ALLOCATIONS INFORMATION
FOR NEW TRAINING PRACTICES
WINDSOR VTS
Having completed your New Trainers course we know that you will be keen to put your new skills into practice.
We thought it would be helpful to outline the process of how trainees are allocated to trainers and training practices. Note that the academic year runs from August to August.
FY2 Trainees
FY2 Trainees are allocated to training practices for four-month placements (August-December, December-April and April-August). The allocations are usually done in advance of a new academic year in April/May.
You do not need to be approved as a training practice to take FY2 trainees, though there are minimum requirements. If you have completed the trainer’s course and are preparing for your approval visit you are very likely to meet the requirements to take FY2 trainees. For the 2012/2013 year the following requirements were in place to be met at the time of allocation:
Supervisors to confirm they have booked to attend the FY2 Supervisor Deanery Training Day (June 2012).
Supervisors working in practices not yet approved as training practices to confirm they have contacted Richard Mumford to arrange an FY2 inspection visit, or have a planned training visit booked, prior to August 2012.
Taking an FY2 trainee whilst you are waiting for your full approval as a training practice is an ideal way to start putting your skills into practice and keep the training momentum going until you are fully approved and can be allocated ST trainees. Many approved trainers also like taking FY2 trainees and you may continue to take them after you are an approved trainer.
Please contact Dr Jo Byfleet if you wish to take FY2 trainees ().
Please contact Dr Manjinder Uppal if you need more information or guidance regarding taking an FY2 trainee ().
ST2 Trainees
ST2 trainees currently undertake one six-month placement in General Practice. To give learners a variety of experience we will usually place ST2 trainees in a different practice for these placements to the practice in which they will spend their ST3 year.
ST2s are allocated in April/May for the following academic year.
To be allocated an ST2 trainee for the following academic year you need to contact Dr Jo Byfleet prior to these dates with evidence of your approval as a training practice. Unfortunately, if you are not yet approved at the time of allocations we cannot allocate you an ST2 trainee for the following academic year.
When allocating ST2 trainees, priority will be given to new training practices in their first-year as it is important that they start to gain experience with ST trainees.
ST3 Trainees
In usual circumstances, trainees will spend their ST3 year in the practice of their Educational Supervisor, who will have been allocated to them at the beginning of their ST1 year. This is to meet the requirement that a trainee’s trainer in ST3 should be the same trainer who has been their educational supervisor throughout their three-year VTS scheme.
In practice this means that usually a new trainer will not have an ST3 trainee in practice until 2 academic years after their approval as a trainer.
For a number of new training practices, opportunities may arise prior to this (for example, trainees returning from maternity leave or transferring from other schemes). However, this cannot be guaranteed.
When allocating ST1 trainees to their educational supervisor, priority will be given to new training practices in their first-year so that they will experience an ST3 trainee in practice as soon as is possible.
Following agreement at the Windsor Trainers Away Days in 2010, trainees, once allocated to the Windsor VTS, are emailed a list of trainers to whom ST1s will be allocated in each academic year. This list will be compiled to ensure all trainers get equal opportunities to have an ST3 trainee over a three-year period. Trainees are invited to contact practices they are interested in and then rank their preferences. They are allocated in June/July in order of their performance in the selection process.
Note regarding new trainers in existing approved training practices
You may be able to be allocated an ST trainee prior to your approval visit if you apply to the deanery for Associate Trainer Status. This means that you will be the educational supervisor under the guidance of an existing approved trainer within your practice.
Please inform Dr Jo Byfleet if you have been granted Associate Trainer Status and wish to be considered for allocation of trainees in this capacity.
Note regarding allocations process
This is a complex process whereby the Program Directors try to balance the needs of all of the trainees and all of the training practices on the VTS scheme. Due to expansion of GP training and the Windsor VTS we are usually able to ensure that all of our trainers have trainees. Your flexibility will enable us to achieve the fairest possible allocation of trainees.
If you have queries or concerns regarding the process please contact Dr Jo Byfleet, VTS Program Director, who co-ordinates allocations for the scheme ().
Dr Jo Byfleet – updated November 2010