London School of Anaesthesia

Introduction

The London School of Anaesthesia is responsible for the delivery and quality assurance of training in Core Anaesthesia, Acute Care Common Stem Anaesthesia, Higher Anaesthesia across the whole of London. The School has more than 800 trainees and offers programmes at prestigious teaching centres across the capital.

Vision

The London School of Anaesthesia mission is three-fold:

to inspire excellence among our trainees
to ensure our patients receive the highest standard of clinical care
to inspire all disciplines linked with our specialties to perform to the highest standards

We offer the highest quality of anaesthesia and ICM training and provide our trainees with the skills and experience needed to meet the challenges and demands of the NHS today and tomorrow.

Head of School

Dr Aasifa Tredray MB ChB FRCA, started working as Head of School for Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine in February 2021. She continues as Head of School of Anaesthesia following the creation of a separate School for Intensive Care Medicine in London in 2022.

She graduated from the University of Sheffield Medical School in 1996, where she started her Anaesthetic career. She moved to London in 2001 and completed her anaesthetic training in South West London and has been a Consultant Anaesthetist at St George's University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust since 2006.

Her clinical areas of interest are in Airway and Regional Anaesthesia. Educationally she has been an Advanced Module Lead, Educational Supervisor, College Tutor and most recently the Lead and Higher Training Programme Director for South West London and the South London Anaesthetic Programme Specialist Training Committee Chair.

Dr Tredray's vision is to continue delivering the high standard of training and education for all Anaesthetic trainees across London so that they are ready for their future roles as consultants. She wants all trainees to feel valued, supported, celebrated in excellence, and treated equally and fairly in an open and transparent manner.

"I look forward to continuing the work of my predecessors and taking the London School of Anaesthetics into the future."

Deputy Head of School

Dr Carlos Kidel is a consultant anaesthetist based in The Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust in North London.

He graduated from The University of Manchester having done an undergraduate degree in Physiology at The University of Edinburgh previously. He initially worked in South Manchester and then returned to his roots in North London for his anaesthetic training in the North Central rotation.

He was briefly the College Tutor before becoming Core or Stage 1 TPD for anaesthetics from 2014 to 2022 when he was appointed to work in a new role as Deputy Head of School alongside Dr Adrienne Stewart.

He is the CPEOD lead in his NHS trust, has an interests in Obstetric Anaesthesia, anaesthesia for major complex surgery and provides a truly perioperative service buy running pre assessment clinics and staffing the Post Anaesthetic Care Unit.

He loves outdoor life and ‘encourages’ any trainees based at Royal Free to incorporate a team run on Hampstead Heath as part of their commute to work.

He is delighted to have the opportunity to work with Drs Tredray and Stewart to shape and evolve the high quality training of anaesthetists in London.

Deputy Head of School

Dr Adrienne Stewart

Training Programmes

The London School of Anaesthesia is comprised of two Anaesthetic training programmes, one in North London and one in South London. We train anaesthetists based in all geographical areas of London. Working in world-renowned centres of excellence, trainees have an unparalleled opportunity to participate in every possible range, type, and specialty of anaesthetic practice. Programmes are led by enthusiastic, experienced and committed trainers. The diverse nature of London's population offers unique clinical challenges and the opportunity to work in a variety of clinical contexts. These include district general hospitals, dedicated ambulatory care centres, teaching hospitals, research units and specialist internationally renowned centres including Great Ormond Street Hospital, Queen’s Square, UCLH, Bart’s Health, St George’s Hospital, Guys and St Thomas' Hospital, King’s College Hospital, Imperial, and Queen Charlotte’s Hospital.

The School works closely with its constituent programmes of ICM, the Royal College of Anaesthetists and Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine to take maximum advantage of the excellent resources and opportunities London has to offer. We are enhancing access to state-of-the-art simulation centres to provide additional training opportunities and we offer a range of didactic teaching and training courses. Trainees sit on the Anaesthetic Specialty Training Committees and elect representatives to sit on the board of the London School of Anaesthesia. We believe training in the London School of Anaesthesia represents an opportunity to become part of a world-class scheme that will benefit not only our patients but generations of trainees to come.

