Transfer of deanery management responsibilities of higher specialty training

Transfer of deanery management responsibilities of Higher Specialty Training for ST3 trainees and ST1 trainees starting run through training

Up until now the majority of Higher Specialist Training Programmes have been managed by the London Deanery through a joint KSS and London School/Specialty Training Committee structure. 

 As of August 2011 this arrangement is to change with the KSS Deanery managing its own higher speciality training programmes along with their current core training programmes.

Those trainees recruited into joint higher speciality programmes in 2011 will be receiving a letter from the London and KSS Heads of School outlining the changes to programme management.

Please see a list of KSS related FAQ's which should help address any concerns you may have regarding the transfer of management responsibility from LDN Deanery to KSS Deanery.

Lead Commissioned Specialties

For a list of the agreed specialties which will be Lead Commissioned by London Deanery please download this document.

If you have any further queries or concerns please email HSTinfo@kssdeanery.ac.uk.   These FAQs will be updated to capture queries raised so please refer back to these on an ongoing basis.

FAQ’s relating to the creation of new KSS Higher Specialty Training Programmes

Q1. Why is KSS Deanery separating from London Deanery and creating its own programmes?

There are three main reasons for the separation of training programmes:

1 - The wish of South East Coast SHA and Trusts to retain the best doctors in the South East and to do that by offering the best training;

2- The realisation that there is less geographical mobility nowadays by doctors, so you must train to best to retain them;

3- The wish to retain graduates for the new Medical School in Brighton in the South East;

4- The wish by both SHA’s to commission/provide training where possible within their own geographical boundaries.

Up until now the majority of Higher Specialty Training Programmes have been managed via the London Deanery through a joint KSS and London School and Specialty Training Committee structure. London is undergoing major change in its approach to programme management. Therefore KSS Deanery needs to have greater autonomy for the management of its programmes and trainees. Due to the separation trainees will now be able to train in KSS for the majority of their medical career i.e. train in KSS from foundation right through to Higher, without the need to move too far geographically, if they so wish.

Q2. How was the separation from London and the creation of programmes established?

The South East Coast Strategic Health Authority (KSS) & London Strategic Health Authority (London) jointly commissioned an independent analysis of the current training programmes each deanery has, the overlaps, the number of posts and whether change would be feasible.  The report was based on information from the Heads of Schools and TPDs of both deaneries. The report published in July 2010, allowed a development work programme to be undertaken to research all specialties, paying particular attention to those where a split was deemed to be achievable. As KSS only has one teaching hospital, Brighton & Sussex University Hospital Trust (BSUH) within its boundaries, it was agreed that for specialties separating trainees may need access to a London Teaching Hospital or Trust to ensure curriculum delivery.

Q3. What processes did the above changes follow?

A joint LDN / KSS Steering Group were established after the publication of the report in August 2010. Its membership was wide ranging including senior directors from both London and SEC SHA’s, the Deaneries and Trusts in both regions.   From this stemmed a Project Group whose primary responsibility was to carry out the implementation of the report recommendations.  There has been careful negotiation by the two parties regarding access to London Teaching Hospital posts and we now have 25 specialties who have agreed to separate with access to ring-fenced places within London Deanery. Agreement was also reached to confirm a further 21 specialties which will remain Lead Commissioned by London Deanery. Some small reciprocal access to KSS posts by London Deanery was also agreed.

Q4. How did you sign off the agreements? By which authority and how do you ensure this is upheld?

The agreements for separating specialties and lead commissioned specialties were signed off by the Steering Group which met on 13th April 2011 and confirmed in a joint letter signed by both Directors of Workforce - as referenced in the joint June letter a copy of which can be found in the download section of this page.

Q5. How are you planning to implement this change?

The separation of specialties will take place in two distinct phases. Phase 1 refers to all new ST3 & ST1 trainees recruited in the 2011 recruitment round, where all trainees starting in KSS trusts will be managed by KSS unless there are programme balance issues. Phase 2 specifically refers to existing trainees already in joint LDN/KSS training programmes who may be approached in the future and given the opportunity to transfer over to KSS management. The option to transfer will be the trainees’ decision and will never be mandatory.

