Cardio-Thoracic Teaching 23/10/2020

 Dear all, 

This weeks regional cardiothoracic surgical teaching is "Update on Aortic Dissection in the UK" delivered by Mr Umberto Benedetto. 

23/10/2020

0815 - 0915

Via zoom

Meeting ID: 751 458 6253

Password: 340869

BW

Tom. 

Lunch Webinar - INOCA/MVA

 Dear all, 

Amenarini are running a lunch time webinar on ischaemia in non-obstructed coronary arteries/microvascular angina this Wednesday 14th October. 

Details below. 

Time: Oct 14, 2020 01:00 PM London

 

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87548661554?pwd=eGpOR1VwRkJLQk5kcDFaVFkyLzhIdz09

 

Meeting ID: 875 4866 1554

Passcode: 526564

BW

Tom. 

ACHD Training day this Friday 16th.

 Dear all, 

A reminder that the ACHD training day is this Friday 16th October. 

Topic: Transposition

via Zoom at 09:30. 

Email Dr Anna Zingale at Anna.Zingale@uhs.nhs.uk to sign up. 

BW

Tom 

IMPORTANT - Dual/Single Accreditation guidance, relevant to all NTN trainees pre-CCT.

Dear all, 

As I am sure you are all aware the GMC/Royal College stance on medical specialities requiring dual accreditation with GIM is changing. This is likely to become set in stone in the near future. 

Please see below for the upcoming stance on accreditation as advised by the deanery:

2020 intake (i.e. this years ST3s) - Compulsory dual accreditation with GIM, no exceptions. 

2019 intake (current ST4s) - Highly likely to need to dual accredit with GIM. 

2018 intake or prior (Current ST5+) - Dual accreditation with GIM if trainee wishes. See below for the next steps. 

! All pre CCT Wessex trainees holding a NTN must email James Pillinger at the deanery as soon as possible with their accreditation intention with regards to the above information !

If you have any questions regarding the above please contact James Pillinger/John Paisey, or for informal advice give me a call/text. 

 

***Note - once the GMCs stance is formally in place, if the deanery has not received formal notification on your accreditation intent it will be compulsory for you to accredit in GIM and Cardiology regardless of your stage of training.***

BW

Tom 

BJCA National Cardiology Induction Handbook – August 2020

Dear all, 

The BJCA have released and update to their excellent induction handbook. 

This is a fantastic resource packed full of information you need to know for the duration of cardiology training and is particularly useful for new ST3s. 

I strongly recommend everyone has a read. Find it here. 

BW

Tom. 

Medicine 24 Conference.

 Dear all, 

The upcoming Medicine 24 conference is drawing closer. Very useful and informative to all, particularly those dual accrediting in GIM. 

Please see the attached flyer here, and the programme here. 

BW

Tom. 

Busy Day 24th September. Extra HF event with Prof Kalra, WIC and Survey!

 Dear all, 

There are a lot of events on tomorrow evening, see below for another to be added to the list. 

1, HF talk from Prof Kalra 

Prof Kalra will be speaking at the AZ  Webinar on Sept 24th from 19:00 around pts with Diabetes and CVD, giving his perspective on what should be happening now for patients with Diabetes and Heart Failure/CVD.

See here for the flyer. Follow the link at the top of the PDF to sign up. 

2, Please sign up for the WIC webinar immediately following this, 19:55 start. See the post below for more details. 

3, Why not finish the evening of exciting education off by completing the trainees survey. Unhappy with training, any concerns or positive experiences to discuss - then fill it in! Link here. 

BW

Tom. 

Women in Cardiology Webinar- Thursday 24th September 2020

Dear All,

Please see below regarding the next Women in Cardiology Webinar this coming Thursday.

This is an interactive webinar about hot topics for women in cardiology with panel discussion including Prof. Kalra (Past Chair BSH), Dr. Dobson (BCS Women in Cardiology Representative), Prof. Ray (BCS President) and Dr. Calver (Vice-President for Training, JRCPTB Cardiology Specialist Advisory Committee Chair) and hosted by our very own Wessex trainee, Sarah Birkhoelzer (BJCA WIC and LTFT Representative).

