News and views from The Royal College of Emergency Medicine. Please use the "On this page" menu below for contents.
May has been a difficult month. As many of you are aware, 50 candidates of our FRCEM Single Best Answer paper examined in March were wrongly advised that they had passed the examination, when they had in fact failed. This was very difficult news for all affected, including their friends, family and colleagues, and will have had an impact on their life plans, all at a time when emergency medicine is under such pressure. Having spoken to some of the candidates myself to apologise I know how complicated and awful this situation is for them. I am very sorry that this happened and want to reassure you that the College is working to ensure that this does not ever happen again.
At the time of writing, we have so far taken several immediate actions to help remedy this situation. We contacted all affected candidates to inform and offer our apologies to them, having set up a special helpline so that they could discuss their options with us – staffed by Gordon Miles, our Chief Executive, and other senior colleagues from the exams team. We also set up a support service staffed by trained counsellors available 24 hours a day 7 days a week. We are refunding the fees of the examination sat and the resit will be free of charge. Those affected will not have the resit or the failed attempted counted as an attempt by way of mitigation. We are developing training for candidates on the SBA, which will be rolled out first to those taking the special resit on 4 July, and then be made available to all candidates to help them prepare for this examination in future. Additionally, we have put together a package of learning from RCEMLearning. We have also been in touch with Heads of School, the Lead Dean, and put in place a range of support for the candidates but it is the reality of this situation that already very busy Heads of School, Education Supervisors and Specialty Tutors as well as the candidates themselves faced increased work as a result. I am grateful to colleagues who have worked at pace to come up with practical solutions. Everyone at the College and in the wider team is devasted this occurred. We have been proud of our standards and our examination portfolio. Everyone cares about getting training and the assessment of training right, so we have the trained qualified staff our patients deserve.
Our main priority has been to support and the affected candidates, but as a College we are also determined to learn from this experience. The investigation into this incident is underway but so far, our findings suggest that a technical error in our systems was the root cause. This is not something that has happened before and there is no suggestion that other exams have been affected, but we are taking action to make doubly sure that our systems, processes and resources are robust. We have introduced enhanced checks on our results, and our Chief Executive is in the process of commissioning an external review of our examinations operations, the findings of which we will of course share with our membership.
May has seen no let-up in the pressure on emergency care. I am concerned that this level of dysfunction becomes the new normal with sporadic crisis management instigated from the centre as the situation deteriorates. Everyone agrees that the ambulance service delays are a symptom of Emergency department crowding which is a symptom of too high hospital occupancy which is a symptom of wider NHS and social care problems. What is less clear is the strategy to address the underlying problems. Pre pandemic every winter was a crisis with elective surgery being cancelled to cope with the influx of emergency patients. Now the crisis is all year but with the very real threat of even more difficult times ahead. Ambulance delays are the most obvious casualty of the current situation. In April 2022 in England 24,000 patients were delayed by 12 hours or more (from decision to admit to admission, in April in Scotland 4,000 patients faced a 12 hour wait (from time of arrival) and in Wales 11,000 patients faced a 12 hour wait (from time of arrival), and in March 2022 in Northern Ireland 8,581 patients faced a 12 hour wait (from time of arrival). These numbers are grim, they should shock all health and political leaders. These numbers translate to real patient harm and a serious patient safety crisis. There are now regular media stories about ambulance delays, and we have seen some coroners’ reports mentioning delays to care. I was recently asked about headlines further damaging staff morale. I understand the concern. I also know that all of us have stories that match those which make it into the news. The media headlines are now just a tiny tip of the iceberg of things ‘not right’ in emergency care. But we have a serious public health crisis going on even if our leaders chose not to engage with this reality and I feel we have a duty to help the public understand what is going on with their health service and perhaps enlist their support about what priorities should be at a time of difficult national choices.
