OTG Forum Congress 2009 Questions and Answers session for College Officers AttendenceFormal electronic register report awaitedHeadcount 94 trainees11
consultants other than the speaking college officers Miss Brenda Billingon, President Is a CCT still considered by the College to enough for being eligible for a Consultant post? Does the college envisage the CCT qualification is enough to be eligible for a consutant job Yes, but CCT achievement does not necessarily
mean you will get the job as all jobs, trainee and otherwise are appointed on merit and a competitive basis Mr Peter McDonnell, Vice
President and Chairman Education Committee Could the college give some indication of the safety net procedures in place to protect training
in light of reduced working hours of EWTD?
EWTD impact is being monitored by the college.
EWTD must be adhered to. Using formal teaching sessions/study sessions as a way to minimise hours is not acceptable and college
tutors are aware of this.
Does the college envisage extended training
time in view of the working time restraints imposed by EWTD?
No. As the new curriculum is competency
based it is expected that training requirements will be met within existing time frameworks
F2 Training – Will there be any college
guidance on foundation training in ophthalmology so as to standardise training across the UK? Formal
guidance already exists and is available on the college website
What are the College’s
views on junior STs taking an out of programme experience? This is not discouraged but must be subject
to the normal routes of approval and must be relevant to training, although not always clinical or scientifically based. Is there a plan/advice for
the 'lost tribe' of FTSTAs who are seeing the number of entry points to run through training diminish rapidly? There
has always been incongruity between SHO and registrar posts in the past. Not all old style trainees progessed to SpR training.
There will continue to be small numbers of ST2/3 level jobs available over the coming years. Article 14 represents another
way to gain entry to the specialist register.
In what format(s) will the College accept logbooks when trainees come to be considered for the
CCT? Many trainees record on paper or Excel and it is a lot of work to go back and re edit log books sometimes having to rewrite
them. Most formats acceptable as long as all the relevant information is displayed. Trainees are advised to refer to
the sample logbook on the college website. Trainees encouraged to summarise numbers of cases such as corneal grafts, ptosis etc as it can
be difficult to pick these out of the full logbook. Why does the College review trainees’ logbooks for CCT application if the Deanery has already
given the trainee a RITA G after reviewing your appraisal and log books? Ultimately it is the college’s responsibility to
ensure that you are adequately trained and meet all standards not the Deanery. Is it reasonable that the College can turn around at
this last minute and refuse CCT when a Deanery has signed a trainee off as having completed necessary time and CCT requirements?
It seems fairer that once you have RITA G and your exam you naturally get put through to PMETB for CCT and Specialist
registration. Mr David Cottrell, Vice President and Chairman Education Committee If a Specialist trainee has
completed enough competencies to complete 2 years in one would they have to do the case based discussions for the missed year? Yes. The number of case based discussions was decided on by lay members of the committee and CBDs would
have to be completed for the missed/gap year
When will
the down loadable version of the e-portfolio be available to the trainees?Imminently. How are College Tutors chosen and the quality monitored? Proposals for a particular person are made
and eligible candidates are reviewed at the education committee meeting. It is unusual to have many candidates for one vacancy
when it appears. The appointee undergoes approved training. Quality control is monitored informally by trainee feedback and
more formally at RITA/ARCP feedback. There are plans to develop this further Miss
Carole Jones, Honorary Treasurer
College fees are due in January
of each year. At present no routine reminders are sent out. Trainees often receive letters telling them that their subscriptions
are in arrears and they do not intend them to be. There are so many subs we pay it is difficult to send all in a timely manner
without reminders. Most other organisations do send reminders either paper or electronic. The College make the point in their
arrears letter that paper reminders cost money. Could the college email trainees on their contact list to advise them that
subscriptions are due? This would be a cost effective way of ensuring they get their money in a timely manner. The college agreed with this and will try to communicate
by email now as they recognise that people move house frequently and email addresses are more constant. Dr Carrie MacEwan, Vice President and Chairman Examination Committee Could the college clarify the position on the logbook
and viva exit exam? There are reports that this is due to finish in 2016.The College has given assurances to STs who have taken MRCOphth that they can use the Exit Assessment; will they
turn back on their promises? There
will be a formal end date to the old logbook and viva exam but the college aim to ensure that all trainees who are working
towards this exam will be able to sit it. This is partly due to external forces such as PMETB approval. The point was made
that the case book and viva exam involves a lot of prep work and as such cannot be undertaken at the last minute. Extras
Dr MacEwen also took this opportunity to
apologise unreservedly for the major college failings over the part 1 exam which led to it being declared invalid. This was
reported to be due to a serious administrative error where proper protocol was not followed and only half the exam paper was
printed. The exam will be rescheduled for a Saturday in October to minimise impact on the training units. All candidates will
get an exam fee refund but not expenses refund. She made the point that the college does realise the significant impact this
had on trainees sitting the exam and disciplinary action was being taken.
7 May
2009 