For more information regarding the North London and South London Anaesthetics Programme and ICM Programme please click on the links below:

Other Quick Links

ARCPs

Regional Training Days

RCOA Website

School Structure

London School Anaesthesia

Head of School- Dr Aasifa Tredray

Deputy Head of School – Adrienne Stewart & Carlos Kidel

London Anaesthesia Specialty Training Committees (STC)
North London Anaesthetic Programme			South London Anaesthetic Programme
North West TPDs	North Central TPDs	North East TPDs	South East TPDs	South West TPDs
Ruth Bedson(S1) Phillip Peel(S2) Amardeep Riyat (S3) Regional Advisor - Sian Jagger	Abigail Whiteman(S1) Kate Sherratt(S2) Trudi Young(S3) Regional Advisor- Sonia Brocklesby	Naomi Hancox(S1) Stephen Hallworth(S2 & S3) Regional Advisor- Roger Cordery	Marina Choudhury(S1) Dev Mahtani (S2 & S3) Regional Advisor- Oliver Rose	Adam Shonfield(S1) Daniela Mathew(S2) Anna Walton(S3) Regional Advisor – Rene Suite

Pan London and KSS Advanced Pain Training- London and KSS Pain Training Advisory Group (LKPTAG) Pain Training Programme Director- Fauzia Hasnie

Faculty of Pain Medicine Regional Advisors- North London: Ashish Shetty, South London and KSS: Sandesha Kothari

Pan London Anaesthetic Educational Delivery TPDs – Gunjeet Dua, Emilie Martinoni Hoogenboom

Pan London Anaesthetic Simulation Leads – Janis Ferns, Ching Pang

Pan London Anaesthetic Academic Training Programme Director – Gudrun Kunst

Pan London Anaesthetic Less Than Full Time Training Advisor and SRTT Champion – Anna Fowler

School Trainee Reps and HEE Education Fellows

Pan London HEE Funded Anaesthesia Associate Training Programme - AA Training Lead – Dan Heaton, AA Ambassador – Frances Marfleet

Anaesthetics Health Education Team

Service Delivery Manager (SDM)- Erinn Middleton, Operations Manager (OM) - Maurean Austin ICM and KSS Officer - Deborah Bunce

Email: england.anaes.lase@nhs.net (trainer enquires), PSP link: https://lasepgmdesupport.hee.nhs.uk/support/home (trainee enquiries)

North London Anaesthetic Programme

North London Officer – Kelvin Carrasco

Administrators - Ben Owusu-Ansah (NE & NW), Mubeen Akhtar (NC)

South London Anaesthetic Programme

South London and Pain Officer - Claire Bowden

South London Administrator - Mohammed Rayhan (Rayhan)

Lead Trainee Representatives

Jonathon Kaberry:

I am currently CT2 in North West London. My first degree was in Geography at the University of St Andrews, I then worked for several years in the Tech industry before applying to Graduate Medicine. I have keen interest in trainee wellbeing and simulation training. Outside of anaesthesia I can be found either at the theatre, spending time with my increasing number of god children, or cooking a mean Shepherd’s pie.

Rana Mallah;

I am a core anaesthetic CT3. I grew up in South West London and couldn’t resist the opportunity to return for anaesthetic training.

I have a strong interest in enhancing the trainee experience and improving access.

Academic

Pan-London Academic Training Programme Director in Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine

Dr Gudrun Kunst, MD, PhD (habil.), EDAIC, FRCA, FFICM started working as the Pan-London Academic TPD in 2019.

She trained at Heidelberg University Hospital and at the Royal Brompton Hospital in London and she has been a Consultant Anaesthetist at King’s College Hospital since 2004. Her clinical interests include cardiovascular anaesthesia and anaesthesia for day surgery procedures.

She was promoted to Professor of Cardiovascular Anaesthesia at King’s College London in 2020. Her research interests include perioperative organ protection and biomarkers for acute organ failure.

Gudrun is an examiner for the Primary FRCA, where she is Deputy Lead of the OSCE Working Party. She is the Scientific Officer and the Treasurer of the Association of Cardiothoracic Anaesthetists and Critical Care (ACTACC).

She was awarded two prestigious national research prizes in anaesthesia: the Royal College of Anaesthetists (RCoA) – NIHR Senior Research Clinician Prize in 2017 and the RCoA Macintosh Professorship in 2019.

Internationally, Gudrun is a Board Member of the European Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion (EBCP), and she chairs the Cardiopulmonary Bypass Committee of the European Association of Cardiothoracic Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care (EACTAIC) and the Scientific Committee of EBCP.