The number of patients in hospital with Covid is going down, the percentage of patients with Covid as their primary diagnosis is less than 40% but Covid still represents a significant challenge in hospitals. We still need to keep patients safe, and this is very difficult to achieve while maintaining as many beds as possible open. We cannot have vulnerable patients exposed and so negotiating with the public about hospital access must balance humanity, pragmatism and a good understanding of IPC (Infection Protection and Control). And now we must deal with Monkey pox. This is, as they say, ‘an evolving situation’. We have produced a Safety Flash. It is helpful to have this up at triage so that both staff and patients are reminded of what the rash looks like. There is guidance at www.gov.uk/guidance/monkeypox. It is extremely important to be aware of what needs to be done with contaminated linen as this seems to be a source of risk to healthcare workers. Emergency departments inevitably will see patients with suspected or actual Monkey pox. We are keeping an eye on all advice produced to make sure it is realistic for the environment we work in. I am sure we all feel the last thing we need now is another infectious disease concern but as ever we in Emergency Medicine are at the frontline and its is’ interesting’.
Last week we had a Diploma ceremony at Central Hall Westminster. I had the pleasure of congratulating credentialled ACPs, and successful diplomates from MRCEM and FRCEM. At one point we had John Burns Ex FASGEM (now EMSAS) chair receiving a College Medal joined on stage by his equally splendidly kilted son who was getting his FRCEM. The opportunity to see the future of Emergency Medicine embodied in these clinicians is wonderful. It is lovely to see the pride in and support that has been given by their families and meet little potential EM clinicians (I hope!). The day was a joyful celebration of achievement and I recognise the responsibility to help make the emergency healthcare system a good place for these clinicians to work.
Best wishes,
Dr Katherine Henderson
President, Royal College of Emergency Medicine
@RCEMpresident
College NewsRCEM Vice-Presidents – nominations sought for four roles
We are seeking four Vice Presidents to help the College deliver for its membership over the next three years. These roles are the Vice President Membership and three Vice Presidents. Details of the role profile are below.
As members of the College Executive Committee, the role holders will be responsible and accountable for developing and implementing the College strategy for the specialty, focussing on core specialty education and examinations, international development, and maintaining/developing relationships with key stakeholders. The Executive Committee meets 6-8 times a year and as well as providing advice and guidance, it also provides leadership and support to various working groups and College Committees. This Committee also provides spokespersons to help with national media handling and lobbying of politicians (supported by the College personnel). Training is provided for these media and policy activities.
The Vice President Membership will have a particular portfolio to work with the College staff on the development of the membership proposition, be a liaison point for EMTA and EMSAS and work with the CEO on the governance of the College.
It is intended that all Vice Presidents will work closely to strengthen relationships with College stakeholders and promote cross-faculty collaboration, identifying opportunities to diversify funding sources and partnership portfolios, whilst increasing research opportunities.
The Vice Presidents will be advocates, internally and externally for RCEM, the appointed candidates will need to be dynamic, influential and inclusive. The appointees will need to combine the analytical capacity to identify opportunities with political astuteness, people and communication skills to deliver them in collaboration with colleagues, prioritising to maximise impact.
If you are interested in this role and would like to chat to the President Elect about it to get more of a feel for it, please email Adrian Boyle at this email address: vppolicy@rcem.ac.uk to arrange a convenient time to do this.
Please view the role specification here
To apply, candidates should send a personal statement outlining how they meet the requirements set out in the role profile, along with what they can offer to the role, to anthea.adams@rcem.ac.uk before 5pm 17 June 2022.
National Clinical Impact Awards 2022: submit your application by 15 June for an RCEM citation
The Clinical Impact Awards are prestigious awards granted to NHS consultant doctors, dentists and academic GPs via an annual competition and seek to recognise and reward the unique and specialised role they play and the impact of their work on the NHS at a national level.
The national Clinical Impact Awards scheme (previously known as the national Clinical Excellence Awards) has been reformed in order to broaden access to the scheme, make the application process fairer and more inclusive, and ensure the scheme rewards and incentivises excellence across a broader range of activity and behaviours.
Candidates who wish to enter must register and submit their application here, and full application guidance is available here.
Applicants who would like an RCEM citation must submit their application via the portal by no later than 15 June. Applications received after this will not be eligible for RCEM citation.
RCEM Research Grants for Low Income countries – applications deadline 08 July 2022
Applications are invited for RCEM grants to undertake emergency medicine research in low income countries. The RCEM encourages applications up to £5,000 for a research application focused on improving the delivery of emergency medicine in low income countries. Applicants must:
For advice on writing a grant application see mrc.ukri.org/
The following headings should be used:
Purpose and Background – what is already known in this area and an outline of the value the research will bring to emergency medicine.
