TEALE FENNING

Nick Raine-Fenning · Posted: Tue Jan 02, 2007 3:43 pm Post subject: The last Council Précis of 2006

Speaking following the last Council meeting, held on 24 & 25 November 2006, Tony Roberts and Mark Kilby e-mailed us all with this message ...

Nick Raine-Fenning · Posted: Tue Jan 02, 2007 3:46 pm Post subject:

Important documents presented and discussed at Council. These documents will be available for members and fellows through the RCOG website for further comment and feedback.

1. Joint RCOG/RCM working party The Clinical Learning Environment and Recruitment

2. Advanced Specialist Training Working Party

3. Postgraduate Training Manual

4. Safer Childbirth

• The document has gone to the RCoA, and will be going to the RCM in Feb and RCPCH. This new report is the product of ongoing discussions between the 4 royal colleges. Many of the figures such as obstetric staffing for different sized units are based on the recommendations in The Future Role of the Consultant. All units should have at least 40 hours (with prospective cover) of presence at the very least with 60 hour presence in the larger units.

• Council recognised that there is a need to sustain the call for consultant expansion after the report is published, moving towards the aspirational > 60 hour presence in the large labour wards.

Nick Raine-Fenning · Posted: Tue Jan 02, 2007 3:47 pm Post subject:

Education Board

There are complexities in the transition to the new system but the requirements of ST1 – 3 have been finalised. The new Medical Training Scheme will allow each student to apply to 4 different deaneries.

RCOG will organise a workshop with the deaneries to help in the selection process and hopefully to produce a harmonised process. More details are available on the MMC website.

Nick Raine-Fenning · Posted: Tue Jan 02, 2007 3:48 pm Post subject:

PMETB

The nationwide trainees survey undertaken by PMETB looks at generic training standards across the country. 33, 000 trainees were surveyed and 25, 000 responses received. The supervision and satisfaction results for O&G are a cause for concern as these were low, particularly when compared with primary care training. The RCOG Trainees’ committee is currently looking at better trainee evaluation techniques. These have already been piloted in some regions.

The survey has revealed that labour ward supervision requires consultant input. This is another case for consultant expansion and labour ward cover. On another note, the College is doing well in supervision and subspecialty training in O&G.

Nick Raine-Fenning · Posted: Tue Jan 02, 2007 3:49 pm Post subject:

Equivalence

Article 14 applications are still taking a lot of time. The administrative workload is high. RCOG is looking at the assessment process to ensure that its process is both efficient and remains equitable to applicants.

RCOG is interested in quality assurance procedures but PMETB are considering employing specialist doctors to be involved in vetting the applications.

So far, approximately 30 out of 40 applications have been processed but there may be as many as 100 in the PMETB system which have yet to come through to the RCOG

Nick Raine-Fenning · Posted: Tue Jan 02, 2007 3:50 pm Post subject:

Standards for maternity care

RCOG has taken the initiative to develop these. The set of evidence-based standards based on current RCOG and RCM guidelines have been drawn up. Council agreed that this is an important piece of work that will put maternity care back on the government’s agenda.

Nick Raine-Fenning · Posted: Tue Jan 02, 2007 3:51 pm Post subject:

International

The new Life Saving Skills (LSS) course has been successful. WHO have approached the RCOG to write a proposal to the World Bank for funding to run 5 LSS courses in 5 African countries.

On the matter of international medical graduates, positions depend largely on the deaneries to open up posts. There are great opportunities for the Double Sponsorship scheme through the Training and Work Experience Scheme (TWES). Contracts must be created to reimburse trainees including board and lodging (around £17K). Clarification however, is required on the 24 month limit as newly arrived trainees may need some more time for registration and to adjust to life in the UK.