Patient outcomes are better at research-active hospitals. Professor Kunst has the vision of broad acceptance and maximal supportive structures for clinical research by academic and clinical trainees towards excellence in research projects for the benefit of our patients.

For further information about Academic please click here.

Recommendation to the Specialty Register

If you are eligible to apply for entry to the Specialist Register with a CCT or a CESR(CP) the College will notify the General Medical Council (GMC) of your completion of training date during your final year of training. The GMC will then invite you to make an application roughly about four months before your completion of training date.

The award of a CCT and inclusion on the Specialist Register are not automatic procedures; you (the trainee) are required to apply for your CCT or CESR(CP) Certificate. It is a legal requirement for you to be on the Specialist Register before taking up a substantive or honorary NHS consultant post.

Visit the RCOA website for more information.

2021 (current) curriculum

The Stage 3 certificate in the 2021 curriculum replaces the previous Notification of Completion of Training form. Anaesthetists in training should complete the Stage 3 certificate, detailing the time spent in each SIA (rotations can be combined). Please ensure that these posts total 12 months (WTE) and are accurately recorded on the Stage 3 certificate. The date on this certificate and the final ARCP outcome 6 should match their prospective completion date
The Training department will contact anaesthetists in training 4 months before their CCT date to confirm their details, including CCT date and specialty (Anaes, Dual ICM, Anaes with PHEM). Anaesthetists in training have one month to respond if corrections are needed and to provide any further information regarding changes to their programme
If these details are correct, no action is required. After one month, the Training department will notify the GMC and the anaesthetist in training will receive an email detailing next steps.

For those completing on the 2021 curriculum, you can still submit a Notification of Completion of Training form, especially for those trainees who have had a complex transition or completed the Stage 3 certificate before the SIA fields were added. This will still trigger the review process at the College.

Please ensure that the following are completed on LLP for 2021 curriculum trainees:

Either Higher ICM CUT form or Stage 2 ICM HALO
Stage 3 Certificate, with all 14 HALOs signed off
12 months WTE of training time in SIAs recorded accurately
Acceptance of the final ARCP outcome form

Similar to the 2010 curriculum, all ARCP outcome forms should be on LLP, including those that were completed as PDF or paper documents. For missing forms, the School or Deanery administrator may be able to assist. Please inform the College if a start date for a substantive consultant post has been set.

This information is also available in the “Recommendation to the Specialist Register” section on the College website.

Other Useful Information:

You can apply to act up as a Consultant for a maximum of 3/12 in your last year of training. This can count for training. Although this is not in a HEE numbered post there is still a requirement for a nominated supervisor. Information on acting up is available here. Applications should normally reach the relevant HEE local office a minimum of sixteen weeks prior to the proposed start date of the ‘Acting Up’ arrangement (in line with contractual notice periods) to meet Code of Practice requirements, however this notice period may be waived in exceptional circumstances and in agreement with the relevant Trust(s) and Postgraduate Dean. Trainees and Trusts are encouraged to have discussions as early as possible to facilitate the approval process, upon identification of acting up opportunities

You can interview for a Consultant post so long as the interview date is within 6/12 of your CCT date. CCTs will not be brought forward to allow application for a Consultant post.

You do not need to resign your HEE number. This will happen automatically on your CCT date. If this is part way through a placement and you intend to finish on your CCT date, you will need to give appropriate notice to the Trust (usually 3/12, but check with the Trust) of your last day of work.

You are entitled to 6/12 of grace period (HEE placement) after your CCT. You retain your CCT number but you will be in the post for service and are not entitled to OOP or IDT or an SIA. If you wish to take up your grace period you will need to notify your TPD at least 6/12 before your CCT date. Trainees in-programme will be prioritised for placement according to their training needs. You will be offered choice once all the in-programme trainees have been placed. Should you wish to leave your scheduled grace period early you will need to notify your TPD and give the Trust appropriate notice period (3/12 usually).

Study Leave

HEE London have published lists per specialty on the PGMDE Support Portal which details the courses each School considers mandatory to support curriculum requirements and those that are optional.

For more information about Study Leave - click here.

The London School of Anaesthesia & ICM course list can be found here

In the event you wish to undertake a course outside the mandatory and optional lists please make a prospective application following the Aspirational Course process. This includes seeking support from your TPD. Please email the TPD and include the points below which provides details of the course, estimated costs and justification for attending the course and justification if it is outside of London. If your TPD approves your request then it will be sent to the HoS/DHoS for approval before final approval is given. If at any point along the approval process your request is declined you will be emailed and informed why.

