training for all doctors in medicine for the elderly and general practice within their early postgraduate careers; and
  • consideration should also be given to the extension of Core training with further consideration of a return to six-month core general medical and surgical placements in F1;
  • it is difficult to separate training from the medical workforce as a whole; in particular senior doctors must be able to lead on training and service organisation requiring sufficient time and resource within job plans; and
  • any changes to the current system of medical training must be phased to avoid destabilisation of the medical workforce and compromise of patient care

Read the full RCPE Trainees & Members’ Committee response

The RCPE has also submitted a further response

Access full RCPE response

DoH Response to Independent Reports on Distinction Awards and Junior Doctor Contracts

The Department of Health has today published its response to the Doctors and Dentists’ Review Board report on distinction awards and the NHS Employers’ report on Junior Doctor Contracts.

Key recommendations accepted by the Department of Health include –

Consultant Contracts and Distinction Awards

  • Rewards for clinical excellence should be linked to performance including patient feedback;
  • Rewards for clinical excellence should be capped nationally at £40,000 and locally at £35,000;
  • Awards should be awarded for no more than five years nationally and normally one year locally;
  • A new “principal consultant” grade should be introduced, paid between £100,000 to £120,000, to reward very senior and outstanding doctors (capped at 10 per cent of consultants across the country);
  • Progression through the current consultant grade (£74,000 to £100,000) should be based on performance and contribution rather than time served; and
  • Awards should also continue to recognise excellence in medical education, teaching and research.

Junior Doctor Contract

The Junior Doctor contract will be renegotiated nationally to provide –

  • More flexible working patterns and better training;
  • A single contract for trainees so that all trainees have the same fair conditions, regardless of whether they are training as a hospital doctor, GP specialty trainee or dental trainee; and
  • More support for doctors’ work/life balance, including recommending that changes are made so that junior doctors are given more notice before they need to move cities or areas for their training rotations.

Further information

Faculty of Medical Leadership & Management: Trainee Steering Group

The Faculty of Medical Leadership & Management, of which the RCPE is a founding member, is seeking to recruit trainees on to its Trainee Steering Group.

ePortfolio Reference Group

JRCPTB is establishing a new group to improve the influence of trainees, trainers and local administrators on the ePortfolio.

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. The Review Team has 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/

MRCP(UK) and SCE Fees 2013

After much deliberation, the MRCP(UK) management board has agreed to restrain the next annual increase in fees for the MRCP(UK) Diploma examinations to a level that is in line with inflation and to freeze the fees for the Specialty Certificate Examinations (SCEs).

MRCP(UK) guidance on time of taking examinations

Medical students and Foundation Doctors may be interested to learn that MRCP(UK) has produced some useful guidance on when candidates should make their first attempts at each part of the MRCP(UK) examination. This is particularly important now that successful completion of MRCP(UK) is a mandatory requirement for entry into ST3 in the UK. The guidance also summarises pass rates based upon different times of sitting the exam.

RCPL Survey of CCT Holders: Consultants facing hostile job market in a cash-strapped NHS

The fourth annual survey of holders of the certificate of completion of training (CCT, the final qualification for specialist training allowing junior doctors to apply for consultant posts) has been completed by the Royal College of Physicians of London. The survey, which covers the medical specialties in England, shows a hostile job market for consultants. Worrying findings include:

  • an increase in the average number of applications made and falling success rates for being offered consultant posts across all specialties
  • considerable variation between the medical specialties in success at getting consultant posts, with high unsuccessful application rates in some large specialties
  • increasing numbers of ‘post-CCT posts’ rather than full consultant jobs being advertised and accepted.

RCPE Trainees & Members’ Committee response to CfWI consultation on future consultant workforce

In its response to the CfWI consultation on ‘Shaping the Medical Workforce: Starting the Debate on the Future Consultant Workforce’ , the RCPE Trainees & Members’ Committee, which represents over 3000 medical trainees throughout Scotland and the UK, highlighted that -

  • while the situation cannot be ignored, patient safety and quality of care must be maintained;
  • medicine must remain an attractive career option with a reasonable expectation of job security and progression; and
  • the proposals must avoid the risk of undermining and devaluing the entire consultant grade which has strong public confidence and is widely recognised as the best model for safe, high quality patient care.