Please see the flyer here for more information.

Regards,

Kri

Wessex Cardiology Trainee Survey- Deadline approaching

 

Dear All,

This is just a friendly reminder that the Wessex Trainee Survey is live here and will be closing soon.

Please do fill it in to reflect what your training has been like in your current rotation. The results will be presented at the STC in October and is a great way to highlight any training needs at a regional level.

We will be closing this survey in a weeks time so please take 5 minutes to fill it in when you can. We will post a final reminder later this week as well.

BW,

Kri

Women in Cardiac Specialties- An interactive evening

 Dear All,

I hope you are well. 

BCS Women in Cardiology Representative, Dr Rebecca Dobson will be leading an interactive session entitled 'Women in Cardiac Specialties'. 

It is open to all genders and training grades.

Please see details below and drop her an e-mail her to register.

BW,

Kri

Wessex Trainee Survey 2020- Reminder

  Dear All,

Hope you have had a good weekend.

This is just a friendly reminder that the Wessex Trainee Survey is live here.

Please do fill it in to reflect what your training has been like in your current rotation. The results will be presented at the STC in October and is a great way to highlight any training needs at a regional level.

BW,

Kri

Sports Cardiology - ECG interpretation in athletes.

 Dear all, 

Hannah Sinclair has highlighted a great upcoming online course from St Georges on ECG interpretation in athletes and young patients. 

Please find the flyer attached here with further information and signing up instructions. 

BW

Tom. 

Joint BSCI/BSCCT and ASNC webinar- Introduction to nuclear imaging in coronary artery disease

 Hi all,

The BSCI and ASNC are holding a joint webinar titled 'Introduction to nuclear imaging in coronary artery disease' which you may find interesting.

 It will be held on Thursday, 10th September 2020 at 5pm BST.

Learning Outcomes:

- Describe UK guidelines for coronary artery disease

– Understand differences/similarities between European and other guidelines

– Describe indications for nuclear imaging in coronary artery disease

– Describe how SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging is performed Interpret normal and abnormal SPECT MPI

– Understand common artefacts in SPECT imaging

– At the conclusion of the program, the participant will have a greater understanding and recognition of important prognostic features on nuclear cardiology diagnostic studies.

Please click here to register.

BW,

Kri

Wessex Trainee Survey 2020- Reminder

 Dear All,

Hope you have had a good weekend.

This is just a friendly reminder that the Wessex Trainee Survey is now live here.

Please do fill it in to reflect what your training has been like in your current rotation. The results will be presented at the STC in October and is a great way to highlight any training needs at a regional level.

Thanks.

BW,

Kri

Wessex Trainees Survey 2020.

 Dear all, 

It is that time of year again for the annual survey. 

Whilst we appreciate you complete many surveys, this one in particular is a very powerful tool to lobby for change at a local level. 

The results will be presented at the STC meeting in October to the TPD and consultants from across the region. 

Please find the link here. 

If you have any issues with training or concerns you want to voice now is the time. All responses are anonymous and will be dealt with confidentially. 

We thank you all for your time in completing this. 

BW

Tom and Kri 

Echo training in the region

 

Dear all,

Please see the email below recently sent by Dr Paisey and Dr Steadman to the Echo leads in our various trusts. 

If you are not receiving the appropriate amount of Echo training as outlined below, please contact your Trust Echo Lead in the first instance. Should you still not be able to achieve your echo training, please contact Dr Paisey.

FAO Echo training leads, please share with your physiology Echo heads where I have not been able to identify the appropriate contact:

 

Dear Colleagues,

 

Whilst we recognise that providing training and experience in transthoracic echo remains challenging in Covid times it is an absolute requirement of training for StRs who have not yet accredited via the BSE or curriculum tool.

The indicative numbers of scans that should be performed and reported for those using the curriculum accreditation tool are 150 per year and you will all be familiar with the BSE requirements. In addition to this there is an absolute requirement for trusts to provide hands on training and ensure development of competencies with an early emphasis on the FEEL skills and experience, trainees need to complete accreditation (BSE or curriculum tool) by the end of St5 to achieve outcome 1 at ARCP.

