Introduction
Welcome to the Pan-London Intensive Care Medicine LSICM webpage.
Whether you are considering a career in our exciting and rewarding speciality, planning to apply for ICM training in London, or are an existing London ICM Trainee/Trainer we hope you will find the information on our webpage helpful.
In addition to core information about training in London School of ICM you will be guided towards generic training related guidelines and resources to support you. The ICM Operations Team can help you with any unanswered queries you may have so please submit your questions through the support portal https://lasepgmdesupport.hee.nhs.uk/support/tickets/new?form_7=true
For up to date news related to the programme please don’t forget to take a look at our Bulletin (which is also regularly circulated to London ICM Trainees, Faculty Tutors and Regional Advisors by email).
Head of School
Dr Charlotte Anderson MBBS FRCA FFICM
Dr Anderson is a Consultant Intensivist at King's College Hospital, London having dual trained in Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine in London.
She was appointed as Head of School for Intensive Care Medicine (London) in September 2022 having previously held positions as Faculty Tutor for Intensive Care Medicine, Training Programme Director for Stage 2 and Stage 3 ICM, Lead Training Programme Director for ICM, Chair of the Pan-London ICM Specialty Training Committee, and Deputy Head of School for Anaesthesia and ICM.
Dr Anderson is passionate about the rich educational opportunities London has to offer in Intensive Care Medicine training and is privileged to work with educators across the Capital to provide training that not only prepares trainees for the Consultant role of today but also that of the future.
Stage 1 ICM Training Programme Director
Dr Jenny Townsend (Consultant in Intensive Care, Anaesthesia and Major Trauma, King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust)
Stage 2 ICM Training Programme Director & Operational Lead
Dr Russell Hewson (Consultant in Intensive Care & Anaesthesia, Bart’s Health NHS Trust)
Stage 3 ICM Training Programme Director
Dr Viplaw Shukla (Consultant Intensivist, Epsom & St Helier Hospital NHS Trust)
Simulation Training Lead
Dr David Melia (Consultant in Intensive Care Medicine & Anaesthesia, Whipp’s Cross University Hospital, Leytonstone)
Regional Training Events Lead
Dr Gonzalo De La Cerda (Consultant Intensivist, Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust)
London intensive Care Medicine Trainee Representatives
Jo-Anne Strul (j.strul@nhs.net)
I did my undergraduate training in South Africa, and moved to the UK post my Foundation Years. I started off doing Core Medicine, and then applied for the FICM programme. My intention is to dual train with Anaesthesia, and I’m in the process of applying for an Anaesthetics training number, to join in my ITU number. I work LTFT at 70% to try balance childcare and life. I have a particular interest in well-being (at work and in general) and enjoy travelling, mediation and yoga, running, scuba diving and cooking.
Alastair White (alastair.white@doctors.org.uk)
I’m a single-specialty ICM trainee having done my core training in Medicine. As a London trainee rep I’m particularly interested in preventing training inequalities throughout the region and between individuals. Optimising the feedback loop between trainees and educational leadership is also something I’d like to focus on so please email me if you think I can help.
Sittiga Hassan-Reshat (Tig) (sittiga.hassan-reshat@nhs.net)
I am a dual ICM/acute medicine trainee. I am well versed in most of the London Hospitals having grown up in London, studied at Barts and then spent my training rotating through the various London deaneries. I am currently working full time although as a mother of a toddler, I find I have little time for hobbies although I enjoy running, digital art and travelling. My hope is by being a trainee representative for ICM I can be a source of support for full-time/LTFT parents and also for dual medicine trainees, who may sometimes find the transition to ICM overwhelming.
About the Programme
The Pan-London Intensive Care Medicine programme provides high quality training in teaching centres throughout the Capital which equips trainees with the skills and experience needed to meet the challenges and demands of the NHS today and tomorrow. The diverse nature of London's population offers unparalleled clinical exposure. ICM trainees undertake training placements in world renowned centres of excellence across the capital including district general hospitals, teaching hospitals, research units and specialist tertiary referral hospitals.
