Foreword

Welcome to the June edition of your Training Newsletter.

As the bees start buzzing with the summer breeze, or so we can wish, and ARCPs are underway, we hope that you have had a good year in training. For some, this may be your first summer as a doctor, whilst for others, this may be the last one as a trainee. Regardless of the new adventures you are preparing to embark on in August, we wish you an exciting future and bon voyage!

To begin with, we would like to draw your attention to key updates in this issue, which include the latest guidance on the application for accelerated Completion of Clinical Training (CCT) date and the new leaving process for exiting a training programme. Educational opportunities highlighted in this newsletter include Careers Team Evening Webinars aimed to help you with career development, and the updated Knowledge Network for Health and Social Care, which contains many freely available resources.

We first celebrate the successes of all those whose contributions to medical education have been recognised through the 11th Medical Directorate Awards. Through pioneering new training modalities, inspiring new generations of trainees through their commitment, enthusiasm and role modelling, and standing up for important issues like sexual misconduct, the continued hard work of all those who are involved in medical education helps us build a supportive and fruitful environment for learning. A sincere heartfelt congratulations to all the winners and runners-up!

Our next item announces the online availability of the NES Conference session recordings and all of the posters that were successfully submitted.

We appreciate that it can be difficult to know how or whom to raise the issue to at times. The article ‘need to report a concern?’ illustrates some of the processes and people who might be available to support you if an issue does arise, whether it is related to patient care or your training.

Next included in this issue is the latest guidance on applying for the acceleration of the CCT date. Most clinical training programmes have an indicative timeframe, and it is recognised that learners can attain skills and knowledge at different rates. With some trainees potentially achieving all the required competencies before the indicative training timeframe, they may be in a position to consider applying for an accelerated CCT date. Links to the latest published guidance and useful practical tips to consider before application are contained in the article.

Starting from June 2024, a new and improved process for leaving a training programme will be also implemented. We recognise this may be a challenging time with difficult decisions to be made and can be associated with anxiety and stress. A recent survey also highlighted the need for a more standardised approach to gain feedback from trainees who leave a programme. Thus, some of the changes include streamlining email notifications to reduce administrative burden, using a Leaver’s questionnaire to gain feedback, and the chance to meet 1:1 with a senior member of the Trainee Development and Wellbeing Service to provide feedback.

Further changes that will be coming into effect from June 2024 is the new updated Scottish Training Survey. Each year, questions are continuously reviewed to allow the most relevant and appropriate questions to be included. This year, new questions on key issues such as discrimination, harassment, sustainability, interactions with Physicians Associate and Anaesthetic Associates, and overall satisfaction with the posts will be included. The results are published yearly to inform the quality management process undertaken by the deanery.

Also included in this issue is information on the Medical Careers Team Evening Webinars that will be running on an approximately monthly basis, from 17:00-18:00, for the remainder of 2024. These sessions are aimed at helping trainees and trainers plan their careers and career development. Flyers for these sessions are attached.

Further educational resources are available on the Knowledge Network for Health and Social Care website, which has also undergone an update! Many services and resources are available, from training material to books and journals, so it is worth exploring! Many books and journals are available for free with your OpenAthens account- details of how to sign in or self-register are included.

As always, feedback on the deanery newsletter and website is always sought after, and we welcome submissions for articles to hear about your experience of training for upcoming newsletters!

If you have work you would like to highlight in this newsletter, contact Scotland Deanery.

Dr Mengye Li (Core Trainee in Anaesthetics) and Dr Xinming Yu (Internal Medical Trainee)

Trainee representatives for the Scotland Deanery Communications Group