scholarly journals The International Fellowship Scheme for consultant psychiatrists: trainees' perspective

2006 ◽  
Vol 30 (6) ◽  
pp. 229-231 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanju George ◽  
Bill Calthorpe ◽  
Sudhir Khandelwal

The NHS International Fellowship Scheme for consultants offers overseas consultants, in specialties including psychiatry, an opportunity to work in the UK (Goldberg, 2003). This was launched by the Department of Health in 2002 and so far over 100 consultant psychiatrists have been recruited. However, there are several aspects of the project that are unclear. How long will this recruitment continue? Are there any arrangements in place to encourage overseas consultants to return to their home country at the end of their fellowship? Are they eligible to train senior house officers (SHOs) and specialist registrars (SpRs)? Will the recruitment under the scheme have an impact on job opportunities for SpRs currently training in the UK? Why is membership of the Royal College of Psychiatrists being granted to the newly recruited consultants without an examination? These and many more concerns have arisen in the wake of this scheme. In this article, we evaluate the scheme, discuss its implications and suggest possible ways forward.

2009 ◽  
Vol 91 (8) ◽  
pp. 283-283 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margaret Wilson

The National Advice Centre for Postgraduate Dental Education (NACPDE) was founded in 1978 and is based in the Faculty of Dental Surgery of The Royal College of Surgeons of England and funded by the Department of Health. The UK has traditionally played an important part in providing clinical training and postgraduate education for dentists from all parts of the world. But it is equally important to recognise the contribution oversea-strained dentists have made to the NHS.


2004 ◽  
Vol 28 (11) ◽  
pp. 398-400 ◽  
Author(s):  
Graham Ingram ◽  
Mary Jane Tacchi

Over the past few years, numerous articles have highlighted the strain on (and drain of staff from) our specialty. Many general adult psychiatrists are developing bleak views of themselves, the world and the future. Encouragingly, consultants such as Hampson (2003) are structuring their roles with some success. However, we are going through a major overhaul of the model of delivery of care and need to adapt our roles accordingly. Although tuning a Triumph Spitfire might make it run more smoothly for a while, it is still an inferior beast compared with a modern car and might be better on the scrap heap. A more radical approach is needed, which we outline in this article. One of the authors (G.I.) has experience of working as a consultant psychiatrist in Australia, where the state of Victoria changed the model of delivery of general adult psychiatric services to adopt a superior American model, leading to improved patient and carer satisfaction (Joyet al, 2001). The same model has been adopted by the UK government (Department of Health, 2001) through the creation of crisis assessment and treatment services (CATS), assertive outreach teams, and specialist community and in-patient services. Consultant psychiatrists are challenged to adapt their practice accordingly. The Royal College of Psychiatrists has recently set up a Working Group to address this issue (Royal College of Psychiatrists, 2004).


2006 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Murad M. Khan

Every year the Royal College of Psychiatrists awards a number of memberships to psychiatrists without examination. This is done under Bye-Law III 2 (ii). The sub-category Bye-Law III 2 (ii) (a) states that the ‘Membership of the College may be extended to senior psychiatrists who have practised with distinction over many years and are of international repute’. Candidates should be nominated, proposed and seconded by two members or fellows of the College. If the candidate is from outside the UK, one of the sponsors must be from the applicant's home country. Nominations are accepted from all over the world (Royal College of Psychiatrists, 2001).


2018 ◽  
Vol 100 (7) ◽  
pp. 545-550 ◽  
Author(s):  
V Alexander ◽  
J Rudd ◽  
D Walker ◽  
G Wong ◽  
A Lunt ◽  
...  