If your department is unable to offer this essential part of StR training then please let me know as we have vacancies elsewhere in the region which are able to offer training and can re allocate trainees to these hospitals.

Please let me know if you envisage being unable to provide this essential part of SpR training at the earliest opportunity.

 

Yours

 

John and Chris

TPD and Echo Lead

BW,

Kri.

ARCP Deanery Survey

Dear all, 

In light of the changes to this years ARCP due to COVID, the deanery are keen on assessing trainees feedback based on this years process. HEE have produced a short survey they would be grateful if all can complete it. 

The survey closes on Wednesday 9th September. 

Find the survey here. 

You can also participate in the snap Twitter poll here.

BW

Tom and Kri.

Postgraduate Course in Heart Failure (Face-to-face and Online)

Hi All,

I hope you are all doing well. 

Please see the details below for the Postgraduate Course in Heart failure that offers both face-to-face and online versions. 

Postgraduate Course in Heart Failure London 2021-2022 (Face-to-Face classroom version): This is the next version of the most successful postgraduate course held at the Royal Society of Medicine in Central London with 6 modules of 4 days each, during a two-year period. Each module offers state-of-the-art lectures by internationally known key opinion leaders in the field as well as case presentations, interactive rapid-fire sessions, hands-on courses on imaging, including echocardiography, computer tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, as well as training with simulators for pacemakers and CRT implantation and ventricular assist devices among many other features. 

Please click here for further course information. 

Postgraduate Course in Heart Failure London Online (2020-2021): For the first time we now offer, for those who cannot leave their home institutions, an online postgraduate course in heart failure comprising 5 modules (but without hands-on training), with the full spectrum of state-of-the-art lectures, case presentations, live cases and demonstration of devices and their implantation. Also, each module contains an examination that participants are required to pass which at the end will lead to 15-20 CME credits per module and a certificate of completion awarded by the British Cardiovascular Society and the British Society for Heart Failure. 

Please click here for further course information

If you have any questions regarding this course please contact former participant Sarah Birkhoelzer on sarah.birkhoelzer@gmail.com.

BW,

Kri

Training Days

 Dear all, 

The next two training days will be virtual. 

A reminder these count towards the attendance requirement for ARCP and will be on the training day form. 

September - 08/09/2020, BCS National Training Day. Sign up online on the BCS website. http://www.bcs.com/education/NationalTrainingDay.asp?CourseID=3&navcatid=31

October - 16/10/2020, Wessex Congenital Series. See blog post for more details. http://wessex.cardiologytrainees.co.uk/2020/08/wessex-congenital-cardiac-series.html 

We are hoping to have face to face session November onwards. 

Keep and eye on the training day page of the blog for updates. 

BW

Tom. 

HF evening meeting, Final Remainder. 19/08/20 - 19:00

 Dear all, 

A final reminder to sign up for the upcoming SpR educational meeting. 

Agenda here with link to sign up at the top of the document. 

BW

Tom. 

Heart Failure SpR Evening 19/08/20

 Dear all, 

A reminder to sign up for the SpR HF teaching evening with Dr Paul Haydock THIS Wednesday 19/08/20 at 1900.

Please find the agenda here and follow the weblink at the top of the PDF to join. 

BW

Tom. 

Wessex Congenital Cardiac Series

 Dear all,

The next Wessex Congenital Cardiac Series study day will be on 16th of October 2020 and it will be held virtually via Zoom. 

The topic will be on transposition- aiming to cover everything from morphology to clinical presentation and imaging as well as long term follow up. All in one morning. 

Please find the programme here.

To register for the meeting please contact Dr Zingale at anna.zingale@uhs.nhs.uk and she will send you the joining details closer to the time.

BW,

Kri 

WIC Case Competition Presentation.

 Dear All,

Please see the attached flyer here from Sarah Birkholzer (BJCA WIC/LTFT rep) regarding the WIC case competition presentation event. 

There will be cases presented from across the globe with the winner gaining publication in EHJ case reports. 

Link for registration is embedded in the flyer. 

BW

Tom. 

