Training Programme Director
Dr Matthew Jones
Email: matthew.jones@nca.nhs.uk
Manchester Centre for Clinical Neurosciences
Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust
Salford Royal Hospital
Stott Lane
Salford
M6 8HD
Overview
Neurology training in the North West is provided at two main centres, Salford Royal (in Greater Manchester) and Royal Preston Hospital. You will rotate between these two sites during your five year training programme. In addition to managing acute neurology at the two centres, you will attend peripheral clinics and see inpatient referrals at other hospitals in the North West.
As well as general neurology, you will rotate through different posts that will give subspecialty experience in movement disorders, epilepsy, stroke, neuromuscular, neuroimmunology, acute neurology and neurodegenerative disease.
Curriculum
Postgraduate doctor/s in training starting from Aug 2022 will be on the new curriculum that incorporates dual training in Internal Medicine and sub-specialty training in Stroke
Other specialty registrars already on the programme follow the 5 year 2010 curriculum.
Further information about both curricula can be found at:
www.jrcptb.org.uk/specialties/neurology
E-portfolios
Doctor/s are responsible for ensuring that all workplace based assessments (WPBA) are recorded in their e-portfolio as per the curriculum requirements. Doctor/s should ensure there is evidence of appropriate meetings with their supervisor and evidence of reflective practice. Various elements within the e-portfolio can be linked with the curriculum to provide evidence that competencies are being gained. Doctor/s are advised to ensure they have completed their e-portfolios in accordance with the decision aid in the curriculum prior to their ARCP.
Educational supervisors
During your placements at Salford and Preston you will have an educational supervisor. Doctor/s joining after August 2022 will have educational supervisors for both Neurology and Internal Medicine. Educational supervision meetings are held regularly and are an opportunity to complete the appropriate paperwork for your e-portfolio. Any immediate concerns regarding your training should be discussed initially with your educational supervisor.
Regional training days
We run a successful programme of regional training days in the North West. These rotate through three neurosciences sites (Walton Liverpool, Preston and Manchester) every month. A register of attendance at these training days will be collated for the STC Chair prior to the ARCP as suggested in the 2010 Curriculum Curriculum.
Out of programme (OOP) experience/research
Doctor/s who have not undertaken neuroscience research previously are encouraged to consider OOP research. This can be done locally at various universities in the North West or elsewhere within the UK. As indicated in the Gold Guide, time out of programme will not normally be agreed until a doctor/s has been in a training programme for at least one year.
Approval for out of programme experience will depend on various factors including the number of neurology doctor/s present at Manchester and Preston, the number of doctor/s currently out of programme and whether an adequate neurology service can be provided with the remaining registrars. Doctor/s planning to go out of programme are strongly advised to discuss their plans with their educational supervisor and the TPD as early as possible.
Teaching
The GMC’s Good Medical Practice document indicates that as a doctor, you should be willing to contribute towards the teaching and training of other doctors and students. At both Preston and Salford you will be involved in medical student teaching. You may also be asked to be involved in MRCP PACES teaching. Trainees are encouraged to become actively involved in teaching and training.
All registrars at ST4 level and above are encouraged to complete Edge Hill University’s Postgraduate Certificate in Workplace Based Postgraduate Medical Education. Funding for Module 1 is currently provided by the North Western Deanery. Further details are found at:
Audit and Quality Improvement
Audit meetings occur regularly at both centres. Doctor/s are encouraged to participate in local and national audits as well as help in developing Quality Improvement projects.
Annual review of competence progression (ARCP)
Doctor/s should be aware that it is their responsibility to ensure that workplace-based assessments and their ePortfolio are complete well in advance of the ARCP. Regular meetings with educational supervisors are vital in order to prepare successfully for ARCP. Decision aids to help with this process are available:
www.jrcptb.org.uk/specialties/neurology
Study Leave
Doctor/s wishing to attend conferences, courses or other educational activities can apply for study leave. Each doctor/s has an annual study leave budget. Any unused funding cannot be carried forward to subsequent years. Requests for study leave must be approved by your educational supervisor, rota coordinator and the training programme director. Details on how to apply for study leave can be found at:
Specialty Certificate Examination (SCE) in Neurology
All doctor/s are now expected to pass the SCE in neurology during the course of their training. The examination is based around the current neurology curriculum. Doctor/s should attempt the examination at an appropriate time in their training as indicated in the ARCP Decision Aid. Full details of the examination and application procedure are found on the Royal College of Physician’s website. Payment of fees for the examination is not provided by the deanery.