All through my time on the RCP Trainees Committee (TC), medical teaching has confronted substantial challenges, notably by the COVID-19 pandemic. Many trainees had been deployed by the pandemic, and sickness absence and out-of-hours rota gaps elevated, inserting pressure on the junior doctor workforce and affecting the specialty teaching experience. I joined the RCP Trainees Committee in 2019; my background is in medical coaching, and I notably take pleasure in designing new applications and curricula.
I’m very completely satisfied to say that teaching options in Northern Ireland have elevated as a result of the highest of the pandemic, and publicity to specialty teaching – as an illustration, endoscopy and bronchoscopy lists, and gastroenterology and respiratory competencies – has improved (although this will vary by perception). Nonetheless, we’re nonetheless seeing rota gaps and there have been some challenges adjusting to the updated specialty teaching curriculum and the introduction of an IMT3 12 months. We do recognise that the model new system is in its infancy, and naturally, we’re nonetheless in a transition part.
The pandemic was a steep finding out curve for many individuals. In my perform as TC marketing consultant, I was fascinated to check from the other TC representatives about their COVID-19 experience in several parts of the UK; being part of the committee has been a superb different to share expertise, meet new colleagues and research how trendy utilized sciences have reworked fashions of care.
For individuals who’re occupied with what to do subsequent in your occupation, I’d extraordinarily advocate getting involved with the TC. Alternatively, take into consideration changing into a member of a neighborhood committee the place you might have an effect on change in your private hospital: it’s all wonderful experience you’ll be able to ship into your specialty teaching. In actual fact, I’ll be stepping down shortly as RCP TC marketing consultant for Northern Ireland, and as I come to the highest of my time interval, it’s been gratifying to look once more at a number of of the best bits. In 2021, I labored with Dr Melanie Nana (now the TC co-chair) to design an RCP ‘Title the med reg’ conference by which trainees research additional about taking on the medical registrar perform. This has since develop to be an annual UK huge on-line event with practically 2,000 registered delegates remaining 12 months. I’m very pleased with how worthwhile it’s develop to be!
As for me, I’m about to finish my teaching as an academic medical lecturer and gastroenterology registrar in Northern Ireland. Subsequent, I’m hoping to undertake a post-CCT fellowship, then develop to be a medical academic advisor gastroenterologist as a joint appointment between Queen’s Faculty Belfast and the Belfast Effectively being and Social Care Perception.
There are an entire lot of unknowns in regards to the subsequent few months in Northern Ireland. I was part of the group that developed an movement plan for the Stormont election, The time is now, and a follow-up briefing, The time is now: 6 months on. We’re moreover teaming up with the Royal Faculty of Physicians of Edinburgh and the Royal Faculty of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow to run an evening event for trainees and specialty docs on 1 March 2023: we want to use the findings from this dialog to confirm politicians understand the importance of transforming the healthcare system. Information your free place!
Personally, I’ll probably be making the case for funding in neighborhood and social care to chop again measurement of maintain, which in flip would improve working conditions for nurses, docs and allied properly being professionals. What’s going to you choose as your priority for properly being and social care in Northern Ireland?
Dr Andrew Spence
ST7 gastroenterology registrar, Belfast Effectively being and Social Care Perception
Instructional medical lecturer, Queen’s Faculty Belfast
Uncover out additional in regards to the RCP’s protection and campaigns work in Northern Ireland and get entangled with the RCP Trainees Committee. Trainees and specialty docs in Northern Ireland, to e-book your space at ‘An evening with the presidents of the royal colleges of physicians’ on 1 March 2023 at 7pm, go to our website online.
