The Deanery team are frequently asked lots of questions including (but not limited to!) CCT dates, ARCPs, OOP, acceleration so we wanted to share some “myth busting’ facts with you to try and relieve any anxieties and minimise email traffic generally.

Rotation planning
1. We always ask what a doctor in training (DiT) would like for their next rotation as we really believe that you should be encouraged to mould your career as a paediatrician to your skills, interests, and future plans. We try our absolute hardest to accommodate these wishes, but it is not always possible because:
   a. You may need to complete a specific rotation for your training to meet the curriculum competencies.
   b. Another DiT needs to do that rotation due to their training needs (e.g., sub-specialty, previously known as GRID, must take priority when allocating rotations).
   c. Balancing the staffing needs for all units across the region. We cannot fill one unit and leave another empty. This would be unfair, unsafe and would lead to the rotation being questioned by the Associate Dean (AD) who would ask for changes to be made.

2. We would love to give you a 12-month rotation, but this has pit falls. Due to people going OOP (see below) whether for research, parental leave, sickness, or other valid reasons, you risk then leaving one unit very under-staffed. If you then move one DiT to fill a gap, the whole Rubik’s cube unravels ... sometimes it is easier to do this than others depending on where you are in your training or if you have specific needs.

3. It would be extremely helpful if you return the preferencing forms by the deadline. We too have a timeline to meet, and unfortunately if you miss the deadline to return your forms, we are unable to consider your request for specific placements.

4. If you have a change in circumstance or feel that you would qualify for consideration of OOP less than 6 months prior to the rotation start due to exceptional circumstances, please email your TPD to discuss this. We have and will continue to support trainees who have required a last-minute change of post.

5. A CCT date can only be moved within an ARCP panel. If you are requesting to accelerate a CCT date, we need an AD present on the panel, otherwise an ARCP panel can move CCT dates e.g. as a result due to all types of OOPs, incorrect Maths etc.

LTFT training
Lots of doctors choose to train less than full time for a variety of valid reasons. Recently we have seen a trend in people training at 80%, but assuming they can progress at 100%. It is worth noting that 80% means 80%, particularly with Progress Plus. Those on LTFT (including 80%) are no longer automatically eligible to progress at 100% and would need to request acceleration prior to their ARCPs, which would then be decided by the panel. The final decision on whether a trainee is granted acceleration is made by the Associate Dean who must be present at the ARCP.

DiTs can alter the percentage they train at. However, it is worth remembering:
  1. We require 16 weeks’ notice before the start date of the rotation during which you wish to go LTFT (rather than the date you wish to start your LTFT training). Requests need to be signed by your ES and TPD before being forwarded to the LTFT team who will then seek the approval of an Associate Dean. The final decision rests with the AD.
 2. Applications may be considered outside of this time period for exceptional circumstances, but evidence of Medical HR (not the rota coordinator) approval will be required. It is the responsibility of the DiT to seek this. This is to ensure the Trust can absorb the financial implications and the rota has space to accommodate the DiT.
  3. We are not required to say yes if you ask to increase your percentage.
  4. You need to submit an application if you wish to become LTFT or to change percentage, including returning to full time training.
  5. LTFT Applications are now online so the TPD and ES cannot sign the form, but the DiT needs to have emailed their TPD & ES to discuss LTFT training. The Programme Manager will review the applications with the TPD (that way, the TPD has sight of the application even if the DiT does not seek permission first).
Link to application - https://wessex.hee.nhs.uk/trainee-information/trainee-journey/less-than-fulltime-training/ 

 Parental leave:
You will need to inform your ES, TPD, HR department within your current Trust and the Deanery team that you are going on parental leave. The Deanery team will need to know your last working day and approximately how long you plan to take off. We recognise that timing of parental leave is not always exact, particularly for the partner who may be taking time off after the baby has arrived.

For those that are taking the two weeks off after the baby is born, the Deanery do not need to know about it but they will need to declare this TOOT on the Form R and the specific time off is for discussion with the employing Trust. If this doctor intends to take more than approximately one month off, the Deanery team would need to be informed. We would like to refer you to our website regarding Return to Training. You will need to complete one form before you go on parental leave and one prior to returning. The forms can be downloaded from our website: https://wessex.hee.nhs.uk/trainee-information/trainee-journey/supported-return-totraining/ .