The London programme has more than 200 trainees who enter higher specialist ICM training from core training programmes and equivalence pathways.
Both single and dual (anaesthesia, emergency medicine, renal, respiratory and acute medicine) specialty training are well represented and each trainee undertakes a bespoke and individually tailored programme designed to meet their training needs and personal career ambitions.
London ICM Training sites include:
- Barnet Hospital
- Charing Cross Hospital
- Chelsea and Westminster Hospital
- Great Ormond Street Hospital
- Guy's & St Thomas' Hospital
- Hammersmith Hospital
- Homerton University Hospital
- King's College Hospital
- Kingston Hospital
- National Hospital for Neurology & Neurosurgery, Queen Square
- Newham Hospital
- Northwick Park Hospital
- Queen's Hospital, Romford
- St Bartholomew's Hospital
- St George's Hospital
- St Helier Hospital
- St Mary's Hospital
- The Royal Brompton Hospital
- The Royal Free Hospital
- The Royal London Hospital
- The Royal Marsden Hospital
- University College London Hospital
- University Hospital Lewisham
- Whipps Cross Hospital
For more information on specific Intensive Care Units please refer to the FICM webpage here.
Annual recruitment to Intensive Care Medicine training in London is via the National Recruitment process run by HEE West Midlands (for August commencement at ST3+). For more information on eligibility criteria, the application and selection process please click here
Trainees intending to dual train must be appointed by each specialty programme within the London region in a stepped approach. Doctors will accept a National training Number (NTN) on one CCT programme at one recruitment episode (e.g. ICM in August 2022) before applying for another CCT programme at a second recruitment episode (e.g. Anaesthetics in August 2023). If you already hold a training number in ICM or a partner specialty and plan to apply for dual training please ensure you discuss this with your TPD in advance of making your application. Currently the GMC has approved 5 specialities for dual training with ICM:
- Acute Medicine
- Anaesthetics
- Emergency Medicine
- Renal Medicine
- Respiratory Medicine
The Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine has an excellent careers hub which provides comprehensive information on careers in Intensive Medicine, single and dual training in ICM and links to useful online resources to support you in career planning and applications to ICM training. Please click here for more information
The new ICM Curriculum: Supporting Excellence was implemented on 4th August 2021. All ICM Specialty Registrars (StRs) single CCT and dual, moved to the new ICM curriculum except for those within 12 calendar months of attaining their Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) who wished to remain on the 2010 Curriculum.
Information regarding the 2021 and previous ICM curricula (including transition guidance, key dates & documents) can be found on the FICM Website: https://www.ficm.ac.uk/trainingexamstrainingcurriculaandassessment/icm-curriculum
Please use this resource to ensure your are familiar with the curriculum and capability outcomes that need to be achieved and evidence in training.
In each training placement (whether an ICM or dual specialty post) trainees should be assigned and ICM educational supervisor (ES) who will be able to provide local support and guidance. They are responsible for the overall supervision and management of a doctor’s educational progress during a placement or a series of placements. Trainees should regularly meet with their ICM Educational Supervisor (at the start, middle and end of a placement as a minimum) to review progress and achievement of learning outcomes. They are also responsible for the educational agreement, and for bringing together all relevant evidence to form a summative judgement about progression at the end of the placement or a series of placements. If at any stage, you are concerned or running into difficulty please contact your ES, Faculty Tutor (FT) or TPD as soon as possible.
If you are a current ICM trainees and do not have an ICM Educational Supervisor, please contact the local ICM Faculty Tutor (FT) who will be able to help. Your Regional Advisor or TPD will be able identify the Faculty Tutor if needed.