Details to be included for ASPIRATIONAL STUDY LEAVE REQUEST

Name of course

Course location

Course dates

Course fees

Estimated travel/accommodation expenses

Justification for attending the course*, linked to trainee’s PDP and learning objectives and confirmation that the trainee has not already received funding for an international event during the current period of training (i.e. Foundation or core or higher training programmes, trainees in run through or dual programmes can apply for international events every 3 years as a maximum)

Justification for attending a course located outside of London, Kent, Surrey & Sussex.

* Please note that trainees seeking leadership training should in the first instance be encouraged to access the free NHS Leadership Academy Edward Jenner or the LEEP programme delivered by an NHS Trust or HEE and should only consider any other options when these courses are not available. Please confirm you have explored these options in your application.

Less Than Full Time Training (LTFT)

We are committed to providing increased flexibility in postgraduate education and welcome applications from Anaesthesia trainees wishing to apply for less than full time (LTFT) training. There are a number of different grounds you can apply under, further information on LTFT can be found here.

The aims of LTFT training are to facilitate work life balance and to provide opportunities to develop other skills/experiences with many of our trainees being both LTFT and full time during the total period of their training.

In the most recent Post Graduate Medical Education Gold Guidelines, 9^th edition, categories have now been replaced by criteria when applying for LTFT training. These criteria, and the process for applying to be a LTFT trainee are outlined on the PGMDE Support Portal in the LTFT section (lasepgmdesupport.hee.nhs.uk).

However, it is important if you wish to consider applying for LTFT training to discuss as soon as possible your intentions with your TPD (training programme director)/college tutor/ES (educational supervisor), so they can ensure that the LTFT training options enhance your training and guide you with your application (both anaesthetics and ICU if a dual speciality trainee). Please also remember your end of Stage 1 date and CCT date will change when you commence LTFT training, and you can recalculate these dates by following the guidance on the RCoA website. https://www.rcoa.ac.uk/managing-cct-dates

LTFT applications for trainees with the following criteria: parental care; disability or ill health; caring responsibilities can be applied for at any point in training. Please apply at least 16 weeks in advance of your intended start date. A start date of less than 16 weeks will only be considered in exceptional circumstances.

Trainees applying for all other criteria must ensure their application for LTFT training are submitted during the set time frame windows (see lasepgmdesupport.hee.nhs.uk) according to rotation start dates, this is in part to enable sufficient time to inform Trusts if a trainee will be training LTFT. Rotation windows for the London School of Anaesthesia trainees are February and August only.

For more information and to submit an application, please click here

The LTFT TPD for London School of Anaesthesia will provide any support or advice relating to LTFT training to both the trainee and the trainer.

Dr Anna Fowler: annamarie.fowler@nhs.net

OOP (Out of Programme)

The London School of Anaesthesia is highly supportive of trainees wishing to take a period of time out of programme to develop themselves further. There are multiple forms of OOP trainees can undertake which should be discussed as early as possible with your Training Programme Director (both programme TPD's should be informed if you are a dual specialty trainee). For details of the OOP types and further guidance please click here

School specific OOP guidance has been produced to help support conversations with your TPD and navigate the application process successfully. Please see below:

OOP guidance for Anaesthetic Trainees and Training Programme Directors

This information has been created to provide Anaesthetic trainees and TPDs with guidance surrounding OOP applications in London so there is a more transparent, and equitable process for all. This guidance has been updated in 2023 and is a summary of the current OOP guidance that exists and can be found in the Gold Guide v9, RCOA website, HEE website and PGMDE support portal.

PG Deans have discretion to consider exceptional circumstances and approve more than 1 OOP period for sound educational reasons. PG Deans can also consider exceptional circumstances and approve OOP periods longer than the normal time periods.

TPD’s should discuss such exceptional cases or any trainee that needs a more bespoke plan, with the Head of School in advance of application.

