Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) [Under revision - August 2008]

What is the relationship between my training location and my employer?
 Bristol North PCT is the ‘host’ employer for the Public Health Training Scheme. You are therefore subject to terms and conditions for Senior Managers Agenda for Change: NHS Terms and Conditions of Service/Hospital Medical & Dental Staff & