Training Agreement

NATIONAL TRAINING PROGRAMME – TRAINING AGREEMENT

UPDATED OCTOBER 2009

This document has been prepared to provide clarity on the commitment from the National Training Programme (NTP) to deliver structured training, and likewise the commitment required from the trainee to ensure that all training expectations can be met.

What is the Programme?

The NTP is a structured training programme in England which allows registered participants (trainees) to obtain access to a range of nationally based courses, and clinical based training with an NTP trainer through a their selected training centre.

Aim of the Programme

To train enough colorectal surgeons in Laparoscopic Colorectal Surgery to give all patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer in England access to a trained surgeon.

Structure of the Programme

Trainees are encouraged to undertake pre-clinical training through course activity, and clinical training which is recorded by way of uploading Global Assessment Forms (GAS) to the web site. It is projected that trainees will need to undertake in the region of 20 or so clinical assessments dependent on experience at commencement of training. The Trainer will recommend to the trainee when they are ready to complete their training which is undertaken by way of a ‘Sign Off’ procedure. This is clearly detailed on the web site which requires a trainee to undertake 2 unsupervised clinical procedures, accompanied by DVDs which are submitted to Imperial College, London for anonymous assessment.

Components of the Programme

National Clinical Lead: Mark Coleman MD FRCS
mcoleman1@nhs.net Mark can be contacted through the Coordination Office.

Trainer: Each training centre has at least 1 lead trainer, or more.

The trainer is responsible for delivering their model of training and scheduling clinical sessions with their registered trainees.

Trainee: To participate in the National Training Programme all Trainees are required to be a Consultant in permanent employment within England, locum applications are not acceptable. To register, trainees are required to complete an application form, and submit a letter of support from their Chief Executive.

Training Centres: There are 10 training centres in the country including:

▪ Newcastle

▪ Bradford

▪ Hull

▪ Nottingham

▪ Oxford

▪ St Marks/Colchester/Guildford

▪ Kings/Guys/St Thomas`

▪ Portsmouth

▪ Basingstoke/Frimley Park

▪ South West (Plymouth/Bristol/Yeovil)

▪ North West

Please refer to the web site to obtain contact details for each separate training centre. In addition, the NTP incorporates Imperial College, London for education and research.

Imperial College, London: In addition to the training centres listed, the National Training Programme incorporates Imperial College, London for educational and research purposes with the clinical data which is submitted, along with accompanying DVD material.

Educational Lead, Professor George Hanna

Email: g.hanna@imperial.ac.uk

Coordination Office: The Coordination Office team are based in Plymouth (see web site for contact details) and include:

National Programme Administrator, Tania Dorey

Email: tania.dorey@nhs.net

Responsible for the day to day running of the NTP including registrations, liaison with training centres, and website management.

National Programme Manager, Laura Stapleton

Email: laura.stapleton@lapco.nhs.co.uk

Responsible for promotion and performance management of the NTP, reporting to the National Clinical Lead, NCAT and Steering Group.

Steering Group: The Steering Group meet every quarter of the calendar year, the group is comprised of a lead clinician from each Training centre, along with the National Clinical Lead, National Cancer Action Team Lead and Programme Manager.

Web Site: The web site (www.lapco.nhs.uk) has been designed to comprehensively provide information for participants in the National Training Programme, and is a tool for recording and accessing clinical data on GAS activity.

Funding

The NTP is funded by the National Cancer Action Team, and the Department of Health. Funding for each of the training centres is allocated on a financial year basis, 6 months in arrears. The allocation of funds is dependant of a range of factors, although principally this is underpinned by the demonstration of clinical activity (GAS forms) along with set up, and course costs where appropriate. The commitment from both the trainer and trainee to complete their GAS forms to is therefore fundamental for transparency of activity for the management and release of funds for the programme.

The annual budget for the NTP includes the costs commitment to cover the following:

● Staffing of all training centres with administration support (where required)

● Provision of theatre training equipment/instruments (where required)

● Backfill costs for consultants time where outreach sessions are provided & travel.

● Subsidisation of training theatre time to provide training sessions.