General considerations:

Trainees must complete the last 6 months of their CCT training, in the UK.
OOP will not normally be agreed until a trainee has been in a training programme for at least one year of specialty training.
OOPC’s and OOPP’s are available to all trainees.
OOP’s that are requested during stage 1 training will only be considered for exceptional circumstances/opportunities and cannot count towards training.
It is possible to apply for an OOP in stage 2 training. Trainees who are wanting to do this, should discuss this with their TPD in advance of applying.
Trainees who are dual ICM/Anaesthetics will need approval from both their ICM and Anaesthetic TPD’s.
Trainees who are undertaking Advanced Pain Training will need approval from their Pain TPD as well if the OOP will disrupt their Advanced Pain training plans.

Please provide your TPD with a detailed breakdown of the fellowship you are applying for, together with details of any other past OOP time you have taken.

If you want to apply for an OOP, but the job advertisement or interview falls within the 6 months’ notice period, please discuss this with your TPD and apply for the OOP in advance to meet the required notice period. The OOP review panel can approve the OOP application, noting that this is pending successful outcome at interview.

Dual Trainees:

Please note there are some differences between the guidance issued by the RCOA and FICM so please refer to their websites for further information.

Please discuss any OOP aspirations with your ICM TPD and your Anaes TPD early as both programmes will need to support the OOP application.

OOPs that are counting towards training:

With the introduction of the 2021 Curriculum, the RCOA has changed the process.

OOPTs cannot be taken in Stage 1 or Stage 2 of training.

Only 12 months (whole time equivalent) in total during ST6-7 can count towards training.

An OOPT placement will count towards the CCT provided the following conditions and requirements are met:

on commencing OOPT the anaesthetist in training must be in a GMC approved training programme having completed stage 1 and stage 2 of training in their entirety. This does not preclude setting up and planning an OOPT during stage 2.
only 12 months (whole time equivalent) in total during stage 3 can be taken as OOPT.
the OOPT programme must map to capabilities identified in the stage 3 and/or special interest area(s)
the OOPT post must be prospectively approved by the GMC with support from the Postgraduate Dean and College(s) (a minimum of 3 months should be allowed for GMC approvals processes)
OOPT must be undertaken in clinical posts locally indicated as being suitable for training.
the last 6 months of the CCT training programme normally should be in the UK.
on return, the anaesthetist in training must complete a report on the time spent on OOPT and submit it, together with an assessment report from the local supervisor to the School and the College’s Training Department. Until this report has been received and reviewed the College cannot confirm time spent on OOPT towards a CCT
If you are a dual Trainee, you will need to apply for prospective approval from RCOA and FICM

The consideration of whether the School can support applications for OOP time to count towards training (OOPT) will depend on the circumstance of the training programme. Time can be counted towards training if:

Training module is not offered in training programme.
Training module available in the training programme but oversubscribed.
Highly specialised training not available in UK
Highly specialised training available in the UK but oversubscribed.
Overseas training offers a different perspective to the area of clinical practice than in the UK.

Please note that if a trainee applies for an OOPT when the training offered is available in the training programme (for example the training is offered via the SIA process), the school will not support trainees counting any of the fellowship time towards training (it will be approved as an OOPE).

Time out of programme for research (OOPR):

OOPR is research taken out of programme. In certain instances, it is possible for some time to count towards training. The same rules apply as for OOPT (above) in additional to the following:

For stage 3 trainees, up to 12 months (whole time equivalent) of research can be counted towards the CCT, provided there is a clinical element to the programme (this includes out of hours duties within the NHS hospital where the anaesthetist in training is based for their research time).
If there is no clinical element to the research programme, a maximum of 6 months only will count towards the CCT.
6 months of research can be counted towards the stage 3 Research and Managing Data domain of learning as well as the SIA in this area. If there is an appropriate clinical element to the OOPR, a further 6 months may be counted towards stage 3 capabilities in other areas.
Stage 2 Trainees undertaking an OOPR may be able to count 6 months of time to support stage 2 training if there is a suitable clinical element to the programme (this includes out of hours duties within an NHS hospital where the anaesthetist in training is based for their research time) and count 6 months towards a generic professional Special Interest Area in research in stage 3. Please discuss this with your TPD first if you would like to consider this as an option.
When planning an OOPR, anaesthetists in training are advised to consider complementary areas and capabilities of stage 3 that may also be evidenced.

Time out of programme for non-clinical Special Interest Area (SIA) training:

It is possible to undertake training in a non-clinical special interest area during Stage 3 which may count towards training if this training is not offered within the training programme.

Up to 6 months of SIA time can be used to complete SIAs that relate to generic professional domains of learning in any one of the following: Management and Professional and Regulatory Requirements, Safety and Quality Improvement, Education and Training, Research and Managing Data.
When planning non-clinical SIA training, anaesthetists in training should consider complementary areas and capabilities of stage 3 that may also be evidenced.

Fellowships abroad:

The School will support stage 3 trainees who are applying to count time towards training for a fellowship abroad as they provide additional experience not available within the UK. Please refer to the OOPT section above for further information. However, please note trainees must complete the last 6 months of their CCT training, in the UK.

RCOA OOPT Application Form and RCOA Return to training OOPT report:

https://www.rcoa.ac.uk/training-careers/training-anaesthesia/flexibility-training

School ARCP information if you are on an OOP:

https://london.hee.nhs.uk/specialty-schools/anaesthesia/anaesthesia-arcps/

Reference documents:

https://www.copmed.org.uk/gold-guide/gold-guide-9th-edition

https://london.hee.nhs.uk/specialty-schools/anaesthesia

https://london.hee.nhs.uk/medical -training/trainee -resources/out -programme

https://www.rcoa.ac.uk/documents/guide-anaesthetics-training-handbook/out-programme

Please be aware that any OOP requires prospective formal agreement of the PG Dean and applications must be submitted at least six months in advance of the anticipated start date. The London School of Anaesthesia uses specific OOP windows to review all applications as detailed here.

OOP Application Windows

Windows	OOP start date	Deadline for Applications OOPs - at least 6 months in advance	OOP window for HoS, DHoS and TPDs
1	Beginning of February	Beginning of August	1^st 10 days of Sept
2	Beginning of May	Beginning of November	1^st 10 days of Nov
3	Beginning of August	Beginning of February	1^st 10 days of Feb
4	Beginning of November	Beginning of May	1^st 10 days of May

Aim:

To highlight that the application and extension deadline for an OOP period is 6 months in advance of the start date unless there are exceptional circumstances.
Enable Head of School and TPDs to have a face to face (online) conversation about any applications their trainees have made, and if necessary, discuss rotation capacity issues, access to posts across the programme etc.

If a trainee applies well in advance of the intended OOP start date. Their application will be added to next window.

If a trainee wants to apply for an OOP, but the job advertisement or interview falls within the 6 months’ notice period, the trainee should discuss this with their TPD and apply for the OOP in advance to meet the HEE notice period. The panel can approve the OOP application, noting that this is pending successful outcome at interview.

The Postgraduate Dean remains the Responsible Officer for Doctors in training on OOP and they will still require an annual ARCP. You should also ensure you are fully understanding of any impact OOP may have on your visa status, statutory rights, continuation of service and pension. The FAQ section on the PGMDE Support Portal can help with queries related to this and can be found click here.

For more information regarding OOP please click here.

There is now a separate process for LTFT applications. Please follow the LTFT guidance on the support portal. (https://lasepgmdesupport.hee.nhs.uk/support/solutions/articles/7000018502-when-can-i-apply-for-ltft-what-is-the-notice-period-)

Please click here for the OOP application form as well as the information about the OOP windows for 2024.

Specialty Bulletin

Please see link below for previous Anaesthetics bulletins:

October 22 Trainee bulletin

November 2022 Trainee Bulletin

Feb 2023 Trainee Bulletin

March 2023 - Trainee Bulletin

April 2023 - Trainee Bulletin

May 2023 - Trainee Bulletin

June 2023 - Trainee Bulletin

July 2023 - Trainee Bulletin

August 2023 - Trainee Bulletin

September 2023 - Trainee Bulletin

October 2023 - Trainee Bulletin

November 2023 - Trainee Bulletin

December 2023 - Trainee Bulletin

2024

February 2024 - Trainee Bulletin

March 2024 - Trainee Bulletin (ARCP info)

April 2024 - Trainee Bulletin

New Starter Trainee Induction

14/09/2023 - (Pan London) Anaesthetics Trainee Induction CT1 - CT4 New Starters

Stage 3 Special Interest Areas (SIAs)

Application Process for Special Interest Area Posts

The London School of Anaesthesia and Kent, Surrey & Sussex (KSS) School of Anaesthetics jointly provide over 120 Stage 3 special interest area (SIA) posts in 17 specialty areas across 30 different hospitals/trusts.

