Royal College of General Practitioners

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North of England Faculty Newsletter

• Royal College of General Practitioners

Contents in this issue. Cover page Your Annual
General Meeting. Page 1. Education and
Training. Page 2. Reviews. Page 3. Faculty News
Board Members. Page 4. Music and
Medicine Page 5 6. The New MRCGP. Page
7. Address and Programme.
Email addresses Please could you forward your
email address to the Faculty office. This would
assist us greatly with saving paper and extra
expenses on mailings. The faculty and the
environment thanks you!
Could you donate an article to the newsletter? If
so, please contact Clare Bartram at the faculty
address.
Annual General Meeting
Were starting arrangements for our AGM. A few
ideas have been thrown into the pot, one is to
change the dress code, therefore we are adding an
optional Black Tie so dust off your posh frocks
and dickey bows and hunt out those shiny pearls.
We have looked into several places to hold this
years AGM, but top of the list is the Three Tuns
in Durham. Its easily found and straight off the
A1 into Durham, which has great bus and rail
links into the city centre. If youd like to
raise an opinion about where or even the dress
code, please email the faculty office at
cbartram_at_rcgp.org.uk. The information will be
collated and well follow the majority of votes.
Definite details will be ascertained and sent
with the relevant leaflet to book you table later
in the year! Our speaker for the lecture will be
Allyson Pollock. Please dont miss out on this
important event, put the date in your
calendar! The date for your diary for our Annual
General Meeting, Lecture and Annual Dinner is
Thursday 16th November 2006
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North of England Faculty Newsletter 1.
Education and Training
Increase your Effectiveness (and reduce your
risk) A one-day consultation skills
workshop 09nd November 2006 at Collingwood
College Since our last workshop ran so well and
was in popular demand were holding it again! We
know that skills identification, rehearsal,
observation and feedback can lead to effective
behaviour change for clinicians. Consequently
reducing your medico-legal, clinical risk and
increasing a clinicians effectiveness. Therefore
these skills aim at the same goals. Using these
insights the workshop will present key messages
from the literature, and structures exercises for
the participants that will allow them to change
their consultation behaviours in a more effective
direction. Suitable for Established or in
training doctors, nurses and allied clinical
professionals who wish to extend their
own consultation skills. Prices are 100
for RCGP members 120 for non-members Tea and
coffee will be supplied and a hot buffet lunch
served. For more details of the course or to book
your place early, please contact the faculty
office to request a leaflet. Booking forms will
be sent out in the next newsletter. Places are
limited therefore early booking is advised. Dr
Malcolm Thomas will be Facilitating this event.
I
Are you interested in learning more about
Dermatology
We are going to provide a course later this year.
A provisional date has been set for 26th October
2006. Our proposed agenda is as
follows The booking leaflet for this
course will be sent out in Septembers publication
of the newsletter or if you would like to request
a place early please email cbartram_at_rcgp.org.uk
at the faculty office with your details.
Lunch 12.30 1.30 Acne
1.30 2.10 Infections 2.10 2.50 Q
A 2.50 3.15
Registration 09.30 10.00 Psoriasis
10.00 10.40 Eczema 10.40
11.20 Coffee 11.20 11.50 Tumours
11.50 12.30
Prices are Members - 75.00 Non Members -
95.00
Please note places will only be held for 2 weeks
unless payment is received. Both courses will be
a first come first served basis. Any refunds
after payment has been made will incur a 10
administration fee.
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North of England Faculty Newsletter 2. Reviews
Faculty Board Meeting
Courses
We have just had our last Faculty Board meeting
at Ramside Hall Hotel on Wednesday 07th June.
On the agenda were the last council minutes,
plans for our future Music and Medicine Weekend
advertised overleaf, the next AGM and help to
organize a retired members meeting. Our turn
out was not as intended therefore were inviting
those who wish to become an active part of the
faculty to attend our faculty Board meetings. If
you feel you would like to attend please contact
me. The next Faculty Board meeting will be held
on Wednesday 13th September 2006 at Ramside Hall
Hotel.
Im glad to report our first course, Increase
Your Effectiveness facilitated by Dr Malcolm
Thomas ran smoothly. We were almost fully
booked, therefore a boost to our faculty. We were
requested by Dr Di Jelley of the North Tyneside
PCT to coordinate an Appraiser Training day.
The first day was attended on the 09th June, the
second part of this course is to be held on the
13th October 2006. Both the above courses were
held at Collingwood College, Durham who provided
an excellent service. We have re-booked Dr Thomas
to provide more courses.
Roadmap Practice Review of Monday 26TH June 2006
Meeting held at Ramside Hall Hotel.
Attendees
Dr Lipman, Dr Roy, Dr Agrawalla, Dr Partha, Dr
Bell, Elaine Walker, Dr Taylor, Dr Tomson, Dr
Walker, Dr Liston and Clare Bartram.
Models of care Collaboration between General
Practitioners, a collaborated model of care
to provide an efficiently explored networking
basis. Personal Care Continuity of care is a
major key role for the Generalist Practitioner.
Theres a need to find a defined system for
those which require high priority and advocate
the patient register with a practice. An increase
in consultation length without increasing overall
working times, by being efficient. Demand verses
need, not the government verses consultation
length. Role of the GP and comprehensiveness
Generalism is a core skill an a strength.
Patients want their doctors to be educated in all
areas and to be able to provide a general skill
on all basis. Role of College The role of the
college should be supporting and advancing the
public view of the general practitioner.
Promoting generalism as a virtue and a positive
ability, a valuable and essential asset.
Providing the best experts to present toolkits to
provide quality learning. The role of the
college on the first stance is the interaction
with the Government. Secondly, the local
aspects, developing the college and faculty
initiatives. To be courageous, standing up for
General Practice. Faculties should liaise more
with other GP groups. Special Issues Long term
commitment should be encouraged and promoted.
Drastic change to the profession of General
Practitioner is not necessary, we should be
protecting this.
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North of England Faculty Newsletter 3. Faculty
News
Calling Green Fingered Garden Lovers!
Dr Geoffrey Marsh M.B.E. has been hard at work in
his twelve years of retirement. Dr Marsh used to
be the Faculty Provost but has since been
devoting his time and energy into what used to be
almost a field and can now only be described as
well improved! As a keen green fingered gardener,
he would like you to come and take pleasure in
viewing the talent and beauty of nature.
For a small charge of 2.00 which will be donated
to nursing and cancer charities, the garden will
be open for viewing as part of the National
Gardens Open Scheme, of which there are only
approximately 16 entries in County Durham.
Open 2PM 5PM At The
Old Vicarage, Bolam, Darlington, DL2 2UP
Date 09th July 2006
To make a day of this event The Countryman pub
is very local and provides a selection of
lunches or teas.
The North of England Faculty Board Dr Rodger
Thornham-Provost Dr Toby Lipman-Chairman Dr
Dinah Roy-Honorary Secretary Dr Ahmet
Fuat-Honorary Treasurer Dr Valerie Taylor-Council
Rep Dr Malcolm Thomas-Dept Council Rep Miss Clare
Bartram-Faculty Administrator If you would like
to contact any of the Faculty Board members
please contact the Faculty Office. (Contact
details on back page). The dates for the next
Faculty Board Meetings are 13th September
2006 16th November 2006 AGM If you wish to
attend please contact the Faculty office all
very welcome.
Calling all Senior (Retired) Members of the
Faculty. We usually enjoy a lunch and afternoon
socializing together once a year. The venue
alters each year taking into consideration the
geography of the region. The occasion is most
enjoyable meeting friends and colleagues. For
further details of this event, please contact
Peter Moran, 2, Calderwood Crescent, Low
Fell, Tyne Wear, NE9 6PH. Tel
0191 4877348 e-mail petmar2poplar_at_tesco.net
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Music and Medicine
Music and Medicine Do you have an
Interest in these areas? Were are starting
arrangements to produce a weekend devoted to
musical aspects combined with medicine, the event
is to be held at the Sage, Gateshead sometime
next Autumn. Services of academic workshops and
lectures, as well as performances, scratch
orchestras, coaching and choirs could also be
arranged. Tuition and help can be provided.
Music and Med!!1
The Sage often hosts many different types of
musical performances including folk music and
World music entrants.
We could provide a program for spouses and
family. Therefore even if youre not interested
in one of these you can still participate in many
of the events
There is growing evidence to support the claims
that concerts which prove to be both stimulating
and relaxing, actually assist in patients
recovery.
4. Music and Medicine
North of England Faculty Newsletter
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THE NEW MRCGP, WHAT HAS CHANGED?
North of England Faculty Newsletter 5. MRCGP