Heart Failure Zoom Evening Meeting - Wednesday 19th August, 19:00.

Dear all, 

Further to previous messages the next Wessex evening zoom educational meeting is 2 weeks away. 

This session will be focused on heart failure with two great talks from Dr Paul Haydock (HF Consultant, UHS). 

Attendance is strongly encouraged.  

Please find the full agenda here. 

To sign up - copy and paste the web-link at the top of the agenda. 

Any questions please drop me a message. 

BW
Tom. 

Temporary Mechanical Support of Cardiac Function- Microsoft Teams Teaching

Dear All,

Our cardiothoracic colleagues have organised an interesting Microsoft Teams teaching session titled ' Temporary Mechanical Support of Cardiac Function' presented by Mr Antonious Kourliouros.

Date: 07/08/2020

Time: 8.15-9.15a.m

Microsoft teams link: https://teams.microsoft.com/l/channel/19%3a46667b98cf484876a372eb8192e6f60e%40thread.tacv2/General?groupId=e197d6ad-a5fe-43b5-b429-8973d82c3254&tenantId=25d273c3-a851-4cfb-a239-e9048f989669

 

Please do join if you can!

BW, 

Kri

Heart Failure zoom evening meeting. 19/08/2020.

Dear all, 

After the great success of the first Wessex online evening meeting I am pleased to announce the next online teaching session will be on Wednesday 19th August at 19:00. 

Dr Paul Haycock (HF consultant at UHS) will be speaking on the latest updates in the world of heart failure. 

Full agenda and signing up information to follow. 

BW

Tom. 

Pregnancy in Cardiology toolkit.

Dear all, 

Dr Carroll has highlighted the following toolkit from the Royal College of Physicians designed to help us manage pregnant patients presenting with chest pain, SOB etc. 

https://www.rcplondon.ac.uk/guidelines-policy/acute-care-toolkit-15-managing-acute-medical-problems-pregnancy

BW

Tom. 

Pregnancy and Cardiology seminar - Update. 16/07/20, 18:30-20:00

Dear all, 

Further to the previous post, see here for the agenda and how to sign up for this. 

BW

Tom. 

Pregnancy and Cardiology - Free 1.5hr Webinar.

Dear all, 

There is a free 1.5 hour webinar this Thursday 16th July from the UK Maternal Cardiology Society, ‘Maternal cardiology: lessons from the confidential enquiry and COVID in pregnancy study’.

Great for the e-portfolio. 

I do not yet have the flyer for timings and joining instructions but will put it on the blog as soon as I do. 

Keep your eye out for it. 

BW

Tom. 

Royal Society of Medicine - Cardiology Core Curriculum events.

Dear all, 

The RSM is hosting several online meetings targeting the Cardiology Curriculum. 

They are free to attend for trainees. 

https://www.rsm.ac.uk/events/cardiology/2019-20/cdn56/

Furthermore it is worth checking out the RSM Cardiology section for other free events. 

BW

Tom. 

Medtronic lunchtime teaching sessions.

Dear all, 

Medtronic are running a series of short (30min) virtual lunchtime teaching sessions covering device programming, troubleshooting etc. 

Great for all core trainees and those in Devices/EP. 

All 12:30 - 13:00

24/06/20 - Smart Shock and ICD Discriminators

25/06/20 - TYRX

01/07/20 - Battery Technology

08/07/20 - LINQ mobile manager 2 + The future of LINQ

Please email gina.willis@medtronic.com to sign up. 

BW

Tom. 

Virtual Evening Meeting 24/06/20 - COVID and Cardiology.

Dear all, 

A final reminder for this Wednesdays evening meeting. 

It will start promptly at 19:00. 

Please see here for the flyer and how to sign up if you haven't already. 

See you all there, 

BW

Tom. 

QA Training Day 26/06 -- POSTPONED.

Dear all, 

Whilst we were hoping the QA arrhythmia training day would be able to go ahead unfortunately due to space and the nature of many of the sessions (hands on with device programmers) it will be postponed until Q3 this year. 

Keep an eye on the training day page of the blog for a re-arranged date later this year. 

In the interim please sign up for the upcoming evening virtual events. 