These SIA posts are split by region and available to trainees during their Stage 3 (ST6/7) years as follows:

Trainees in the three North London rotations (North East, North Central and North West) can only apply for any of the posts offered in the North London Anaesthetics Programme.
Trainees in the two South London rotations (South East and South West) and three KSS rotations (Kent, Surrey and Sussex) can only apply for any of the posts offered in the South London Anaesthetics Programme and KSS School of Anaesthetics.

Please refer to the two separate SIA Handbooks for full details of the individual SIA posts offered within these two regions.

Please read the following guidance carefully on the application and allocation process for posts commencing in August 2024 and February 2025.

Trainees can apply to undertake a maximum of 12 months (whole time equivalent) in SIA posts during their Stage 3 (ST6/7) years, as required by the curriculum.
Applications are open to ALL ST5+ trainees but you MUST have completed Stage 2 training and be ST6/7 (Stage 3) by the time of commencing the SIA post.
This is of particular relevance to LTFT trainees who should discuss their timelines with their TPDs to ensure that they apply for SIA posts commencing at the appropriate time.
Trainees can apply for a maximum of two SIAs: either two different specialties of 6 months duration each (whole time equivalent) or one specialty of 12 months duration (whole time equivalent).
- Single specialty 12 month SIAs are available in Anaesthesia for Cardiac Surgery, Anaesthesia for Neurosurgery, Obstetric Anaesthesia and Paediatric Anaesthesia.
- Trainees who wish to undertake 12 months of Anaesthesia for Cardiac Surgery, Anaesthesia for Neurosurgery or Obstetric Anaesthesia are generally advised to apply for two 6 month SIAs in these specialties at two different sites, to give a diversity of experience. Trainees considering one of these single specialty 12 month SIAs should discuss available options with their TPD prior to submitting their applications.
- Paediatric Anaesthesia 12 month SIA posts are only available at GOSH but trainees can also apply for two 6 month SIAs in Paediatric Anaesthesia at two different sites if they wish to.
Trainees must complete and submit an online application form to apply for the SIA posts.
- If applying for TWO 6 month SIAs, you will need to state which is your 1^st and 2^nd preference.
- If applying for only ONE SIA, you can still apply for two different SIAs (indicating which is your 1^st and 2^nd preference) in order to maximise your chances of success.
- For each SIA, you can then rank your preference for the sites at which the SIA is offered and omit those you do not want to be considered for.
- The link to the online application form will be emailed to all ST5+ trainees at the end of August 2023.
Applications will be assessed and scored on two components:
- A supporting personal statement for each SIA applied for, demonstrating why the trainee wishes to do that particular SIA and their commitment to that specialty (maximum of 200 words / maximum score of 20).
- Three supporting information statements for each SIA applied for, describing the trainees involvement in: (i) Teaching / Training, (ii) Audit / QI / Research, (iii) Management / Leadership (maximum of 150 words for each response / maximum score of 10 for each).

Please be aware of the following conditions that apply once you have been offered and confirmed acceptance of an SIA post:

A minimum notice period of 6 months from the start date of the SIA is required if you subsequently want to make changes or no longer wish to undertake the post i.e. by the end of January for August start date / by the end of July for February start date.
If a post is accepted as LTFT then it may not be possible to subsequently change the LTFT percentage or go full time. Any such requests will need to be discussed with your TPD to ascertain if it may be possible.
SIA posts can only be deferred to a future start date for the following statutory leave reasons:
- Maternity or shared parental leave
- Long-term sick leave

The deferred start date will be dependent on future availability of the same SIA and cannot be guaranteed if the future SIA posts are already allocated. In this case, an alternative SIA may need to be considered. Please discuss any deferral requests with your TPD as soon as possible.

Timetable for 2024 - 25 SIA Process

Application process for trainees will begin and stay open for 1 month.	1^st September – 30^th September
HET to send TPDs a list of their trainees that have applied for an SIA. TPDs to review and add in any relevant information.	First week of October
All applications received will be reviewed and HET will create a list of trainees that have applied for each SIA. TPDs will confirm information that needs to be sent to SIA leads.	First two weeks of October
Scores and rankings to be returned to HET and TPDs by SIA group leaders as soon as possible.	Mid October – Mid November
HET Officers to review scores and collate for TPDs	Mid November – 1^st December
TPD’s to review all information and allocate trainees to posts	1^st December – 18^th December
Trainees informed of allocations and asked to confirm their acceptance	Trainees informed – 1^st week of January Trainee deadline to confirm acceptance – 31^st January
Rotational grids sent to College Tutors who will then inform their SIA leads of trainee allocations.	April 2024 (for August intake) October 2024 (for February intake)

SIA Posts Application and Allocation Guidance Full-time & Less than full time (LTFT) Trainees

Please click here for SIA Posts application guidance for Full-time and LTFT Trainees.