A Plan of investigation which should include:
Applications are rated according to the quality of science, the importance of the underlying research program, the strength and value of the collaboration with Members and Fellows of the College of Emergency Medicine and contextual relevance. Due regard is given to the relative wealth of the country or countries in which the research will be carried out and the findings acted upon.
Successful applicants are expected to produce a short report in the approved format on the progress of the project every 12 months for the first 2 years of the award, and may also be invited to present the findings of the study at our Annual Scientific Conference up to 3 years after the award.
*if no-one in your team is currently a member or fellow of RCEM but you have an interesting/important research idea in emergency medicine, please take a look at colleagues in the NIHR Incubator for Emergency Care who may be able to help support as a co-applicant or link you to further colleagues for this or future submissions.
Please send your application along with a copy of your CV to the College office by 17:00 on Friday 08 July 2022.
For an application form please click here.
For further information about the grant please contact:
Anisa Jafar, NIHR ACL and ST6 in Emergency Medicine on behalf of the Research & Publications Committee,
Royal College of Emergency Medicine HCRI,
University of Manchester,
Ellen Wilkinson Building,
Oxford Road,
M13 9PL.
anisa.jafar@manchester.ac.uk
Appropriate release of medical colleagues for the purposes for carrying out work for the wider health system
NHS England, devolved health services and the Department of Health and Social Care have written letters to Chief Executives of Trusts and Boards to encourage them to look favourably on requests from doctors seeking your support to undertake national or regional work for the wider benefit of the public and of health services across England and the devolved administrations. The letter to devolved nations can be read here and the letter to English CEOs can be read here.
NHSBN 2022 Managing Frailty and Emergency Care Projects
NHS Benchmarking’s Emergency Care and Managing Frailty projects have now both opened for data collection.
Data collection will be open until Friday 8 July for Emergency Care and Friday 15 July for Managing Frailty, and organisations are still able to register to participate if they have not already done so.
This year NHS Benchmarking are undertaking a new “blended” approach to the Emergency Care and Managing Frailty projects in 2022, to help achieve a broader, system level overview of particularly the non-elective pathways within secondary care.
Some metrics previously collected as part of the Managing Frailty project into the Emergency Care project (most notably those about medical assessment units) have been moved, and also introduced expanded sections within both projects around admission avoidance initiatives such as Same Day Emergency Care and Acute Frailty services.
The intention is to use this data to produce a new additional bespoke report for 2022 on Admission Avoidance, which will bring together elements of both the Emergency Care and Managing Frailty projects.
The creation of this report for an organisation is dependent on data being submitted to relevant sections included within both projects, and therefore participants are encouraged to register for both.
NHS Benchmarking are also holding its annual Managing Frailty and Emergency Care Share Learning Webinars once again this year, with the Emergency Care event scheduled for on Thursday 23 June and Managing Frailty for Thursday 30 June.
To find our more or to register please visit the NHSBN members’ area or email enquiries@nhsbenchmarking.nhs.uk
Submit your abstract for the Annual Scientific Conference
Abstract submissions for the Annual Scientific Conference are now open. Submit now to disseminate and showcase your work to a large national and international audience. Deadline for submissions is Thursday 30 June. More information and submit now.
EMJ’s latest issue is now online
EMJ’s latest issue is now online. Highlights include:
If you take a listen to our latest podcast, it summarises the April highlights in 30 minutes!
Don’t forget you can access our most read articles here.
Get involved!
We have a number of opportunities for members to get involved with the workings of the College and help set the direction of our boards and committees.
Role profiles and person specifications for all roles can be found at rcem.ac.uk/volunteering-2
Regional Vice Chair for the South West of England vacancy
We are looking for a Fellow who is in good standing, and currently working in a substantive consultant role in the South West, who will represent the region and in time work with the Regional Chair to establish a regional board, influence local policymakers and the media, and support our members working in the region.
This role would be suited for someone who has strong communication, interpersonal, and organisational skills and is looking to develop their career and influencing skills. In return, we will provide you with support in carrying out your duties as Vice Chair and give you a full induction into the College. You do not need to have any previous College experience in order to apply!
You can find the job description and FAQS here. The nomination form can be found here.
If you are interested in applying or have any further questions, please contact the Policy Team at policy@rcem.ac.uk
#CountMeIn – help us improve representation by filling in your College profile
Emergency Medicine is one of the most diverse professional clinical communities. Unfortunately, we are currently unable to fully evidence the diverse intersectionality of who we are, as the demographic data we have of our members is patchy.