Eportfolio
In tandem with the roll out of the 2021 ICM curriculum in August 2021 a new e-portfolio was introduced by FICM; the Lifelong Learning Platform (LLP). All trainees on the 2021 ICM Curriculum will need to record their training/progress on the LLP. For trainees transitioning from the 2010 Curriculum please be aware that documentation needs to be downloaded from NES by 31st December 2021 as FICM have indicated access for most people will cease on this date.
If you already have an LLP login and username (for example as an ACCS Anaes trainee or trainer) then you will need to contact the Faculty so that your ICM role can be added to your pre-existing account. This will mean that you do not need to log in and out of the LLP in order to access your different roles within it.
There are a number of excellent resources on the FICM website to help support your familiarisation with the LLP: https://www.ficm.ac.uk/ficm-lifelong-learning-platform
Exams
The FFICM examination is taken during stage two of training and must be completed before moving into stage three ICM training. The qualification comprises two parts – an MCQ and an OSCE/Structured Oral Examination. The full details including example questions, resources to support exam preparation, application deadlines and exam dates can be found on the Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine website.
Please click here for the FFICM examinations calendar
In addition to FICM, national and regional exam preparation courses ICM training departments also provide exam practice – please contact your local Faculty Tutor for further information.
It is a requirement of training programmes that an Annual Review of Competence Progression (ARCP) is undertaken each year. In London School of ICM, we try to align the timing of your annual ICM ARCP with critical progression points eg end of stage. This means your ARCP may not be at the end of an academic year. If you are a dual trainee, please also be aware you will have an ARCP in both specialities on an annual basis and only your ICM portfolio can be accessed and reviewed at the ICM ARCP. The ICM Operations Team will email you with the intended ARCP date and what information/evidence is required so please keep an eye out for this communication and read it carefully. All ICM ARCP’s are held in absentia.
Whilst the ARCP process can seem quite daunting, it should be relatively straightforward with steady preparation during each academic year. In addition to regular meetings with your Educational Supervisor (ES) we recommend liaising with them and your Faculty Tutor as soon as you are made aware of your ARCP date so they can support you in your ARCP preparation and compile & submit an Educational Supervisor’s Structured Report (ESSR) with plenty of notice.
The exact requirements for each year’s ARCP vary and will depend on your stage of training. These are outlined in the FICM checklist found here
For the purposes of revalidation you will also need to upload a form R which outlines your full scope of practice (including any additional work, paid or not, which requires GMC registration). This applies even if you are on statutory leave or out of programme.
Please note the following and avoid common pitfalls:
· You will receive a comprehensive email from the HEE Operations Team outlining what you need to submit for your ARCP. Please read this carefully and include everything detailed in the communication
· The Educational Supervisors Structured Report is a vital and essential piece of information which helps inform the ARCP panel and anything that needs to be viewed by the panel must be linked to the ESSR.
· Please be aware that the “Document Store” cannot be viewed ARCP panels
· The ESSR must cover the full date range from your previous ARCP – linked evidence outside the date range is not visible to an ARCP panel.
· Please ensure you link a logbook summary. The panel will want to view cumulative numbers of procedures and as well as numbers of procedures undertaken since your last ARCP. FICM has a number of recommended logbook resources: https://www.ficm.ac.uk/trainingexamslifelonglearning/logbook-resources
· All evidence INCLUDING FORM R must be linked before submission and Educational Supervisor & FT “sign off” otherwise it cannot be viewed by the ARCP panel.
Please ensure you upload the Form R itself (not the notification of completion of form R). The link to complete the Form R can be found in your ARCP invite
· If you are a Dual Anaesthesia/ICM trainee, please be aware that the panel can only view evidence in your ICM portfolio (even if you have linked it through from your anaesthesia portfolio to your ICM ESSR). Therefore, any evidence in your anaesthetic portfolio which needs to be reviewed by the ICM ARCP Panel needs to be loaded onto the ICM section of LLP and linked accordingly
· You will be notified via the Lifelong Learning Platform when your outcome form has been completed by the ARCP panel. Please remember to review this form and accept it. The panel will provide feedback on the form, please note any objectives and if a provisional next ARCP date under 1 year has been set by the panel. If you are unsure of any of the comments on the form or objectives that have been set, please discuss these with your TPD.