Please read this guidance carefully in conjunction with the above when considering your SIA applications.

How to Apply

North London handbook and application form

Please click here for North London Anaesthetics SIA handbook.

For North London trainees kindly click here for the SIA application form.

South London and KSS handbook and application form

Please click here for South London and KSS Anaesthetics SIA handbook

For South London and KSS trainees kindly click here for the SIA application form.

Management of CCT dates

Calculation of CCT dates for trainees is now the responsibility of Schools of Anaesthesia, so please work with your TPDs to ensure this date is always remains accurate.

TPDs will communicate your calculated CCT date to the College through the ARCP outcome form and the confirmed CCT date will be visible on your Lifelong Learning Platform (LLP) on your profile page.

The College will provide CCT date calculations when requested from either a trainer or an anaesthetist in training, for e.g., to offer an objectively calculated CCT date, support for complex cases, or to provide retrospective date calculations for the purpose of consultant pay adjustment. There are also a series of existing processes, in which the College has a duty to review and approve changes to training programmes that may impact on CCT dates which are listed on the RCOA website.

The College does not prescribe methods for TPDs to calculate CCT dates. They have produced the RCoA CCT date calculator which can be used and this can be accessed by following this link. https://www.rcoa.ac.uk/managing-cct-dates

Educators Resources

The Healthcare Education Team (HET) are pleased to announce dates for the next set of TPD Development sessions. In response to feedback survey responses, we are retaining the modular programme of sessions which focus on where HET interacts with you and why processes/systems are the way they are. We will be delivering sessions online as the majority of TPDs found this worked better for managing their time. If you would like some in-person support, please contact your specialty’s team to arrange a time to meet up at our Canary Wharf office.

You are welcome to sign up for as many of the sessions as you think will be helpful; the sessions, dates and registration links are in the table below.

Newer TPDs are particularly encouraged to attend, as they are a good summary of the role, but more experienced TPDs are also welcome as a refresher on any area as they see fit.

Recorded sessions

All sessions will be recorded and made available to TPDs via the TPD Resources SharePoint site. This is available to all TPDs via their NHSE account; if you have difficulties accessing your NHSE account, please contact your specialty team.

Recordings from the 2022/23 season are already available in the folder and you are welcome to access these at any time. Most of the content from these sessions will not change for next year’s sessions so they remain very relevant.

Sessions, dates and registration links

Upon registering, please add the event to your calendar. We will send a calendar invitation approximately one week before the event with the joining details.

Session	Summary	Date/Time	Registration link
Rotations	The Code of Practice, timings, formulating grids and using the Trainee Information System (TIS)	6 February 2024 1100-1200	https://lasepgmdeevents.hee.nhs.uk/events/tpd-development-days/2d4fe58c-107b-4fd1-83cf-715f7a5a3411
Programme management	Covering a range of areas that make this challenging, includes: OOPs, LTFT, events (regional training days, STCs, school boards), finance	1 March 2024 1000-1200	https://lasepgmdeevents.hee.nhs.uk/events/tpd-development-days/1a7c8423-9a82-4deb-9916-df959c9e3586
ARCPs	How the process works and HET/TPD responsibilities (who does what). New content for 2024 is an increased focus on managing ARCP appeals	19 March 2024 1400-1600	https://lasepgmdeevents.hee.nhs.uk/events/tpd-development-days/41920476-0ca4-4441-9ccf-15e40d80003d
Recruitment	Declaring post numbers, supporting the assessment process and confirming new trainees	17 April 2024 1500-1600	https://lasepgmdeevents.hee.nhs.uk/events/tpd-development-days/96deaece-7688-402b-a7c3-3f0bc6780379
Trainees requiring additional support	The process and support available when a trainee is not progressing satisfactorily with their programme	16 May 2024 1500-1600	https://lasepgmdeevents.hee.nhs.uk/events/tpd-development-days/28e07a4d-e3fe-4343-8897-3f6930514f8f