Thing Spring we’re running #CountMeIn to truly capture and celebrate the diverse intersectionality of who we are.
Having a sense of our members’ representation will help us to better understand how best to represent you.
Help us to help you by filling in your College profile today.
Join us in starting a dialogue about the importance of representation in emergency medicine by sharing the campaign and your views on social media.
Joint statement on Ukraine
RCEM was a joint signatory to a statement from the International Federation for Emergency Medicine, calling for healthcare workers and healthcare facilities in Ukraine to be protected. Read the statement here
RespectED – our anti-bullying campaign to challenge toxic behaviour in EDs
The Royal College of Emergency Medicine is launching RespectED, an anti-bullying campaign that aims to raise awareness and tackle the rise in toxic behaviours such as bullying, harassment and incivility between staff in Emergency Departments (EDs). These negative behaviours have a huge impact in EDs; they can create a toxic working environment, affect morale and the delivery of safe patient care.
The RespectED campaign is being launched to acknowledge that bullying, harassment and incivility occur in Emergency Departments. It encourages staff to address their own behaviours, to speak up and challenge these behaviours if they witness or are targeted by them and to positively change Emergency Departments and their cultures.
As pressures once again mount on the NHS it is vital that negative and toxic behaviours are challenged, and staff are supported by their colleagues and peers.
Jayne Hidderley, Chair of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine Lay Group, said: “We know when incivility and bullying take place in our Emergency Departments, it not only has a detrimental effect on all staff but is a serious risk to patient safety. Our RespectED campaign, in collaboration with Civility Saves Lives, is a call to action to raise awareness amongst our staff and start the conversation. We want all staff in our Emergency Departments to be equipped to speak up, challenge these behaviours and change the culture together.”
You can find out more about the campaign, along with other useful resources, here.
Parents! Apply now for The Leaders Plus Fellowship Programme
Are you expecting a baby, currently on maternity or shared parental leave, have recently returned to work or have children who are in primary school? If yes, then apply now for the award-winning Leaders Plus Fellowship Programme.
The Leaders Plus Fellowship is a nine-month Programme enabling parents with babies and young children to accelerate their careers whilst still enjoying their families. You’ll get access to inspirational role models, a Senior Leader Mentor, a cross-sector network of peers, as well as support to progress your career whilst looking after young children.
The RCEM are delighted to part-fund 6 places on the Leaders Plus Fellowship for individuals working in emergency medicine. Find out more at http://www.leadersplus.org.uk/rcem
COVID-19 Resources
Stay up to date with the latest coronavirus guidance, including information on testinghere.
EUSEM Academy
We would like to share with you the opportunity to access the European Society of Emergency Medicine’s (EUSEM) learning platform as part of the College’s membership with EUSEM.
The platform contains a range of resources including webinars, videos and document libraries, the majority of resources are available via open access, find out more via: https://academy.eusem.org>
Follow our Officers on Twitter
Are you following our officers on Twitter? Keep up to date by using these handles:
You can also follow our current VPs for the devolved nations:
EventsSubmit your abstract for the Annual Scientific Conference
Abstract submissions for the Annual Scientific Conference are now open. Submit now to disseminate and showcase your work to a large national and international audience. Deadline for submissions is Thursday 30 June. More information and submit now.
Acute aortic dissection: diagnosis and initial management
Date: 7 June 2022
This study day will look at the challenges of making the diagnosis of acute aortic dissection, new approaches to diagnosis and initial management once the diagnosis is made. You will learn more about the pathophysiology of acute aortic dissection and how this affects presentation.
View the programme online and book now.
Case reports
Date: 9 June 2022
The RCEM Case Report Study Day includes expert teaching, case report presentations and lively interactive debates and will benefit multi-disciplinary colleagues from Emergency Medicine and other related specialities. Delegates will update their emergency medicine knowledge, learn about the research publication process, and be given practical guidance about how to publish case reports, and other types of research, in international peer reviewed medical journals.
View the programme online and book now.
Brush up your research
Date: 14 June 2022
This one-day course is aimed at trainees and early career delegates with an interest, or some experience in research. Both basic concepts, as well as more advanced topics, will be covered in an interactive format including panels, small group sessions, and audience participation.