BW

Tom. 

Case Report Competition.

Dear all, 

Sarah Birkhoelzer, the newly appointed WIC and LTFT rep is running a case report competition with other trainees from around the world. 

This is open to female trainees or female doctors interested in cardiology. The winner will get their case published in EHJ case reports. 

Please see the flyer here. 

BW

Tom. 

Reminder - Evening Meeting 24/06/2020.

Dear all, 

A reminder to sign up for next weeks training evening on COVID in cardiology and high risk atherothrombotic patients. 

Find the agenda here. 

To sign up follow the web link near the top of the PDF. 

Due to the fact it is an evening meeting attendance is not compulsory but it will be on the training form and attendance will be looked upon favourably by the deanery. 

Hope to see you all virtually then, 

BW

Tom. 

Evening Training Meeting - 24/06/2020. Cardiology and COVID.

Dear all, 

Our first virtual evening training meeting is upcoming, via Zoom. 

24/06/2020 at 19:00. 

This is the first in a series of meetings. Due to the fact that several training days have been cancelled these evening meetings will be listed on the training day form for next years ARCP and thus count towards attendance. 

Speaker: Dr Sukh Nijjer - Consultant Interventional Cardiologist, Imperial College Trust. 

Topics: CV impact of COVID pandemic and prevention of atherothrombotic events in high risk patients. 

Please see here for the formal agenda. 

Important: You must be pre-registered to attend this meeting. Please follow the link in the above document to do so. 

Any questions drop me an email. 

BW

Tom. 

Training collaboration with Cardiothoracic Surgery

Dear all, 

An exciting announcement to make. 

Following recent meetings with my CT surgical counterpart, in the near future we will be having some joint training days with cardiac surgical trainees from Southampton, Oxford and Bristol. 

There is a good deal of overlap in our curriculum and they will also provide a great opportunity for networking and socialising afterwards. 

We are aiming to have the first 'face-to-face' meeting in Q3 this year but in the interim...

We have been invited to attend the upcoming 'virtual' surgical training meeting via Microsoft Teams. 

12/06/2020 with Professor Ohri 

Topic - Lifetime management of Aortic Valve disease. 

Please email Mr Hani Ali-Ghosh (CT fellow) at Hani.Ali-Ghosh@uhs.nhs.uk for more information and to sign up. 

BW

Tom. 

QA Arrhythmia Training Day + upcoming eduction.

Dear all,

Some good news all.
Education is slowly getting up and running.

In terms of 'formal' teaching over the next couple of months the following are planned:

1) The QA Arrhythmia training day on 26/06/20 is hopefully going ahead. Aiming to be face to face if space allows. It may be tricky doing the whole day virtually.

2) There will be two virtual evening meetings in June and July with some internationally recognised speakers. Dates TBC.

Both of the above will be included in the expected attendance for trainees and logged on the training day form for next years ARCP.

BW
Tom.

ARCP, Q+A with John Paisey - TONIGHT

Dear all, 

The meeting at 19:00 28/05/20 will now take place via Zoom (I seem unable to use MS Teams)

Meeting ID: 476-756-6840

Password: 4c1YJT

Please sign in 5 minutes early so we can start promptly (zoom may boot us out after 40 mins). 

If you would like any questions to be asked anonymously or if you wont be able to attend, email them to me -  gilpintr4290@doctors.org.uk - and I will ask them. 

BW

Tom. 

ARCP - Microsoft Team meeting with John Paisey.

Dear all,

There will be a Microsoft Teams meeting this Thursday 28/05/20 at 19:00 with Dr Paisey.

This will be an open Q and A session regarding this years ARCP and a great opportunity for trainees to clarify any questions they may have.

It is strongly suggested all attend.

Further details to follow.
See you there.

BW
Tom.

ARCP - Reminder.

Dear All,

A reminder for this years ARCP, all information including Educational Supervisors report must be uploaded to your e-Portfolio by 29/05/2020.

Please pay close attention to Dr Paisey's email with regards to ARCP outcome and required evidence in light of the COVID 19 pandemic.

Furthermore please review the ARCP tab on the blog. The training day attendance form is available along with a plethora of other information.