It is worth remembering that if you wish to return LTFT following parental leave, you must apply 16 weeks before the start of the new rotation, not when you wish to return. During your Parental Leave you will have a “Not Assessed” ARCP, where we only request a Form R via TIS Self Service, which you also need to upload to Kaizen. The accreditation team will email you nearer the time. Your Trust will be able to help you with working out what accrued annual leave you will have. Once you know this and your return date is confirmed, please email the Deanery team.

Rules around acceleration
Whilst the RCPCH talk about “competency” based training rather than time-based training, the ultimate decision to accelerate a DiT and move their Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) is a local decision made by the ARCP panel, in conjunction with an Associate Dean. Trainees need to demonstrate they are working at an exceptional level to be considered for acceleration. This is shown through evidence in their portfolio, MSFs and supervisor’s reports +/-CSAC report for sub-specialty.

It is highly unlikely that a trainee would be accelerated if they only complete the minimum required Written January 2024 WPBAs for their level of training. Evidence on ePortfolio needs to be robust, in-depth across multiple domains and from various sources. WPBAs and reflections need to be of a higher level and complexity than the trainee is currently working. Please note, DiTs will not routinely be allowed to move their CCT in their last year of training.

 Out of Programme
Wessex has always been extremely supportive of DiT stepping off the training pathway for other experiences. These include for research (“OOPR”), training (“OOPT”), experience (“OOPE”), career break (“OOPC”) or pause (OOPP). The important thing to remember is to discuss with your Educational Supervisor and Training Programme Director early (more than 6 months in advance) as things need planning.

To make it fair for everyone, the Deanery will not accept OOP applications less than 6 months prior to the planned OOP start date, unless there are exceptional circumstances. Remember:
1. Any OOP that you want to count towards your training has to be approved prospectively i.e., before you go.
2. DiT will not be allowed OOP in their final year of training except for exceptional reasons.
3. All requests are signed off by your TPD. Final approval is given by an Associate Dean.
4. You need to have an ARCP whilst you’re OOP.
5. We ask for your applications 6 months before you are due to start OOP.

Link to OOP application - https://wessex.hee.nhs.uk/trainee-information/trainee-journey/out-ofprogramme/ 

All evidence whilst on OOP will be considered at the next ARCP before the DiT is due to re-enter training. This includes completing the “reflection of work outside of training” document (https://wessex.hee.nhs.uk/accreditation-and-revalidation/arcp/) and regular (six monthly) ES and/or CS reports.

ARCPs
ARCP (Annual Review of Competence Progression) is the process whereby NHS England (formerly Health Education England) tell the GMC that you are a safe doctor, and that you are progressing as expected with the RCPCH curriculum. Key to this process is the Form R as this informs your revalidation process i.e., we tell the GMC that you are a safe doctor. When you are post-CCT, revalidation happens every 5 years and involves a lot of paperwork, including colleague multisource feedback and up to 50 anonymous patient/parent feedback reports. This is to allow your “Responsible Officer” (usually the Chief Medical Officer for the Trust you are employed by) to tell the GMC you are a safe practitioner. The Form R does this for you when you are in training. This is why it is so important.No form R= no revalidation= letters from the GMC.

 We plan to hold ARCPs 4 times a year. This is more flexible than a lot of other deaneries that only hold them twice a year. Every ARCP panel is chaired by the HoS or one of the TPDs. Other panel members are Consultants who have undergone appropriate training. An Associate Dean needs to be present if we need to move a CCT date, either due to acceleration requests or due to the trainee receiving any outcome other than 1,5, 6 or 0, or if there are other potential issues that require their expertise. Occasionally an external representative from the College may be present for quality control purposes.

10% of ARCP panels will have a Lay Advisor (a non-medical person) to ensure due process is being followed. The period assessed in an ARCP would be from the last ARCP to the date of the current ARCP, regardless of training period. An ARCP should be an unbiased process, which means the Panel go on what is in your portfolio- gone are the days of “I work with them, they’re really good it’s fine”. To this end, we ensure that none of trainee’s ES/CS for the period being assessed are part of the panel for that trainee’s ARCP. This is why we ask you to engage with the ePortfolio and upload evidence.

