Paediatric training: Our plans for Progress+

GMC approves new training programme

By Dr Christine Pierce, Consultant Paediatric Intensivist, GOSH | RCPCH Officer for Training and Quality

I am looking to the challenges of my new role as Officer for Training and Quality at the College. As a way of introduction, I am a Paediatric Intensive Care Consultant at Great Ormond Street Hospital and was the Clinical Lead for the development of the Progress Curriculum at the College. This is an exciting time in paediatric training with the onset of Shape of Training and the movement towards a two-level, run through specialty training programme.

The paediatric training programme will be underpinned by 11 training principles which are introduced in the Paediatrician of the Future document.

This document articulates the standards we should be aiming towards in training and maximising learning opportunities through good supervision. The aim is to encourage flexibility whilst promoting integrated care and efficient multi-disciplinary working. The GMC has recently approved Progress+, our updated curriculum which supports the two-level, run through specialty training programme. Progress+ builds on the success of Progress and will be implemented in 2023. As the Progress curriculum is now well established the focus has now rightly shifted to ensuring the quality of training, where every patient encounter is seen as a learning opportunity.

Progress+ will drive improvements in the trainee experience across the four nations and supports flexibility for trainees with increased opportunities for out-of-programme training.

Working in the College has been a fantastic experience. I am looking forward to continuing to work with old friends and getting to know new colleagues, who have a common aim of advocating for child health.

For more information on Progress+ see www.rcpch.ac.uk/progressplus

Introducing ‘Training principle of the month’

By Dr Fiona Hignett Consultant Paediatrician, Poole Hospital | Outgoing RCPCH Vice Chair of the Trainees’ Committee

As my tenure with the Trainees’ Committee (TC) draws to an end, I’ve been reflecting on how fortunate I’ve been in collaborating with the most inspiring and diverse group of College staff and paediatricians. The fantastic work of the TC will of course continue, with the next exciting initiative: bringing to light the 11 training principles from ‘Paediatrician of the Future’. Over the next year, each month the TC will highlight a ‘Training Principle of the Month’ by sharing personal stories, case studies and teaching resources to support trainees in getting the best possible training experiences and achieving the Progress+ curriculum key capabilities.

For me, the heart of the training principles is to provide trainees with a high-quality, bespoke and personalised training journey as highlighted by principle 7, ‘training time and learning opportunities are prioritised’, and 11, ‘progression and length of training are personalised’.

Dr Arparna Soni and her paediatric nurse colleagues, Shelina Yasmin and Arlinda Bala

Now more than ever, we recognise how intrinsically linked all aspects of physical, mental and public health are – so it’s fantastic that principle 5 advocates ‘a biopsychosocial approach is applied at all times’. With this comes the welcome ambition to increase collaborative training and learning opportunities with allied colleagues in general practice, child and adolescent mental health and public health settings.

We know from young people that amongst other things, the best doctors are those who are respectful, kind, open minded and actively listen – so it’s our job to make sure that we fulfil these attributes to the best of our ability by ensuring ‘patients and families are heard’ (principle 4).

Hopefully this has given you a flavour of what to expect. As with all TC initiatives, it’s a team effort – so if you have any ideas or would like to get involved, Laura and the team would love your help.

Thanks TC – it’s been a blast (especially the karaoke!).

Explore our new training principles www.rcpch.ac.uk/training-principle-1