BW
Tom.

RSM Frontline Webinar.

Dear all,

Dr Paisey has highlighted an upcoming free 2 part webinar from The Royal Society of Medicine.

There is a focus on cardiovascular and other acute presentations, particularly relevant in COVID 19 times.

Find the link to the RSM website here.

BW
Tom.

BJCA Trainee Survey 2020.

Dear all,

I hope you are well.

Further to the emails from the BJCA the 2020 training survey is still live.
Is it essential all trainees complete it as it is an extremely powerful tool to identify and assess issues with current training but most importantly lobby for change.

For those that are yet to complete it, please find it here.

BW

Tom.

COVID-19 Resources

Hi all,

We hope everyone is holding up ok in these uncertain times.

Practicing Medicine and Cardiology in these times are challenging. There's ever changing information about the coronavirus and how to protect ourselves and our patients.

Here are a couple of links to the BCS and ESC hubs which aim to provide the latest updates on COVID-19.

If you prefer to read about it, BCS has some of the latest articles in their COVID-19 Clinicians Resource Hub.
Or if you prefer to watch/listen to some expert discussions, the ESC resource on COVID-19 and Cardiology may be for you.

Exactly what you were looking for to occupy your time in this era of social distancing.


Tom and I are always here for a chat via phone, e-mail, Whatsapp, Zoom, Houseparty etc...

Stay safe and stay sane fellow Wessex Cardiology Trainees.

BW,
Kri and Tom

Training Update.

Dear all,

These are very challenging and stressful times we are working in.
Training has been put on hold, we are working in rapidly changing environments many of which we have had very little exposure to previously. More and more is expected of us on a daily basis and covering colleagues absence is needed at very short notice.

The above being said I have been incredibly impressed at the way cardiology trainees across the region have been mucking in as a cohort and looking out for each other.

Both Kri and myself are always here for a freindly phonecall/skype if needed, or a 2m away cup of coffee if you are working in the same hospitals as us!

On a more formal note all training days are suspended until further notice. Official guidance on ARCPs/PYAs will follow over the coming weeks.

Keep safe, go easy and drop us a line at any time.

BW
Kri and Tom.

Pulmonary Hypertension Study Day 10/06/20

Dear all,

There is an upcoming study day on Pulmonary Hypertension at UHS on 10th June. This is FREE to attend.
Please see here for the flyer.
Email phstudyday@uhs.nhs.uk to sign up.

BW
Tom.

South Coast Heart Failure Meeting 24/03/2020 - NEXT TRAINING DAY.

Dear all,

The South Coast Heart Failure Meeting will be held at the Haven Hotel in Sandbanks on 24/03/2020.
Registration has closed but there are a few places left!

The preliminary agenda can be found here.

If interested, please email Amanda Avey at amanda.avey@poole.nhs.uk with the completed Registration Form.

Regards,
Kri

Evening Meeting 9th March.

Dear all,

For those attending the next evening meeting regarding ARCP changes on 9th March at The Stable Winchester please see here for the agenda. 1900 start.

There are a couple of places still available. If you would like to attend email me at gilpintr4290@doctors.org.uk

BW
Tom.

BSE Update and EXAM CHANGES.

Dear all,

The BSE have released new guidelines for cardiac dimensions and function which will have a knock on effect on the written and practical exams along with logbook documentation.

Find the published guidelines here.

See below for the advice regarding examination changes.

BW
Tom.

"The new normal reference ranges for adult transthoracic echocardiography will be published in Echo Research and Practice in February 2020.

The publication of the new normal dataset will not affect the Spring written exam in March 2020. Use of the new reference range will come into force for the Autumn written exam in October 2020 and knowledge of the parameters will therefore be required.

Practical examination submissions for viva cases will also need to reflect these new ranges from October 2020 onwards. Any cases brought for viva assessment to a practical examination after this date must be reported in accordance with the new reference ranges. The date on which the images were recorded does not affect this.

Log-books will be expected to reflect the new guidelines ONLY where a case is collected after the publication of the new guidelines in Echo Research and Practice.  Up to six months lead time will be allowed to respect the variation in rate of change to departmental working practice."