So, what do you need to do?

• Assessments as per the RCPCH assessment table 
  
• An Educational Supervisor Report for ARCP, uploaded at least 2 weeks before the date of your ARCP.
  
• Form R:this needs to be completed on TSS (Trainee Self Service) and needs to be uploaded to your ePortfolio in case there is no administrator available during the ARCP, otherwise the Panel will not be able to see the Form R. It would be helpful if this could be saved as “Form R [month and year of ARCP]” e.g. Form R July 2024.
  
• Evidence of linking to your portfolio learning outcomes for your level of training
  
•  Evidence of reflection
  

This needs to be done in a timely manner and well in advance of the date so that everything is ready, and the process goes smoothly. If you are having difficulty in accumulating any of the above evidence or in getting a completed ES/CS report, please approach your TPD for advice. We are here to help you achieve the best outcome from your training. No trainee should have to face difficulties in proving their learning.

What do the numbers for outcomes mean? Every Doctor in Training should know what outcome they are expecting from ARCP before it happens i.e., there should be no surprises! ARCP outcomes: 

• Outcome 1: Achieving progress and the development of competences at the expected rate.
  
• Outcome 2: Development of specific competences required – additional training time not required.
  
• Outcome 3: Inadequate progress by the trainee – additional training time required.
  
• Outcome 4: Released from training programme with or without specified competences.
  
• Outcome 5: Incomplete evidence presented – additional training time may be required.
  
• Outcome 6: Gained all the required competencies for completion of training.
  
• Outcome 0: Not assessed: This is given due to sick leave, out of programme or on parental leave.
  

​Outcomes 2,3 and 4 can not only affect your training, but could impact on you wanting to go OOP, apply for sub-specialty training (“GRID”) or apply for an inter-deanery transfer. We are trying to minimise the number of Outcome 5s we issue (as per national guidelines). An Outcome 5 is avoidable and with appropriate planning i.e., uploading appropriate documentation in advance, should not be necessary. Repeated failures to submit a Form R will result in an outcome 2. 

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Please see the PDF below for the latest E-Portfolio update. This includes:
- Curriculum coverage
- Supervisor reports
- Trainee and Trainer view updates

If there is anything else you'd like to see updated with Kaizen/ Risr, please let your committee or the RCPCH portfolio team know!

Chair & Wessex Regional RCPCH Trainee Rep: 

Jemma Shanley (ST6)
Hi, my name is Jemma and I have been elected as the Wessex regional trainee rep on the RCPCH trainee oversight committee since March 2023. I have been a trainee in Wessex since 2017, and I am currently working part-time. I love living in this part of the country, which feels slightly more tropical to me, coming from Ireland. Wessex is a great place to live and work. Prior to medicine, I worked as a clinical pharmacist in London, giving me many years of experience within the NHS, both as a trainee and as a manager. I am passionate about ensuring that every trainee receives the best possible experience throughout their training. Outside of work, I enjoy running, stand-up paddleboarding, and trying to keep up with my toddler. I am excited to be in this role and am looking forward to meeting and hearing from you all along the way. Please feel free to contact me or any of the team below if you have any questions.

 [email protected]

School Board Reps: 
Shreya Chugh (ST1-4 core rep)
Hi, I'm Shreya, a Paediatric ST4 trainee currently working at Southampton. I completed my foundation training in Wessex and developed a deep interest in Paediatrics and the training programme here, which made me stick around. As the ST1-3 rep on the committee, I am excited to hear your feedback on the level 1 training programme or if you just want to have a general chat. Outside of work, I enjoy dancing and I am learning salsa and Indian classical dance and also teaching Bollywood dance classes. I also love taking walks with my husband and dog.

[email protected]


Rio Hoggins (ST1-4) 
Hello, my name is Rio and I am one of the Paeds ST4s. I have been appointed as the new ST1-4 School Board Representative and will be working alongside Shreya as a point of contact for all Level 1 trainees. If you have any worries or concerns, please feel free to reach out to us, and we will be happy to assist you. Additionally, we will be providing feedback to the deanery about any training-related matters. In my spare time, I enjoy walking my dogs and visiting the beach, as I have always lived on the South Coast.