For more information on ARCP’s & FAQ’s please click here:
There are a number of steps you as the trainee will need to take in the lead up to, and after, completion of training in order to be added to the specialist register. Please click here for more information
Local arrangements to streamline process in London:
- Within 4 months of CCT/CESR-CP please complete the FICM notification of completion of training form (link above) and forward to your Stage 3 TPD.
- Towards the end of the CCT/CESR-CP training programme (usually within the last 3 months), you will undergo a final ARCP. If successful, an ICM ARCP Recommendation for Completion of Training (Outcome 6) will be logged by the panel on LLP.
- Once trainees have achieved an Outcome 6 at their ICM ARCP the trainee’s ICM Regional Advisor will complete the Stage 3 Certificate on their ICM e-portfolio.
- The stage 3 TPD will then complete the FICM notification of completion of training form including CCT date and forward to FICM with the trainee and the regional adviser in cc.
To expedite the process please avoid common mistakes by providing all the information requested on the notification form. Please ensure:
· All periods which contribute towards training are included NB this includes core training posts (which count towards the 4 years of stage 1). Dual Specialty Higher specialist Training placements also need to be included
· All periods of training are listed in chronological order
· Subspecialty 3 month Cardiac/Neuro and Paeds modules are clearly documented
· Special Skills Module training is included
Regional Training Days are organised by Health Education England and the Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine. There will be 10 half day (2pm - 5pm) sessions per annum, being held once a month excluding August and January.
Each hospital that receives trainees from the Intensive Care Medicine training programme will be expected to organise a half day programme for the trainees, which at present are being held via MS Teams. The Health Education England team will assist in organising publication of the agenda and will also help with the smooth transition between talks and speakers. All ICM trainees are added to the MS Teams channel which allows access to previous training day content.
Tha training days will be delivered as a two year rolling system covering the entire Intensive Care Medicine curriculum.
For all Regional Training Day and event information please access the Events Calendar section of the website by clicking here. Once on the calendar use the search functions on the calendar to find the RTD programme or event required.
Please contact Dr De la Cerda (ICM Regional Advisor for NE Thames gonzalo.de-la-cerda@hee.nhs.uk or the Health Education Team via the PGMDE Support Portal for any queries about the RTD programme.
London ICM Regional Training Days Timetable
|
Regional Training Day Name |
Date |
Website Link |
|
Haematology |
3rd May 2023 |
|
|
Outcome & Prognosis & Rehab |
7th June 2023 |
|
|
Neuro ICU |
5th July 2023 |
(Pan London, ICM, RTD, 2023) Neuro ICU RTD ST3-7 (Hybrid) | London (hee.nhs.uk) |
|
TBC |
6th September 2023 |
Registration link coming soon |
|
TBC |
4th October 2023 |
Registration link coming soon |
|
TBC |
1st November 2023 |
Registration link coming soon |
|
Cardiac |
6th December 2023 |
Registration link coming soon |
Dr David Melia MBBS FRCA FFICM
Dave is a Consultant in Intensive Care Medicine and Anaesthesia at Whipps Cross University Hospital, Barts Health. He completed training in Intensive Care Medicine in London and Australia, before undertaking an Advanced Fellowship in Adult General, Neuro, and Cardiac ICM at Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, where he led on critical care simulation.
Along with his role as Sim Training Lead within the school, he is Deputy Chair of the Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine’s Sub-Committee on Education and Lead for Simulation.
Simulation:
We have recently piloted a fully immersive, high fidelity, simulation training day aimed at specialist modules and common high stakes encounters, aimed at our Stage 2 trainees.
We are rolling this out across ten dates per academic year in two centres, which should allow trainees to select a date and centre most convenient to them. It is free of cost to you, and we hope that all Stage 2 trainees will partake in the course before entering Stage 3.