"Innovation in hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis", Birmingham Crowne Plaza, Friday 24th April 2020.

Dear all,

There is an upcoming study day on transthyretin amyloidosis in Birmingham that is free to attend, particularly relevant to HF and imaging trainees. Please see here for the agenda.

BW
Tom.

Hampshire Heart Failure Meeting - 03/03/20

Dear All,

The next Hampshire Heart Failure meeting is being held on the 3rd March at The Bridge Street Tavern in Winchester.
Portsmouth are leading this meeting.

Agenda.
19:00 - 19:20: E-Referral and HF triage - Dr Chahal
19:20 - 19:40: Frailty and HF - Dr Guha
19:40 - 20:00: Case - Karen Darroch
20:00 Dinner.

Please email Hayley Allen at hayley.allen@servier.com if you would like to attend.
Deadline 25/02/20.

BW
Tom.

New Trainee Rep - Election Result

Dear All,

After a really close election, Kri Loganath received the most votes and so will take on the role of trainee rep from today.  I just want to say thank you to Alex and Gautam for putting themselves forwards.

I also wanted to say that it has been a real pleasure to be a trainee rep in Wessex, thank you all for the opportunity.  A big thank you to Jonathan Hinton and Tom Gilpin who were absolutely fantastic to work with. 

Good luck Tom and Kri - you'll be awesome.

That's all from me!  Always happy to be contacted if I can be of any help to anyone.

Hannah x

New Trainee Rep.

Dear all,

A reminder that voting for the next trainee rep closes this Sunday 16th February at 17:00.

The statements from the candidates can be found previously on the blog.

Email Hannah at hannah.sinclair1@nhs.net with your vote.

BW
Tom.

Evening Meeting and ARCP changes - IMPORTANT.

Dear all,

There are upcoming changes to the ARCP process, how it will be run/what is required from trainees. This will impact ALL SpRs pre CCT with an NTN in Wessex.

With this in mind I have organised an evening meeting on 09/03/2020 at which Dr John Paisey will be giving a presentation on what is required.

It is strongly suggested that all trainees make an effort to attend.

Venue:          The Stable, Winchester. SO23 9EX.
Date/Time:   09/03/2020 - 19:00 arrival.
Sponsored by Bayer.

If you would like to sign up, email me at gilpintr4290@doctors.org.uk.

BW
Tom.

ECHO Survey.

Dear all.

A reminder that the ECHO survey is still running. Want training to change? Then complete the survey.
Find it here.

Results to be presented at the upcoming STC meeting.

BW
Tom.

Trainee Rep Elections

Dear All,

I am really pleased to say that three trainees including Gautam Sen, Krithika Loganath and Alex Bates have all put themselves forwards for the position of trainee rep alongside Tom Gilpin.  Please see below their manifestos.

Please email me on hannah.sinclair1@nhs.net with the name of the person you would like to vote for.  Obviously you can only vote once.  The deadline for voting is Sunday 16th February 17:00.  The result will go out on the blog Monday 17th Feb.

Whatever the result, thank you to all three trainees who have put themselves forwards for the role.

Gautam Sen ST5

1) Why I would make a good trainee representative

Those of you who know me know that I am approachable, meticulous about organisation and supportive. It's with this in mind that I am putting myself forward as trainee representative. I am enthusiastic and committed to improving the quality and nature of our training in Wessex; having previously represented trainees at a regional and local level.  

More recently, having gained experience of managing and leading the on-call registrar rota in two different hospitals, as a Royal College of Physicians Associate Tutor and as a result of having improved our educational experiences in two different trusts, I already possess the skills needed to excel at this role and have a clear agenda to improve training for cardiology registrars across Wessex.

If I am appointed I will ensure that trainees interests and concerns are prioritised and recognised in full; and will ensure that I represent our collective voice accordingly. 

2) How I want to improve training in Wessex

Echo - I know many of us are frustrated by the regional variation in access to appropriate training. I want to work with the deanery to provide bleep-free echo time and have better access to outpatient lists.