 In particular, the RCPE Trainees & Members’ Committee believes –

  • an increasing body of evidence shows that the consultant-present model, in which the consultant workforce would be expanded to a level to ensure that a consultant is available seven days a week, “ is the only scenario which ensures high quality, safe patient care”, would offer reasonable career opportunities for medical staff and provide the NHS with return on investment;
  • the scenario of a graded career structure, potentially the most contentious proposal, would “play a double dynamic by introducing a sub-consultant grade and decreasing the value of all consultant salaries”. In addition, it is believed that this may offer doctors no potential for progression and would “disenfranchise trainees and risk creating a demotivated consultant workforce which works to time and takes no additional roles or responsibilities.” The committee warns that this would also “almost certainly result in higher attrition rates with attendant loss of investment and experience”; and
  • there is a danger that the misleading terminology of a “trained doctor” is entering use, without question, and that doctors who have completed their training to become consultants will be forced into new, less well paid, positions with limited, if any, career prospects.  Similarly, the Committee is concerned that this term should not be confused with “specialty doctors” who are experienced, skilled and often under-valued members of the medical team but who have not undergone the intensive specialty training of those who have trained to become consultants. 

Access RCPE Trainees &Members’ Committee response to CfWI consultation

Health Bill: update

The College has been working, both in conjunction with other Colleges through the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges and Faculties of the UK and individually, to secure amendments to the Bill in relation to education and training. Fellows and Members may be interested in the latest update from the Academy regarding clarification of the Colleges’ concerns.

RCPE Statement on Health Bill

Recent weeks have seen extensive lobbying and criticism of the Bill from the Profession. Fellows and Members across the UK rightly continue to express their anxieties. Doctors are extremely concerned about the quality of care that can be offered by an NHS in England undergoing huge upheaval at a time of challenging cost constraints; in particular the continuing emphasis on competition, the potential for disintegration of care and the arrangements for public health and training are a real worry. Our Council discussed this again last week and believe there would be little gained at this stage by calling for the full withdrawal of the Bill; the energies of the College should be directed at the issues that continue to cause us real concern. Stability is crucial and the very functioning of the NHS in England is being compromised as current structures and teams are dismantled.  I do not underestimate the strength of feeling, but we must focus our efforts where patients and trainees are at greatest risk. Amendments tabled yesterday, along with explanatory notes, have now been published and we will scrutinise these closely as the Bill proceeds through the House of Lords.

Dr Neil Dewhurst
President

Comment on GMC National Training Survey 2011

The GMC’s National Training Survey 2011 has just been published.  While some improvements appear to have been made with regard to trainees’ experiences, several points of concern have been highlighted –

  • 38% of Foundation trainees report being expected to cope with problems beyond their clinical competency;
  • 59% of Foundation trainees received no training time protected from service demands;
  • 74.8% of Medical trainees reported working more than their rostered hours;
  • 39.2% of trainees ( 41% of specialty trainees) still report having to plug gaps in rotas;
  • 37% of trainees feel that their training needs are not being met under the 48-hour week;
  • 30% of Trainees nationally report continuing difficulties in obtaining study leave; and
  • 47% of Trainees reported that they were not able to access study leave budgets to cover all of their training requirements

GMC National Training Survey

Dr Kerri Baker, Chair, RCPE Trainees & Members’ Committee, said,

“The RCPE highlighted concerns about a number of these areas earlier this year in our Charter for Medical Training and, in particular the need for protected training time to ensure that trainees are adequately trained by the end of their training and that patient safety is not compromised. The results of this survey show that there are still significant operational problems within the NHS arising from the implementation of the EWTR and in an insufficient number of doctors to staff rotas safely. We will continue to advocate for protected training time on trainees’ and patients’ behalf.”