• Most of you will have realised that there
  are moves afoot in the assessment process for our
  fledgling Registrars. Recent assessments have
  been complex and duplicated with a licensing
  (Summative Assessment) and professional
  examination (MRCGP) running simultaneously. The
  political impetus born out of Modernising Medical
  Careers and the birth of a new licensing
  authority (PTC) under the control of PMETB has
  led to the development of a new assessment
  process. It has been quite common for Registrars
  to achieve a pass at Summative Assessment and
  either defer or avoid taking the MRCGP. This has
  always appeared strange as it is rare indeed to
  find a practising doctor without the relevant
  higher qualification in any other craft of the
  profession.
• The emphasis currently is on
  competencies these being defined by a new
  curriculum (currently with PMETB for scrutiny)
  and a high stakes assessment at the end of
  training commensurate with the standard of the
  current MRCGP. For the first time entry as a
  principal into general practice will be via a
  licensing assessment delivered by the college.
  The Registrar will have no need to take two
  assessments and the public will be reassured by a
  quality controlled assessment approved by the
  college.
• What will change practically?
• Summative assessment will end in Aug 2008 (last
  entry 31/07/07)
• 2. Transition from old to new MRCGP will take
  place over the next 2 years. The last date of
  application for the old examination will be the
  2nd Feb 07
• 3. The video, simulated surgery, orals and
  written paper will be phased out by Summer 08.
• 4. The Multiple choice paper will be replaced
  by a similar paper termed the AKT (applied
  knowledge test).
• 5. In place of the above a new Clinical Skills
  Assessment (CSA) will come into force from
  September 07. This will be based on the simulated
  surgery module with the addition of extra OSCE
  type stations.
• 6. In place of the Audit and trainers report
  will be a continuous Work place Based Assessment
  (WPBA). This will require an extended trainers
  report and numerous assessment methods to assess
  the registrars progress throughout their training
  (in both Primary and Secondary care)
• For the candidate the process will be more
  straightforward and there are fewer end point
  assessments. The only significant assessment
  requiring travel will be the CSA, which is likely
  to take place in London The AKT will be
  delivered locally in centres similar to those
  used by the licensing authorities for driving a
  motor vehicle.