ARCP - There is a lack of clarity around ARCP processes, particularly in relation to the essential competencies at the end of each year of training. I want to increase the transparency and create a comprehensive list regarding what is needed at each stage of training.

Procedural Skills - I am aware that developing appropriate skills in temporary pacing and pericardiocentesis can be difficult and largely opportunistic and I plan to arrange simulation sessions for these skills in order to obtain the necessary sign off.

Teaching Programme - I will continue to develop our excellent Wessex teaching programme by adding sessions which can be directly linked to our curriculum

Krithika Loganath ST3

ST3 Cardiology in Dorset County Hospital

1)  Why I would make a good trainee representative

Being a junior registrar, I believe I bring a fresh perspective to Cardiology training with the foundation of experience in leadership and management across different deaneries. I am currently on the Trainee Committee for the British Society of Cardiac Imaging (BSCI), helping to manage the website and assist in the preparations in the run up to the annual meeting this March. Prior to that, from 2017-2019 I was the Core Medical Training Representative in UHS, working to standardize training opportunities across different rotations. I had also been actively involved with the Peninsula Foundation School Quality Panels, independently assessing and feeding back foundation trainees’ experiences across different specialties. In a more social context, I was also the Derriford Hospital Mess Secretary in 2016/17.

On a personal level, I am a very friendly and approachable person who is always happy to help. I have never shied away from speaking up for the concerns of trainees at the local and regional level, and if elected will continue to do so at a national level as well on behalf of Wessex Cardiology trainees.

2) What I want to do to improve trainees experience in Wessex

Training opportunities are always at the forefront of any trainees experience. Following on from the recent survey, there is a need to improve echo and cross sectional imaging training in the deanery. 

If elected, I would aim to get protected time for echo training, particularly in the early registrar years as mandatory across all trusts in the deanery. In addition, I would like to establish a taster week in cross sectional imaging for trainees in smaller trusts to ensure early exposure to this as well as increasing ease of access to Level 1 CT training.

It would also be one of my aims to highlight to trainees, early in training, the key training strengths of each trust so professional goals can be achieved throughout the years.

Finally, I would aim to continue to improve on the safe and supportive network of trainees in Wessex with the establishment of a mentorship programme for trainees who would like additional support. This could be pastoral or professional from either more senior trainees or consultants in informal manner.

Alex Bates ST5

Why I would make a decent trainee representative

With the integration of IMT and dual accreditation of GIM, we will have significant changes in our training and curriculum.  Good representation is important to ensure this is a smooth process.

I fit as a trainee representative through extensive previous experience, organisational abilities and complimenting Tom’s skills.

My previous experience as a RCP associate college tutor.  Here, I created monthly CMT teaching sessions, and organised a 4-day deanery wide PACES course with outstanding feedback.  I represented CMTs to the board in Derriford Hospital and across the deanery, particularly standing up against cancellation of training days.

Having been a SpR in Wessex for 2.5 years, I have worked across 3 hospitals clinically (IOW, Dorchester, RBH) and am now OOPR in UHS.  I am aware of the good, and bad of each of these hospitals, none of which Tom has been to – complimenting his experiences excellently. 

As a new father I am acutely aware of the life changes and challenges this brings, something that many of us will experience in our time as an SpR.

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What I want to do to improve trainee experiences in Wessex

IMT is happening and it will affect our training and sign off.   We cannot ignore or be dismissive of internal medicine.  We need to be aware who will need to dual accredit and specifically how to achieve this alongside our challenging curriculum, procedural competencies, and separate rotas in RBH / QAH / UHS.  I would ensure you are aware of sign off requirements, and our inevitable challenges communicated to the internal medicine TPD. 

ECHO is a core skill and BSE accreditation mandatory in Wessex.  However, it is often overlooked in exchange for service provision or building lab competencies.  I would advocate for protected ECHO training time in ST3/4 to push accreditation ASAP.

Our training days are often excellent to the point where trainees from outside the deanery have attended them.  I would continue to push the high quality of these and involve trainees with specific interests to assist in their organisation to help build CVs.

Finally, I would highlight resources and opportunities on our website for you to access.  e.g. ACHD e-modules, device e-modules, fellowships, research opportunities