Q6.What does this change mean to the trainee?

In practical terms, this will mean that KSS Deanery will be solely responsible for your training, assessment placements and any additional support that you may require during your training.

Q7. What does the change mean to each Deanery?

The two deaneries will continue to work closely but there will be much clearer lines of accountability for each trainee’s management.   Responsibility for the training environment remains with the deanery within whose boundary the training environment resides. 

Q8. What does the change mean to the trust?

Trusts will continue to have trainees rotate through their training posts as before.    KSS trusts they will continue to work closely with both deaneries and will be kept informed as to which trainees fall under which deaneries management over the transitional years.   London Trusts will in future years receive a number of KSS managed trainees and information flows will be carefully planned. 

Q9. What does the change mean to existing Consultants (both KSS & LDN) currently involved in training?

Trainers will continue to be accredited for training by the deanery within which their Trust resides.   They will continue to receive trainees as before.

Q10. What are the timescales for this change?

New ST3’s and ST1’s will transfer to the management of KSS from August 2011, according to their particular specialty click dates.

Q11.How will the agreement with London (access to Teaching hospital posts / placements) be upheld?

Careful negotiation has been undertaken between Heads of Schools in both deaneries to ensure that KSS will have access to London posts in future years.   These vary on a specialty by specialty basis to ensure programmes deliver the full curriculum and remain attractive to ensure high calibre trainees are attracted to join these programmes.

Q12. How will the transfer of management responsibilities to KSS benefit me and other trainees?

We believe that a KSS managed will benefit trainees by allowing more family-friendly rotations through geographically alignment.   You will be supported by local trainers and Deanery administration staff. London and KSS are committed to ensuring that the changes introduced do not impact upon trainees or their training.

Q13. Will I still have access to the regional training days that are scheduled within the London / KSS programme?

It is likely that KSS trainees will continue to have access to regional training days and study events which are scheduled by the London / KSS STC and which are delivered in and across London and KSS NHS Trusts, this is still under discussion on a specialty by specialty basis. It is envisaged that the South Coast STC will take a larger role in facilitating training days. Details of the training days for each specialty will be available on the KSS website and from the KSS Deanery workforce teams where applicable. As the new KSS programmes develop and expand KSS will develop KSS specific RTD’s but this will be a transitional piece of work for both deaneries.  

Q14. Will I be able to do research in the new rotation?

Each rotation will either access Brighton as the academic base for KSS training programmes, or access one of the London Teaching Hospitals. Several of the other KSS hospitals have consultants with academic interests. There will be opportunities to undertake postgraduate degrees within KSS or to organise research elsewhere, subject to funding.

Q15. Who will undertake my ARCP?

The KSS Higher Specialty Training STC’s will fully manage the ARCP process which you will require to undertake from 2011. In addition we will also provide full support and

management for all other curriculum requirements and activities including induction, less than full time training and, amongst others, career advice.

Q16. Who should I contact if I am thinking of applying for LTFT Training?Specialty trainees should make contact with their KSS Medical Workforce Project Officer (MWPO), who works closely with the KSS Specialty Training Programme Director (TPD), in the first instance.   The MWPO will be able to liaise with the TPD and employing organisations to explore training capacity in order to progress discussions regarding slot share opportunities.  Information on Less than Full Time Training is also available from the Deanery website at: www.kssdeanery.ac.uk, including a downloadable LTFT Training Application Form and details of further Frequently Asked Questions about LTFT Training.  KSS Deanery also employ LTFT Training Advisors (Eleanor Gosnell & Lisa Freedman), who can be contacted by email at: lessthanfulltimetraining@kssdeanery.ac.uk for queries regarding the day to day operation of the scheme.

KSS Deanery 3rd August 2011

* Please note that these FAQ’s will be subject to additions following the progress of the project and maybe updated periodically.