ARCP

Summary of requirements to progress to ARCP:

• A previous ESR in ST3 with a satisfactory outcome. If the trainee was given an unsatisfactory outcome in an earlier ESR this will need to be addressed in the final review through ES comments and additional evidence
• A final ESR ideally within 8 weeks of ARCP
• Trainee and ES ratings of competent for licensing against all 13 capabilities in thefinal ESR
• Linked evidence to support the capabilities, which can come from entire ST3 time.
• BLS/AED and child safeguarding level 3 updates which need to be in date andevidenced in the ePortfolio
• The ES making a judgment on all of the available evidence in the ePortfolio andgiving a satisfactory overall outcome in the final ESR. 

Due to Covid-19 enforced changes in educational opportunities and trainee service provision it is
likely that a number of trainees will not have the usual evidence of capability due to circumstances beyond their control. The RCGP has issued ARCP guidance about this.
Selected summary points;-

• It is expected that trainees due to complete training and those due an annual review will have their ARCP panel.
• It is confirmed that the absolute minimum time in training for certification is 34 months (implications for trainees who have had to self-isolate as this time should be included in TOOT unless the trainee was remote working whilst isolating).
• ESRs can be completed remotely – how do do that can be worked out between ES and GPST.
• A new satisfactory ARCP outcome: Outcome 10 (Covid-19) – the trainee is progressing at the expected rate but the acquisition of some capabilities (eg WPBAs, exams) has been delayed due to Covid-19.
• Outcome 10.1 – satisfactory progress for trainees not due to complete training e.g. not done the full WPBA asessments required for stage of training due to Covid-19. Trainee may progress to next stage of training – e.g. ST1 to ST2 – with panel recommendations for future training.
• Outcome 10.2 – satisfactory progress for trainees due to complete training but unable to meet CCT requirements because not passed AKT and CSA due to Covid-19. An extension to training will be required together with panel recommendations for future training.
• Arising from above; Altered requirements for satisfactory progress allowing outcome 6 (CCT) or outcome 10 to be awarded.
• The above has implications for ESRs. If the trainee has met the new minimum requirements then the ES should rate as “Satisfactory Progress” and not “Panel Opinion Requested”.

• MRCGP-ARCPs-Covid-19
• RCGP Covid-19 ARCP Guidance
• Flow-Charts-to-aid-GP-Educational-Supervisors-Covid-19-Yorkshire-Humber

ARCP stands for Annual Review of Competency Progression.  Local ARCP panels meets yearly to review how each trainee is progressing in terms of the 13 Professional Capabilties defined by the RCGP and evidenced on the eportfolio.  Panels generally take place twice a year in June (for August starters) and January (for February starters).

The local panel review your eportfolio comprehensively in a structured way lookoing for evidence in each of the clinical experince groups (CEGs) under each of the 13 RCGP capabilities. The ARCP process does not involve a face-to-face review with the trainee.  That is why maintaining your ePortfolio is critical. Your progress is judged via your ePortfolio only. Your ePortfolio is what represents you. In order to help the panel reveiw your evidence we request you complete the a (new) ES work book every time you change ST years.

If a trainee is deemed to be doing well, they can then be signed off to go onto the next ST year (or be given their Certificated of Completion of Training – CCT – if they are in their final year).     For the ARCP panel to be able to sign the trainee off, on top of having the right number of Work-Place Based Assessments and log entries,  they have to have their Educational and Clinical Supervisor’s reports uploaded. If an ARCP is deemed unsatisfactory, a trainee may be called by a central panel for a face-to-face review.

The checklist below provides an idea of the evidence the panel will looking out for. The ES workbook can help the panel reveiw your mapped evdience more easily;

• ARCP-Checklist
• ES-workbook

The scheme runs a dedicated modular course to help you best prepare your eportfolio evidemnce ahead of the ARCP panel. It is very important you attend this day at least omnce in your training, preferably in ST1, to give you an idea of what the panel expects.

Theres also a host fo resources available online at the HEE YH web page and www.bradfordvts.co.uk;

• YH HEE ARCP
• Guidance for Satisfactory Progression at ARCP Panels

• Make sure you have had a recent ES meeting.  If so, hopefully all the things below will have been done.    
• Complete any missing/outstanding items from your ES meeting  e.g. WPBA, PDPs, OOH etc.
• Upload your Form R – and detail any serious complaints and incidents.
• Get a CSR done for each post
• Please ensure there is a completed ES-workbook which has been upload it to your learning log under the section “Professional Conversation” with the title “The ES Workbook”.
• Make sure you have MORE than the minimum number of CBDs, COTs/Mini-CEXs. The assessments should also show competence levels appropriate to your stage of training and demonstrate progression and improvement over time. You can check how many WPBA assessments you need here.
• Make sure you are making good progress with your CEPS.
• Make sure you have a good number of log entries for them to look at.  Also be certain to make sure that there is a variety of entries (like clinical encounters, professional conversations, audit/projects, significant events etc).
• Your entries need to show a good depth of reflection and analysis- like focusing on your own attitudes, ethics and core values as well as the knowledge and skills domains.   Remind your trainer or Clinical Supervisor (e.g. hospital consultant) to read AND map them to the Professional Capabilities. (N.B. Trainees map to Curriculum Headings, Trainers map to Professional Capabilities).
• Make sure you are using your PDP – and making the most of it. This should list identified learning needs, realistic ways to meet them, and show that some of them have been met.
• Use the ARCP-Checklist to ensure all is in order.