Introduction The aim of this study was to ascertain the incidence of thyroid cancer for patients categorised as Thy3, 3a or 3f across four tertiary thyroid multidisciplinary centres in the UK. Material and methods This is a retrospective case series examining patients who presented with a thyroid nodule and diagnosed as Thy3, 3a or 3f according to the Royal College of Pathologists modified British Thyroid Association and Royal College of Physicians Thy system. Results In total, 395 patients were included in this study. Of these, 136 turned out to have benign thyroid disease and 24 had micropapillary thyroid carcinomas. The overall rate of thyroid malignancy was 28.8%. For each subcategory, the rate of malignancy was Thy3 24.7.7%, Thy3a 30.4% and Thy3f 29.2. However, the incidence of thyroid malignancy varied considerably between the four centres (Thy 3f 18-54%). Discussion The diagnosis of thyroid cancer is evolving but detection for malignancy for indeterminate nodules remains below 50% for most centres around the world. In 2014, the British Thyroid Association subdivided the original Thy3 category into Thy3a and Thy3f and recommended a more conservative approach to management for Thy3a nodules. Despite this, only two centres yielded a higher conversion rate of malignancy in the new higher graded Thy3f group compared with Thy3a. Conclusion It is debateable whether the new ‘Thy3’ subcategories are more useful than the original. Local thyroid malignancy rates may also be more useful than national averages to inform treatment decisions.


2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. e000756
Author(s):  
Yu Zhen Lau ◽  
Kate Widdows ◽  
Stephen A Roberts ◽  
Sheher Khizar ◽  
Gillian L Stephen ◽  
...  

IntroductionThe UK Department of Health have targeted a reduction in stillbirth by 50% by 2025; to achieve this, the first version of the Saving Babies’ Lives Care Bundle (SBLCB) was developed by NHS England in 2016 to improve four key areas of antenatal and intrapartum care. Clinical practice guidelines are a key means by which quality improvement initiatives are disseminated to front-line staff.MethodsSeventy-five clinical practice guidelines covering the four areas of antenatal and intrapartum care in the first version of SBLCB were obtained from 19 maternity providers. The content and quality of guidelines were evaluated using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE II) tool. Maternity health professionals in participating organisations were invited to participate in an anonymous survey to determine perceptions toward and experiences of the use of clinical practice guidelines using a series of Likert scales.ResultsUnit guidelines showed considerable variation in quality with median scores of 50%–58%. Only 4 (5.6%) guidelines were recommended for use in clinical practice without modifications, 54 (75.0%) were recommended for use subject to modifications and 12 (16.7%) were not recommended for use. The lowest scoring domains were ‘rigour of development’, ‘stakeholder involvement’ and ‘applicability’. A significant minority of unit guidelines omitted recommendations from national guidelines. The majority of staff believed that clinical practice guidelines standardised and improved the quality of care but over 30% had insufficient time to use them and 24% stated they were unable to implement recommendations.ConclusionTo successfully implement initiatives such as the SBLCB change is needed to local clinical practice guidelines to reduce variation in quality and to ensure they are consistent with national recommendations . In addition, to improve clinical practice, adequate time and resources need to be in place to deliver and evaluate care recommended in the SBLCB.


2009 ◽  
Vol 91 (8) ◽  
pp. 641-644 ◽  
Author(s):  
TD Reid ◽  
LJ Finney ◽  
AR Hedges

