Thread by @DrSarahHal

UPDATE on #COVID19 for #juniordoctors
A thread summary of recent developments
@BMA_JuniorDocs reps and staff have continued to work flat out on the ever-evolving #covid19UK situation. Some answers are beginning to emerge, though more questions remain - we are working on these.

Firstly: rotations. The four UK education bodies have confirmed that upcoming #juniordoctor rotations will cease for now. We've heard reports that in some areas they have yet to confirm this; we have raised that clarity is required for junior doctors to have certainty.

Regarding cancellation of study leave:
@NHS_HealthEdEng:
"Trainees should endeavour to obtain a refund for any pre-booked expenses. If they unable to do so we will honour the claim, but they should provide evidence when they submit their claim that the expense was non-refundable"

All face to face recruitment has been cancelled; a working group will be overseeing contingency plans including Skype interviews. @BMA_JuniorDocs and the ATDG will be representing trainees on this to help ensure the processes are fair and equitable.

Academic trainees will be contacted by @NHS_HealthEdEng to request that they return to clinical practice to support the NHS during the coming crisis, including reassurances that the necessary extensions will be made to academic deadlines.

For physicianly trainees, a request has been made by the 4 UK education bodies that the penultimate year assessments co-delivered with @JRCPTB are temporarily suspended.

From @gmcuk: the National Training Survey is postponed, partly because of recognition that trainees won't want to be taking the time required to fill it out during a crisis.
Also, anyone who had been due to revalidate before September will have it deferred for a year.

We are in discussion with the education bodies about progression through training, especially with the postponement of many exams now.
@JRCPTB has produced some really clear guidance for their trainees here: jrcptb.org.uk/news/covid-19-…
More to follow for other specialties.

Many junior doctors are having to work in new and different ways, including using video consultation technology.
Some excellent responsive learning materials appearing to help with this, including this from @drgandalf52:

@TheBMA have been campaigning hard around some key asks:
- Access to adequate PPE for healthcare staff
(beta.bma.org.uk/news-and-opini…)
- Priority testing for HCPs self-isolating to reduce the pressure on frontline NHS staffing

We will be regularly updating our (new) webpages:
beta.bma.org.uk/news-and-opini…
and have also today released our first round of FAQs:
beta.bma.org.uk/advice-and-sup…
Many more are to come.

We recognise this will be a challenging time for all of us. Our wellbeing support services are open:
- 24/7
- to ALL medical students and doctors
and we are expanding the capacity of our peer support.
There is always someone you can talk to.
03301231245 #COVID19

And regarding expanding our peer support - @TheBMA is looking for more doctors to be part of this. Please do get in touch if interested. A role profile is available on request and interviews will take place by Skype - please email [e-mail]
Thank you 🙌

Update on #ARCP; key points:

- trainees at critical points prioritised
- emphasis on competencies not numbers
- panels to take #COVID19 impact into account

aomrc.org.uk/wp-content/upl…

https://twitter.com/DrSarahHal/status/1240618199068139526