View the programme online and book now.
Catch-up with past events
All our virtual study days are available for booking post-event for 6-months. This means if you’ve missed a study day you can register and watch the whole thing whenever suits you. Recent study days that have been added include:
You can also book to catch-up with all 3-days of the recent Spring CPD Conference. This content is available to watch for 12-months.
PolicyRCEM Acute Insight Series: Beds in the NHS
The latest in our Acute Insight Series, ‘Beds in the NHS’ shows that an additional 13,000 staffed beds are required in the NHS across the UK to drive meaningful change and improvement. Meaningful change and improvement would constitute a significant improvement in A&E waiting times, ambulance response times, ambulance handover delays, and a return to safe bed occupancy levels. The report can be read here and press statement here.
Press releases
Winter Flow Project 2021/22
Our annual Winter Flow Project looks at a sample of trusts and boards throughout the UK to see how their Emergency Departments are performing and what difficulties they are facing each week across the winter period.
This year’s project collected the following data points on a weekly basis from over 35 trusts & boards:
The project began in October 2021 but has now come to an end. The final weekly report can be found here.
Weekly reports and data visualisations are available on our website now.
For queries or further information about the project please contact theo.chiles@rcem.ac.uk
RCEM CARES: The Next Phase
There is a severe mismatch between demand and capacity in the Urgent and Emergency Care (UEC) system. The unparalleled levels of demand placed on EDs has not been met with sufficient investment into the NHS. EDs now sustain other parts of the system and are the first port of call for many patients, despite not always being the most appropriate place to receive care. The pandemic has exacerbated many of these challenges and there is an urgent obligation to plan for the future healthcare needs of the UK. Eliminating overcrowding must be the number one priority.
Our RCEM CARES campaign provides solutions to address these pressing issues so that ED staff can deliver safe and timely care for patients. The campaign focuses on five key areas: Crowding, Access, Retention, Experience, and Safety.
In RCEM CARES: The Next Phase, we revisit our original policy asks in light of COVID-19 and begin to explore what happens next. Read it here
Performance Figures
A summary of all the latest performance figures for England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland can be found here
Quality and AuditNational Clinical Impact Awards (previously known as National Clinical Excellence Awards)
The 2022 round of the national Clinical Impact Awards in now open for applications.
Consultants and academic GPs wishing to apply for an award will be able to do so until Wednesday 22 June, with scoring and governance processes taking place throughout summer and autumn. Despite the later opening of the round than in 2021, the entire process will be completed at the usual time.
More details can be found in the updated applicant guidance. Other guidance will be published by the National clinical Impact awards shortly.
Applicants who would like an RCEM citation must submit their application via the portal by no later than 15 June. Applications received after this will not be eligible for RCEM citation.
QIPS
We are still taking registrations for the QIPs, all the details can be found here. Should you have any questions please email quality@rcem.ac.uk
The Consultant Sign Off QIP data collection began on 25 April. EDs that have registered to participate can now enter data by logging in to the portal.
The QIP 2020 – 2021 Infection Prevention and Control report has recently been published and can be viewed here.
The QIP 2020 – 2021 Pain in Children report has recently been published and can be viewed here.
The National Data Opt Out Policy starts on 31 March 2022. RCEM has prepared a statement about QIP participation and the National Data Opt Out Policy.
Get involved!
We have a number of vacancies across quality and service delivery committees.
RCEM Quality Improvement Projects Pain in Children team vacancy.
RCEM Sustainable Working Practices Committee Member
The College is looking for a member to join the Sustainable Working Practices Committee as a representative of Northern Ireland.
RCEM Best Practice Subcommittee Chair
The College is looking for a new member with experience of Best Practice in Emergency Medicine to join the Best Practice Sub-Committee as a chair.
Safety Flash
Membership#CountMeIn Campaign
There is still the opportunity for you to contribute to RCEM’s #CountMeIn campaign, working to ensure that the specialty is inclusive, fair and equitable. To get involved, please fill in your profile here.
Although we know Emergency Medicine is diverse, we are unable to fully evidence the extent of this diversity and completing your profile will allow us to better understand you and the Emergency Medicine workforce. Without this, we cannot advocate on your behalf and the info you provide will:
Please ensure you fill in your profile and if you have any queries about the campaign, please contact policy@rcem.ac.uk
Member Engagement Group – Get involved and have your say!