INTRODUCTION Timing of intervention in symptomatic carotid disease is critical. The UK Department of Health's National Stroke Strategy published in December 2007 recommends urgent carotid intervention within 48 h, in appropriate patients, who have suffered a transient ischaemic attack (TIA), amaurosis fugax or minor stroke. Despite the running of a rapid-access clinic for patients with symptoms of TIA, the time from symptom to surgery is rarely less than 2 weeks. To date, there has been little published research on the UK public response to the symptoms of TIA, and no study at all of the response of primary care to such patients. The aim of this study was to ascertain both these responses to see whether a 48-h target is achievable. PATIENTS AND METHODS A total of 402 men attending our aortic aneurysm screening sessions were asked to complete a questionnaire requesting their most likely response to an episode of amaurosis fugax or TIA. All 45 GP practices in the hospital catchment area were asked how they would respond to patients requesting to be seen with the symptoms used in the questionnaire. RESULTS Nearly one in six patients would ignore the symptom unless it recurred, approximately half would request a GP appointment and a third would see an optician if they had amaurosis fugax. The mean waiting time to see a GP was 2 days for a routine appointment and within 24 h for an emergency appointment. CONCLUSIONS It is clear that a significant number of people would ignore the first symptom of carotid ischaemia; for those with amaurosis fugax, nearly a third would initially seek help from their optician. Those given a routine GP appointment would have to wait a minimum of 2 days. If the Department of Health is serious about reducing the incidence of stroke and introducing a target of 48 h from symptom to treatment, then there needs to be a wide-spread public and healthcare education programme, in particular alerting opticians and GP receptionists that these symptoms constitute a medical emergency.


2010 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 149-150 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Clark

SummaryIn 2005 the Royal College of Psychiatrists, the NHS Confederation, the National Institute for Mental Health in England and the Department of Health jointly produced the first edition of the Joint Guidance on the Employment of Consultant Psychiatrists. This was integral to the New Ways of Working initiative and outline different professional roles within mental health services. Four years on the document has been extensively revised. The new 2009 edition emphasises achieving viable and satisfying consultant posts through effective job planning and good team functioning. It also contains guidance on recruitment processes with useful examples of templates, flowcharts and good practices.


2010 ◽  
Vol 34 (7) ◽  
pp. 270-273 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jackie Gordon ◽  
Sonia Wolf

Aims and methodTo investigate liaison psychiatry services across 38 acute trusts in the south of England. We used a telephone survey and compared the results to service structure and function as recommended by the Royal College of Physicians and the Royal College of Psychiatrists.ResultsApproximately two-thirds of trusts surveyed had a dedicated liaison service and this was not significantly related to hospital size. Most liaison teams were understaffed in all disciplines and only a third had a full-time consultant. Services for specialist patient groups were generally well provided for; 37% of teams had been created in the past 5 years and 33% were planning to increase their staffing levels in future.Clinical implicationsLiaison services in the south of England are similar to those in other parts of the UK that have been surveyed. Although the services did not meet the Colleges' recommendations, our study shows some recent growth and development in this specialty.


Legal Studies ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 511-535 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryan Morgan

Much of the legal attention surrounding human embryonic stem (ES) cell research within the UK has, to date, focused on cloning techniques. Whilst this is both understandable and appropriate given litigation on this topic, there has been less focus on other areas. This paper identifies and analyses areas of incoherence and deficiency within the regulatory architecture governing human ES cell derivation and research within the UK. This is not merely a theoretical exercise, as there are indications that many of the policy objectives currently being pursued in this area have, at best, a shaky jurisdictional basis. It is all too easy to recall that lobby groups have challenged the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990, the legislative foundation for embryo research and most infertility treatment, on the basis of jurisdictional uncertainty and statutory interpretation. Whilst many pro-life campaigners are opposed to ES cell research on ethical grounds, the arguments utilised thus far in relation to litigation have been entirely legal, involving issues of statutory interpretation and whether the regulator, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), or the Department of Health have acted ultra vires the 1990 Act. This paper will reveal that there are a number of further areas which might be open to attack on this basis.


2018 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-3
Author(s):  
Ed Silva ◽  
Andrew Shepherd

SummaryNight-time confinement, locking patients in their bedrooms overnight, is practiced within high-secure hospitals in the UK. This article provides context, sets out the history and reviews the ethical and pragmatic issues at stake. Thought is given to the future, where we appear to be moving toward a different approach.Declaration of interestE.S. is a consultant forensic psychiatrist at Ashworth Hospital. All his patients are confined at night. He represents the Royal College of Psychiatrists Forensic Faculty at the National Oversight Group, which is the strategic advisory body providing assurance to NHS England regarding the commissioning and provision of high-secure services.


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