The process of transition will be complex and
decisions on which assessment is to be taken by a
particular individual will often be difficult.
This will be especially so for Registrars who
have to a large extent organised their own
scheme. The costs are also likely to increase for
Registrars.
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North of England Faculty Newsletter 6. MRCGP
part 2.
What are the advantages to the profession? It
will be obvious that if the MRCGP becomes the
licensing methodology, that college membership is
likely to be boosted. This is a great opportunity
for the college and I know the Treasurer and
President are making plans for this to be a
welcoming and hopefully lifelong affiliation to
the college. It is also hoped that public trust
(already high) will be maintained in a high
stakes fit for purpose assessment. There is
considerable lay input into the new assessment
and it will be of no surprise that it is the lay
members who are insisting on raising rather than
maintaining standards. There will be a group
of doctors now principals or sessional, who
failed to take or pass the old MRCGP. If all
newly qualified General Practitioners have the
new MRCGP the latter group could start to feel
vulnerable especially if they apply for other
posts. It is in the colleges interests to help
them achieve membership. After Feb07 this will be
virtually impossible as they will not be able to
perform the WPBA which can only be achieved
during training. The alternative method for this
group of Doctors was via MAP (Membership by
assessment and performance). This is still open
to them but it is hoped to simplify and shorten
the process. It is proposed that iMAP
(intermediate MAP) is developed. To achieve MRCGP
by this method the candidate would take the CSA
and AKT, and would hand in a portfolio of
evidence of personal development work which would
include about half of the current criteria for
MAP. These are challenging times for both the
College and Deaneries who are charged with the
development and delivery of the assessment. A
high stakes assessment comes with attendant legal
risks. An inadequate and non validated assessment
opens up the possibility of legal challenge,
after all, failing this assessment may deem you
unfit to practice in your chosen speciality. The
system has to be robust enough to withstand a
potential legal challenge. I am involved in the
transition process and will be happy to advise
any particular problems that arise. If I cannot
help I will be able to point those who need to
know in the right direction. Mike Bewick Chair
of Exam Board
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North of England Faculty Newsletter
7. Address Programme
Programme 2006 - 2007
Address Miss Clare Bartram Royal College of
General Practitioners The Surgery Oxford
Road Spennymoor Co. Durham DL16 6YQ Email
cbartram_at_rcgp.org.uk Tel [phone]
Events
Faculty Board Meeting 13th September
2006 Appraisal Training 13th October
2006 Dermatology 26th October
2006 Increase Your Effectiveness 09th
November 2006 Annual General Meeting 16th
November 2006
Interested in events and the Faculty?
If you would like to register your interest in
particular events that the faculty may pursue
please contact us. We are looking for an editor,
a small role to scan the newsletter and other
mailings. Those wishing to take a more active
role in the faculty please make yourself known
and join us at our next Faculty Board Meeting!