Maternity

Arrange a meeting with your Educational Supervisor:
1. To see where you are at in terms of training
2. To make plans for what you need to do when you come back
3. The most important reason: the College guidance is that short posts (less than 3 months whole time equivalent) may count towards training PROVIDING that there is at least a minimum amount of evidence which has been officially reviewed before the trainee goes off.  This minimum evidence translates to a pro-rata number of CBDs, COTs, Mini-CEXs, log entries, PDPs and so on – but also a CS Report.  The CS report is essential and trainees often overlook the need for this before they go off on maternity but without completing it, what you have done so far cannot count towards training!

This official ES review should be recorded in the Review Preparation section of the ePortfolio.  It is used to certify the period of the post that has been completed so far so that it can count for training and it needs to record:
1. The ES will need to make a comment on any substantial evidence submitted in that review period.
2. The ES will need to make a comment about your progress.
3. The ES will need to set out a development plan to be followed upon your return to the programme.

In some circumstances, you may need an extra ARCP before going on leave.  The important thing to remember is that trainees should not have periods of training which are not assessed at ARCP, (it can be difficult to fully review a period and ESR done a long time ago so booking an ARCP to prevent this is often useful).  This will also ensure that the trainee gets feedback and directions for actions if appropriate as close to the period of training as possible.

Trainees on maternity leave may add log entries during their maternity leave, they may go on courses or do ‘keeping in touch’ days. These are all good things and evidence of their commitment to their training, but not compulsory.

Arrange for an informal ESR early on – within 2 months of your return.  The purpose of this is to:

1. To touch base and help both you and your Educational Supervisor get your bearings right
2. To see where you left off and that you are both clear in your minds about what needs doing and by when. As this is not a formal ESR, the ES only needs to document this bit in the Educator’s Notes

Within 1 month of your return, work out your personal training map as per guidance below (where you work out the date of your next  ESR, ST transition and ARCP panel). Double check these with the GP Training Scheme Administrator who will cross check to make sure your ePortfolio reads the same.  If their is variance or any queries, please raise it with your GP Training Scheme Administrator.

1. Determine when your last ARCP was done: you will find your last ARCP date under ‘ARCP’ on the home page and note the date of the last one.  If you’re ST1 and not had any as of yet, take the date you started the scheme as this date.
2. Now work out one year from the last ARCP. This will be a progress ARCP review.  If this date has passed, please contact your GP Training Scheme Administrator as soon as possible.
3. Also work out the date you are due to move up an ST stage (e.g St1 to ST2, or ST2 to ST3 etc).  This will be a transition ARCP review.

Your next ARCP date is date in 2 or 3, whichever is the soonest. If this date is close to June, it can be done along with all the regular June ARCPs; otherwise, it will be done separately.  If you’re an ST3 and due to be completing the scheme, your final ARCP has to be 2 months before your CCT (completion) date.  This gives the College enough time to get your CCT certificate processed.

If you’re coming back as part-time (i.e. LTFTT) – then the advice in this section still applies. But please read the advice above for part-time (LTFTT) trainees too and double check your dates still marry up.  If you are unsure, check with your GP Training Scheme Administrator

• If you have come back full-time, you do what every other full-time trainee needs to do.
• If you are part time – then the minimum number of WPBA assessments that you need to do is reduced pro rata accordingly.  So, a part time ST2 trainee doing a 1 year post at 50% needs to do a MINIMUM of 1.5 CBDs every 6 months (or 3 in the 12 month period).  An similar 50% trainee at ST3 level would need to do a minimum of 3 CBDs every 6 months  (or 6 in the 12 month period).