RCEM’s Member Engagement Group (MEG) involves members in what the College does and how it does it. The MEG’s valuable insights will allow us to deliver an even better service and will also mean that we can more effectively support you, your fellow members and all Emergency Medicine staff.
Being part of this group is an opportunity for you to contribute to the College, engage directly with its staff (recent meetings were attended by the Exams/Training teams and an upcoming meeting will be attended by our Chief Executive) and inform what we do and how we do it. We want to add to the diverse group of members already in the MEG to provide insight into our work as well as feeding back on how we are doing and what we could do better. The time commitment isn’t onerous (approximately three online surveys and four meetings per year and attendance isn’t compulsory) and you can join at any time.
Further information can be found on our website here and if you would like to find out more about/join the MEG then please contact Jen jennifer.barley@rcem.ac.uk
Are you making the most of your EMJ subscription?
For members with an EMJ subscription access is available online as well as through the traditional monthly paper copy. If you have any queries about the delivery of your subscription or how to access the EMJ online the membership team are happy to help - membership@rcem.ac.uk
There is also the option to make your EMJ subscription online only so email us if you would like to switch to your preference.
RCEM Merchandise
Following our recent rebranding, new RCEM merchandise is now available in our online shop. Thermal travel mugs, hoodies, notebooks, water bottles and other items can be bought via www.rcemshop.co.uk so get your merch and show your EM pride!
All members have the benefit of being able to enjoy RCEM Lifestyle Rewards at any time via www.rcem-rewards.co.uk. Members receive new exclusive discounts and added value offers every month on a wide range of luxury products, services & experiences.
Below are this month’s special selection of Lifestyle Rewards.
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Castara Retreats ‘The perfect perch on an idyllic Caribbean Isle” Luxury hillside eco-lodges overlooking the ocean in Tobago, the Caribbean. The ultimate luxury getaway – members save 10% |
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Cynefin Retreats Luxe-pods on the Welsh Borders… Luxury eco-pods for two, near Hay on Wye, Herefordshire, England. Save 5% on the perfect relaxing getaway! |
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The Traditional Verandah Company Bespoke Verandas, Porches, Walkways and Canopies Crafted to fit your property. Enjoy the great outdoors whatever the weather – Members save £500! |
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Mr.Wheeler Wine A carefully-chosen selection of outstanding wines to suit a variety of pockets. Members save 10% on their first order! |
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Hand Picked Hotels A Unique Collection of Hotels Super Summer Saver. Let the summer fun begin with this exciting limited time offer at selected hotels, with a host of complimentary extras! |
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Haute Florist The Epitome of Luxury Flowers… With over a decade of decadent floristry expertise, our florists have mastered their craft being the purveyors of floral arrangement. Members save 10% |
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The Elephant Head Artisan-made – Sustainable – Ethical Members save 10% on a fantastic range of artisan-made, sustainable and ethical products for the home and garden. |
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ArdMoor From shooting – sailing to everyday country wear, find everything you need for a life outdoors. Members save 15% on any order! |
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Montagu Arms Hotel Unique Charm & Timeless Elegance Discover rural England at its most enchanting with our selection of UK short breaks and special offers! |
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Sage Master Every Moment… Simple Moments of Brilliance to make cooking simpler, better, faster, and easier. Members save 15% across the range! |
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The Innocent Hound Award-Winning Complete Food and Treats for your Hounds We specialise in producing the finest air-dried food and treats for dogs and cats with carefully sourced British ingredients. Members save 15% |
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Billy Tannery Sourced, Tanned, Made in Britain… Save 10% on our fantastic range of goat leather goods. Our bags and accessories are all sourced, tanned and made in Britain! |
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Oliver Preston The perfect gift… Members save 15% on limited edition prints & books! “….the British sense of humour is alive and well.” |
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Rosemullion Distillery Save 10% on thrillingly delicious, multi-gold-award winning and internationally acclaimed luxury artisan gin, rum and spirits from our Cornish orchard. |
ExaminationsMarch 2022 FRCEM SBA exam results situation update
Changes to the MRCEM SBA application period
RCEM has worked closely with our exam delivery partner, Pearson VUE, to introduce new booking windows for all MRCEM & FRCEM written exams.