● Theatre Staff to assist with dedicated training sessions.

● NTP Courses (either wholly, or substantially)

Commitment from the NTP

The NTP commits to delivering and offering access to training for approved entrants to meet the standards and volume of training required as defined by the programme.

● Training Centre

Upon registration each trainee will be allocated to a training centre selected where possible in order of trainee preference, and training centre capacity.

● Training Courses

NTP Trainees have access to fully funded courses provided through the National Training Programme which include Cadaveric Courses (Newcastle, Nottingham & Bristol), Immersion Courses (Basingstoke) , Enhanced Recovery (Yeovil) and Master Classes (general).

● Training Sessions

It is projected that in the region of 20 or so GAS forms (clinical sessions) will be required to be

undertaken and supervised by National Training Programme appointed trainers. It is acknowledged that this is a benchmark, and the trainee will be advised by their trainer as to the suitability of this requirement, subject to their level of experience at entry to the programme.

● Training Period

It is anticipated that it will take in the region of 6-12 months to provide training for in the region of 20 or so cases, which could vary depending on the trainers recommendation.

● Training Models

Each training centre provides different approaches to training, within most centres this includes a combination of both ‘in reach’ and ‘out reach’ training defined as:

In Reach - Trainee travels to trainers hospital & undertakes clinical activity at trainers base.
The trainer does not make a charge to the NTP for providing ‘in reach’ training, although dedicated training lists may receive financial support from the NTP. NB There are no associated travel expenses available for the trainee with ‘in reach’ sessions.

Out Reach - Trainer travels to trainees hospital and supervises clinical activity at trainees base.
This model offers a trainee the opportunity to operate in familiarity of set up and surroundings with their own theatre team. Outreach involves a large commitment from trainers from the organisation to attend scheduled sessions, funding from the National Training Programme for backfill sessions, travel time to and from base, along with the training requirements of the procedure.

Trainees Commitment

The trainee agrees to undertake the following:

● Coordination Office

Liaise with the NTP Coordination Office within a reasonable timescale as and when required.

It is important for the achievements and growth of the NTP to be promoted to our stakeholders and we would, where possible appreciate support and to achieve this.(eg Newsletter, Web Site News information etc)

● Training Management Plan

Agree with their trainer a trainee management plan to cover a 6 month period. This document should include both agreed training courses, and scheduled theatre sessions projected as far as possible, and kept updated on a regular basis. These need to be held by a training centre manager/administrator or Lead Trainer, a copy should also be supplied to the NTP Coordination Office.

● GAS Forms
It is the responsibility of the trainee to complete and upload their ‘trainee assessment’ GAS form as soon as possible following the procedure. All best endeavours to ensure this is undertaken within 10 days from the operation date, and completed fully, including the post operative section within 1 month.

● DVDs

It is requested where possible, that trainees with access to recording equipment send DVDs of procedures to accompany their GAS forms to Imperial College (see web site for details).

● Outreach Training Sessions

It is the trainees responsibility to advise their trainer of any variation to set theatre sessions. If an outreach session is cancelled less than 48 hours before the scheduled time for any reason other than health of the patient, then the trainer will be entitled to bill the trainees Trust for their session by way of a ‘backfill payment’ to the trainees Trust (including travel expenses if incurred) as if they had attended.

● ‘Signing Off’ the Training Programme

It is the decision of the trainer to make a recommendation to Imperial College, London when the required level of competency has been reached. The trainee must comply with the ‘Sign Off’ procedure which is clearly detailed on the web site.

● Withdrawing from the National Training Programme

In the event a trainee decides to withdraw from the National Training Programme it is their responsibility to inform their trainer and the Coordination Centre of their decision as soon as possible to be deregistered.

Please sign and return to the NTP Coordination Office:

I confirm agreement to my trainee commitment required to the National Training Programme:

Signed: ………………………………………

Print Name: ………………………………………

Date: ……………………………………….

Issued by National Training Programme (NTP) Coordination Office

Unit N7 Scott Business Park, Tamar Science Park, Derriford, Plymouth, PL6 8BY

Email: tania.dorey@nhs.net or Telephone: 01752 439844