In years to come we hope to further expand our simulation training opportunities at school wide level, and respond to learning needs/requests of our trainees to tailor these opportunities.
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 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 Discretionary 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 DISCRETIONARY 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.
We are committed to enhancing junior doctors working lives and there are many initiatives available to ICM trainees to train more flexibly. These include Less Than Full Time (LTFT) training as well as the opportunity to take time out of programme to address personal circumstances/requirements or advance career development. Please discuss your LTFT and OOP plans with your TPD (both specialities if dual training) as soon as possible.
For more information about Less Than Full Time Training please click here.
For more information about Out of Programme including different types of OOP please click here.
School guidance, which has been produced to help support conversations with your TPD and navigate the OOP application process successfully, can be found here.
OOP applications will be reviewed by LSICM within windows to aid decision making. If a trainee applies well in advance of the intended OOP/ start date, their application will be added to next window.
|
Windows |
OOP start date |
Deadline for OOP Application (at least 6 months in advance for OOPs) |
OOP/LTFT cat 2 review window for HoS and NL/SL TPDs |
|
1 |
Beginning of February |
Beginning of August |
1st 10 days of Sept |
|
2 |
Beginning of May |
Beginning of November |
1st 10 days of Nov |
|
3 |
Beginning of August |
Beginning of February |
1st 10 days of Feb |
|
4 |
Beginning of November |
Beginning of May |
1st 10 days of May |
In addition to support provided locally by Educational Supervisors, ICM Departments and Trusts & TPD’s, HEE have a number of resources to help support you during your training including:
- The Professional Support Unit (PSU) provides a free service primarily aimed at supporting the progression of postgraduate training for healthcare professionals. The PSU operates independently from training programmes and provides confidential support and advice, by self referral, on many aspects of professional development including 1:1 coaching, Consultant Interviews, health related issues and many other areas. For more information about the Professional Support Unit please click here.
The HEE Supported Return to Training (SuppoRTT) programme is a resource which aims to support all trainees to safely and confidently return to training after a sustained period of absence. This applies to all trainees absent for 3 months or more, regardless of reason. Please click here for more information
Advanced Critical Care Practitioner Training Programme Director, London: Jo-Anne Gilroy
"I joined the NHS in 2009 as a registered adult nurse and have worked within critical care for the last 11 years, undertaking a variety of roles including practice education, clinical sister and interim matron.
I completed my ACCP training in November 2018 and gained FICM accreditation in February 2019.
In July 2019 I was awarded an MSc in Advanced Clinical Practice from Kings College London.
I’m excited to have been appointed as TPD for London ACCPS and look forward to supporting the expansion and development of the role going forward."
Jo’s was appointed in March 2021. Her role includes integrated working with existing and prospective Postgraduate Trainers & ACCP's, the Faculty for Intensive Care Medicine and higher education institutions to support high quality education, training, and supervision within the Advanced Critical Care Practitioner workforce.
Please use the ACPenquirieslondon@hee.nhs.uk inbox for any queries or messages for the HEE Advancing Practice team.
Useful resources:
The Centre for Advancing Practice: https://advanced-practice.hee.nhs.uk
Further information regarding ACCP training and Careers: https://www.ficm.ac.uk/careersworkforce/accps
About the London ICM Programme
About training:
To view the latest edition of the Gold Guide: A Reference Guide for Postgraduate Foundation and Specialty Training in the UK, please click here.
Professional and Personal Support:
The Professional Support Unit (PSU) is a free service primarily dedicated to supporting the progression of postgraduate training for NHS healthcare professionals. The PSU works independently of Specialty Schools, Training Programmes or Trusts and can offer confidential and impartial support or advice for those who need it. They offer considerable breadth of support from coaching and careers advice to wellbeing and self-management.
For more information about the Professional Support Unit, please click here.
Colleges and Societies:
Please see below for London School of Intensive Care Medicine bulletin:
December 2022 Trainee bulletin