[email protected]


ST4-8: Lillie Parker
Hello everyone! I’m Lillie, one of the ST6s and the ST4-8 rep. I’m a Wessex PEM GRID trainee, having previously taken some OOPE time to volunteer overseas. I live in the New Forest with my husband and love anything to do with the sea especially sailing and SUPing. I’m also a keen baker and love a new baking challenge! I really want to hear from all the senior trainees in the region about ways to improve training and make our lives a little bit easier so please do get in touch for a chat or a cuppa and piece of cake.

[email protected]

Academic: vacant

Education Rep: 
Emma Lindell

Hi, I’m Emma, I’m an ST6 working LTFT (so I’ve been around a long time!) and I am very pleased to be working as your education rep! I am hoping to help you all maximise your study leave usage, as well as focusing on encouraging medical students and foundation doctors into paediatrics. I spend most of my ‘spare’ time looking after my 3 children, but when I can I enjoy swimming, reading and eating (too much) chocolate.

[email protected]
 
Subspecialty/GRID Rep: Paddy Clarke

Hi everyone I’m Paddy, I am an ST6 and a paediatric nephrology GRID trainee. I am the subspecialty rep for the region which means I am on hand to help with any issues or queries trainees have specific to subspecialty (GRID) training. I am also here to offer support and advice to any trainee who is thinking about applying to subspecialty training. Outside of work I am a keen cyclist and footballer. For my sins I am also a lifelong fan of Leicester City FC…. Up the foxes!

[email protected] 

LTFT Rep: Kate Jordan 

Hi, I’m Kate, a Paeds ST3 who trained in London and did a PEM F3 in Southampton and fell in love with Wessex! I am excited to be the Wessex Paeds LTFT rep, having previously represented LTFT trainees regionally and on the Health Education England Foundation Board. I am passionate about transparency and equality in LTFT training and would love to hear from anyone with any ideas, insights or concerns regarding their LTFT training. When I’m not doctoring I love travelling with my husband and 2 children and drinking copious amounts of coffee!
[email protected]

Social/Comms rep: Katie Hodgkinson

Hi, I am Katie, a paeds ST4 currently in Portsmouth! Outside of work I like being in the sea, gardening or reading vast quantities of terrible books. At work I love neonates, being chatty and generally enthusiastic. As social and communication rep, I’m hoping to make sure trainees feel heard and supported! 

[email protected].uk

PIER reps: 

Julia Hall 
I'm Julia, one of the ST6s. I'm one of the PIER Reps and write the quarterly PIER newsletter. When I'm not working, I'm a scout leader, and Morris dancer and love traveling in my campervan with my husband and dog.
    
   j[email protected] 

Jonathan Ong 
I'm an ST8 Respiratory GRID trainee working in Oxford. I have worked with some amazing teams around the region who are passionate about the care they provide to children and young people. I'm excited to get stuck into my role as a PIER rep to help develop trainee experiences and improve children's services in Wessex. In my spare time, I  enjoy cooking, teaching kids in Sunday school at church and going on walks in Hampshire. 
j[email protected].uk

Gen Southgate
 Hi, I'm a reg here in Wessex doing Palliative care GRID and one of the PIER trainee reps. I'm looking forward to working with the PIER team to support ongoing projects, and build on the PIER resources for trainees to make it as useful as possible- please let us know your suggestions! 

[email protected]


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Progress+
•https://www.rcpch.ac.uk/education-careers/training-assessment/progressplus

Please be aware that with the change to Progress+, less than full time trainees will now not automatically progress at the same rate as full time trainees. If you are working LTFT, you will need to let your supervisor and the deanery know prior to ARCP that you wish to be considered to progress at the full time rate; this will then be considered at ARCP, depending on the competencies and portfolio documentation available to the panel at ARCP.

RCPCH trainee charter
https://www.rcpch.ac.uk/sites/default/files/2022-12/RCPCH-Trainee-Charter-milestones-Printout.pdf

RCPCH training guide
https://www.rcpch.ac.uk/resources/training-guide

Potential GRID trainees  WhatsApp group
Thinking of applying for GRID? Wondering what applications will involve, what the timeline looks like and wanting to get some interview prep? Sign up for the Wessex whatsapp group here!
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