RCPE Charter for Medical Training

Academy Trainee Doctors' Group: national themed roles

The Academy Trainee Doctors' group, with whom the RCPE Trainees & Members' Committee works closely, is seeking to recruit Trainees to undertake a number of co-opted roles covering the areas of Education, Specialty Training, and Leadership, Management and Representation.

GMC Statement on Less Than Full Time Training

Following a review, the General Medical Council (GMC) has decided that a minimum time requirement for Less Than Full Time training should be re-established and that, with immediate effect, trainees will be required to undertake no less than 50% of full time training.

For the small number of trainees who experience exceptional difficulties, it has been agreed that postgraduate deans should have flexibility to reduce the time requirement further. The absolute minimum would be 20% of full-time training, with an expectation that trainees should not undertake a placement at this level for more than 12 months.

Major Changes to the 2009 CMT Curriculum

Please note that major changes have been made to the 2009 CMT curriculum including that passing MRCP Part 1 by the end of CT1 is desirable. The changes have been made by the JRCPTB following a period of implementation and feedback from the medical community in order to reflect the current needs of trainers, trainees and the service.

The changes to the curriculum are -

  • MRCP(UK) Part 1 is in the month 11 ARCP decision aid.  Failure to gain Part 1 at this point should normally lead to an ARCP outcome 2
  • Outpatient clinics - a minimum of 24 in the 2 year programme
  • The practical procedures have been modified
  • Introduction of an annualised pass mark to the PACES examination

These changes in more detail and further information on the 2009 curriculum can be viewed on the JRCPTB website.

ATDG Position Statement on the Principles to Guide Postgraduate Medical Education

The Academy Trainee Doctors' Group (ATDG) has produced a position statement on the principles to guide postgraduate medical education. This statement builds on and reinforces the recently published RCPE Charter for Medical Training.

European School of Internal Medicine, 4 - 10 September 2011 University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton

The European School of Internal Medicine (ESIM) offers Specialist Registrars and ST3s or above a unique opportunity to meet their peers from around Europe and beyond.  Applications should be returned to c.gray@rcpe.ac.uk by Monday 18 July at the latest.

For the preliminary programme please see here and for further details please see http://www.esim2011.org/.

Outcome of GMC consultation on professional examinations (17 May 2011)

Members may be interested to learn that the GMC has recently published the outcome of its consultation on National Professional Examinations.

The main findings were –

  • To extend the current flexibility on accepting examination passes for a CCT to 31 October 2013 (allowing examinations taken out of programme to continue to contribute to CCT)
  • The GMC has asked the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges to lead discussions with the Royal Colleges, Postgraduate Deaneries, trainees, patients, public and NHS representatives with a view to achieving agreement by 31 December 2011 in respect of agreeing a uniform approach to the currency, time and number of attempts at professional medical exams

Access the Outcomes of the Consultation

Dr Kerri Baker, Chair, RCPE, Trainees & Members’ Committee, said,

“We are pleased that the GMC has proposed to extend the current flexibility of accepting examination passes for CMT. This will be welcomed by Trainees who have taken, or are about to take, examinations out of programme. However, we are disappointed that a more permanent decision has been deferred and thus urge the GMC to give greater certainty to Trainees in order to inform future examination planning by reaching an early decision re the position beyond 2013. We will also engage closely with the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges to seek to ensure that Medical Trainees undertaking MRCP(UK) will not be disadvantaged by the GMC’s desire to achieve future uniformity in approaches to professional examinations between Colleges.”

A Framework for the Professional Development of Postgraduate Medical Supervisors

Fellows and Members may be interested in this document which provides guidance on the time in job plans that should be available for education and clinical supervision.

RCPE Calls for Protected Training Time for Trainees

The RCPE has today published its manifesto for the Scottish Parliamentary elections and in an unprecedented step has issued a warning that Scotland is in danger of creating a generation of inadequately trained doctors and, in turn, potentially compromising patient safety unless urgent action is taken by the incoming Scottish Government.