These new booking windows will help us to improve the booking process for candidates and are separate to our candidate application periods, which can be found on our website. Booking windows will open shortly after our application periods and will close approximately four weeks before the exam date.
Once a candidate’s application has been approved, their details will be shared with Pearson VUE who will then email candidates directly with booking instructions. Pearson VUE advise that the earlier a candidate books their test once the booking window is open, the greater the chance of a space at their preferred centre being available.
Any candidate who has not booked their exam space by the time the booking window has closed will automatically be allocated to the nearest available test centre to the home address in their online account.
Differential Attainment
In 2022 the College is bringing differential attainment back to the top of the agenda.
The College is working on a report into differential attainment and needs your help to support this report by completing the data requested as part of the Count Me In campaign. By updating your demographic profile, as part of your profile on the College website, you will enable the College to have improved data on our Examiners and Trainee body. This will enable more meaningful findings and actions to derive from the report which will support the delivery of more meaningful change to combat differential attainment.
Examiners Needed
The College recently posted a video from Will Townsend, College Dean, highlighting the need for MRCEM OSCE exam. The College requires 18 Examiners a day for the MRCEM OSCE to run successfully. If you are interested in becoming an Examiner and supporting the College in this capacity, please see here for more information. SAS grade clinicians are eligible become Examiners.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Exams Team on exams@rcem.ac.uk.
The College is under-represented by woman and ethnic minorities at Examiner level, and we would welcome applications from individuals within those demographics.
International Examiner recruitment – Malaysia and India
In September 2022, the eagerly anticipated MRCEM OSCE will be taking place in Malaysia for the first time. The College is now recruiting International MRCEM Examiners based in Malaysia. Successful applicants will be required to attend examiner training on 5 September 2022 in Kuala Lumpur.
The College is also recruiting MRCEM Examiners in India to support the ongoing delivery of MRCEM OSCE at various centres in India. Examiner training will be delivered immediately before each MRCEM OSCE diet in India and all examiners will be required to attend training before examining in 2022.
The examiner regulations are available here
The online examiner application form is available here
Please direct all queries regarding becoming an examiner to Ruby.sutcliffe@rcem.ac.uk
TrainingThe PEM Conference will be taking place face-to-face in Edinburgh on Wednesday 15 June 2022. Whilst designed for RCEM or RCPCH PEM trainees currently in their training post, or for those who have completed this within the last year, this event is open to anyone with an interest in PEM.
ARCPs
A presentation on how to prepare for ARCP took place on Thursday 28 April, including a demonstration on how to complete the Educational Supervisor Report in Kaizen. Watch the recording here.
A reminder that there are materials on how to prepare to ARCPs on our website.
Ultrasound and the 2021 Curriculum
Our PoCUS group has met to provide answers to your most frequently asked questions regarding the 2021 Curriculum – FAQs
ELSE Form update
The ESLE form can now be created by supervisors as well as trainees. Supervisors can only create the ESLE for trainees if they have been added as the supervisor by the trainee. An assessor that is not linked to a trainee as an Educational or Clinical Supervisor, TPD or Tutor cannot create the ESLE and the trainee must create the ESLE in this situation.
Here’s a selection of some of May’s most popular publications:
Other newsGMC good medical practice consultation
The General Medical Council (GMC) is running a public consultation on an updated version of Good medical practice.
This sets the standards of professional behaviour and patient care expected from all doctors in the UK.
Several areas of the guidance have been updated, including new duties for doctors to help tackle poor workplace cultures. The proposed changes emphasise behaviours between colleagues and interactions with patients which are compassionate, civil, inclusive and fair.
Healthcare staff can share their views by taking part in a short survey for healthcare professionals or by joining an online event. The consultation is open until 20 July 2022. You’ll also receive a certificate for your portfolio for getting involved.
This is the first update to Good medical practice since 2013. The GMC want to hear views from healthcare professionals working at all levels and across all specialties. For more information about the consultation and why it’s important to take part, please visit the GMC’s Good medical practice webpages.
The King’s Fund: How does the NHS in England work and how is it changing?
Big changes are taking place across the health and care system in England. Today The King’s Fund has launched a new animation showing how the NHS can collaborate with its partners in the system and what this could mean for staff, patients and communities. Watch the video here>.