To rectify this situation that RCPE and our Trainees & Members’ Committee has called for protected training time for Trainees and Trainers to be introduced.

This has attracted extensive national media interest in Scotland surrounding this important issue. (links to sample articles below).

JRCPTB Update, March 2011

Communications

Communications with the JRCPTB continue to improve significantly and all expectations from our meeting last year have now been met. We are very pleased to have the opportunity at each JRCPTB meeting to raise specific issues highlighted by trainees. We are also pleased to announce the development of two documents produced by the JRCPTB to guide trainees on workplace-based assessments (WPBA) and the work of the JRCPTB (the latter to be published shortly). A full review of WPBA is currently underway with strong trainee representation.

Implementation of the 2010 specialty curricula

Implementation of the new 2010 specialty curricula has gone smoothly. Currently trainees up to ST5 on the 2007 version of their specialty curriculum have the opportunity to choose to move onto the new 2010 curriculum.

Discussions are ongoing as to whether trainees on pre 2003 and 2003 specialty curricula may also be given this opportunity.

ePortfolio: performance issues

A report has now been produced on the performance issues of the ePortfolio and guidance on how to prevent problems in 2011. We would, however, encourage trainees to continue to report any problems directly to the JRCPTB at ePortfolioteam@jrcptb.org.uk This allows common issues to be raised directly with NHS Education Scotland (the provider of the ePortfolio).

Refunds for overpaid JRCPTB fees

We would like to remind and advise trainees who think they may have overpaid JRCPTB fees that they have until 1st June 2011 to apply for a refund.

SAS representation on JRCPTB

JRCPTB has agreed with our suggestion that there should be SAS representation at JRCPTB meetings. If any NCCG/SAS trainee is interested in adopting this valuable role please contact drkerribaker@gmail.com

Acquisition of MRCP(UK) by CMT trainees

The JRCPTB are working hard with the MRCP(UK) Examinations Board to help identify ways to support acquisition of MRCP(UK) for core medical trainees. This includes proposals to improve the delay to release of exams results and lengthening the diet of each part of the examination to increase time available to sit the exam.

JRCPTB fee announcement 2011

18 February 2011

JRCPTB has announced that the fees for CMT and Specialty Training will rise by 3.1% from 1 April 2011 in line with inflation.

Update on Specialty Recruitment (England)

14 February 2011

CMT

The application window for CMT closed on 20 December 2010, with 2,475 applications received. Of candidates found to be eligible, 99.8% were invited to interview, with 92.0% invited to interview at their first-choice deanery preference. Interviews are taking place from 25 January - 18 February 2011.

Feedback received on the application stage of the process has been extremely positive so far, with satisfaction rates of over 90% across different aspects of the process.

ST3

Since the previous update, the specialty of clinical pharmacology and therapeutics (CPT) has elected to join the 2011 coordinated recruitment process. This now takes the number of specialties participating up to 12.

Applications for 2011 posts will be accepted from 4-23 March 2011, via the online application system. This website will be relaunched within the coming weeks with an improved structure to allow improved navigation.

Update on taking exams out of programme

8 February 2011

Following discussion regarding timing of examinations, the GMC stated that "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". Unfortunately guidance is still unclear and, through the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, we continue to urge the GMC to make a prompt decision and communicate this to trainees to allow trainees to plan for their immediate and long-term careers.

Refunds on overpaid JRCPTB fees: claim 1 before June 2011

8 February 2011

Trainees who are on one of the Collegiate Membership schemes should only make two payments at core and five payments at specialty training level. All trainees who believe they have paid more than this should complete the refund request form on the JRCPTB website and return it to enrolments@jrcptb.org.uk before 1st June 2011. After this deadline any applications for a refund must be received within three months of the date of payment.