NHSEI Letter on enabling the workforce for elective recovery
NHSEI letter enabling the workforce for elective recovery. The letter details several high impact enablers that providers should consider implementing to help improve staff experience. It also sets out a number of actions being taken forward at a national level with the aim of making the workload more sustainable for staff.
The Health and Care Act 2022: the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead
Kings Fund chief executive, Richard Murray, writes about the Health Act now it has become law and what happens next.
AoMRC statement on Initial antimicrobial treatment of sepsis
Prior to the pandemic, the Council of the Academy of Medical Royal College, which comprises the president and heads of all the Medical Royal Colleges, Colleges and major Faculties, agreed to a proposal that the Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine (FICM) should lead a project, on behalf of the Academy, to establish the most appropriate clinical approach to the management of sepsis. They would then produce a joint guideline, setting out this agreed approach across all specialties – this statement is the outcome of this work.
RCN: Neurodiversity guidance for employers, managers, staff and students
This guidance has been developed for staff and students who are neuro-diverse and for the managers and employers who support them. It is intended for the health and care sector but its overarching principles could be helpful in other settings.
BMA Covid review
The BMA has undertaken a review into the UK government’s handling of the pandemic and its impact on the NHS, the health of the population, and doctors. These reports conclude that the UK government failed in its duty of care to protect doctors and the wider health care workforce from avoidable harm and suffering in its management of the Covid-19 pandemic.
RCPSYCH – Medical emergencies in eating disorders: guidance on recognition and management
This report finds that signs that someone with an eating disorder is dangerously ill are often missed by health care professionals due to lack of guidance and training. The research finds that hospital admissions for eating disorders have increased by 84 per cent in the past five years, reaching a total of 24,268 admissions. Children and young people with eating disorders are the worst affected, with a rise of 90 per cent in the five-year period. This guidance is aimed at frontline staff so that people with eating disorders needing urgent care can be identified and treated earlier.
DHSC: The government’s response to the House of Commons Health and Social Care Select Committee report on clearing the backlog caused by the pandemic
This report sets out how the government is working with its arm’s length bodies to help the NHS clear the waiting list for elective care.
Official launch of NICE’s Real-World Evidence Framework
NICE is holding a free virtual event to officially launch its new Real-World Evidence Framework. The event will take place on Thursday, June 23 from 2pm until 3pm.
During the event you will hear the framework will help resolve knowledge gaps and drive forward patient access to innovative treatments by:
Find out more about the event and how to register.
This report provides a summary of the 2021 national data analysis and presents key findings and recommendations for continued focus and actions by trusts. regions and the national Equality, Diversity and Inclusion team at NHS England and NHS Improvement. It enables a comparison of year-on-year progress into the career and workplace experiences of NHS disabled staff.
New programme on congenital heart disease now available
Health Education England elearning for healthcare (HEE elfh) has worked in partnership with the North West, North Wales and The Isle of Man Congenital Heart Disease Network to develop a new elearning programme on congenital heart disease.
An Introduction to Congenital Heart Disease provides a basic but essential overview of this condition and highlights the advances in paediatric care that have resulted in increasing numbers of patients surviving into adult life.
The resource also describes the specialist services required to deliver care at every stage of life. It is aimed at all NHS clinical staff who are not specialists in this subject but may need to care for patients with congenital heart disease in their current role. The resource will also be useful for all other clinical colleagues to understand the implications of congenital heart disease, as patients will access other services within the NHS throughout their lifetime.
On completion of the programme, learners will gain a good understanding of this type of heart disease and know how to contact their nearest network and helplines.
Experts from within the field of congenital heart disease developed the resource, endorsed by the British Congenital Cardiac Association (BCCA).
For more information and to access the programme, please visit the Congenital Heart Disease programme page.
A full list of vacancies is available here.
Consultants in Emergency Medicine
The Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust, Wakefield
£84,559 to £114,003 pa
Do you want to be part of a team where your voice really matters and everyone is equal?
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Senior Clinical Fellow Emergency Medicine
West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, Bury St. Edmunds
£51,017 with enhanced hours & weekend allowance
This post is available for a fixed term of two-year period.
Read more…
Consultant in Emergency Medicine
Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust
£84,559 – £114,003
Consultant required to join our team, you will be working with people who aim to put patients first & strive to deliver evidence-based & innovative care.
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