RCPE Comment on Review of Foundation Training

5 November 2010

The Collins Review of Foundation Training has been published. The main recommendations are that the length of the Foundation Programme should remain unchanged at two years, but this should be reviewed in 2015 when the impact of the General Medical Council (GMC) recommendations in Tomorrow’s Doctors will be clearer, and that action should be taken to strengthen supervision for Trainees, many of whom have had to act beyond their level of competency.

Commenting on the Collins Review, Dr Neil Dewhurst, President of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh (RCPE), said,

“We welcome the findings of this review which we believe has made a number of important recommendations aimed at strengthening the quality of early medical training of doctors. In particular, we support the recommendations that the system for selection into training should be standardised, that supervision for Trainees should be strengthened and Trainers supported in providing such supervision.

“Perhaps most significantly, this Review has recognised the need to define the balance between service and educational needs. It is essential that, in addition to delivering patient care, Trainees receive protected time with which to complete their Training. Failure to do so could lead to a generation of inadequately trained doctors and, in turn, compromise patient safety. Such tensions between service and training requirements are likely to heighten as the impact of the European Working Time Regulations is fully realised and it is vital that this matter is adequately addressed.”

Update regarding discussions with JRCPTB on Trainee issues

30 July 2010

We are continuing to work hard with the JRCPTB to improve communications with Trainees. This follows on from the breakdown in communication surrounding the JRCPTB fees rise. We want to ensure similar issues do not happen in the future and, after a recent meeting with the JRCPTB, we have agreed the following action points with the JRCPTB.

  • Details of JRCPTB trainee fees will be communicated directly to the Trainee Committees each year with time for consideration and response prior to announcement to all trainees.
  • The JRCPTB will communicate to Trainees how their fees are used each year.
  • The JRCPTB are striving to improve data quality and management on enrolled Trainees and their payments.
  • An item on the JRCPTB board meetings will be developed for specific Trainee business. This will allow the Trainee Committees to highlight pertinent issues to the board.
  • The JRCPTB are considering our request for Non Consultant Career Grade (SAS) representation at JRCPTB board meetings.

We can also confirm that pre 2007 SpRs will not pay for £18 per year for the ePortfolio. The JRCPTB and Colleges are striving to update their records to reflect this as quickly as possible. 2007 to 2009 StRs will pay for the ePortfolio, but if at CCT they can show no use of the ePortfolio this fee will be fully refunded. Other important Trainee issues discussed at this meeting included the quality assurance of the ePortfolio, implementation of the 2010 specialty curricula and methods to support Foundation Year 2 doctors in all deaneries to commence MRCP. At present we feel positive and optimistic that we can continue to improve our lines of communication with the JRCPTB. We welcome input from trainees on individual and specific issues.

Dr Kerri Baker
Chair, RCPE Trainees & Members’ Committee

The Gold Guide 2010

16 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: update

12 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 programmes

18 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:

  • individuals in locum posts between training posts needing to obtain full MRCP to apply for NTN
  • non-UK graduates looking to have at least MRCP(UK) Part I to make their UK application competitive
  • maternity leave (taken between posts rather than approved OOP)
  • during travel & work abroad (especially Australia)
  • individuals in research and clinical fellow posts
  • military trainees stationed outwith the UK as part of their duties

Access the GMC Statement, 18 June 2010

JRCPTB Statement on Training Fees

14 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: update

8 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 Increase

1 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 INCREASE 

7 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: update

Trainees 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 Rise

The 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
 Specialist training: £765

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 CCT

Trainees 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 2010

From 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:

  • The way doctors are assessed for a CCT or a CESR/CEGPR
  • The standards and requirements underpinning the quality assurance and quality improvement of postgraduate medical education and training.

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 Trainees

The 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 Website

For 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 2010

The 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 Progress

The 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 2009

FULL MRCP(UK) A REQUIREMENT FOR CORE MEDICAL TRAINING ENTRANTS FROM AUGUST 2009

The 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 Pratice

The 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 publications

Report 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 Doctors

Added 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 Doctors

Trainees 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 available

The 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 Emergency

The 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).

 
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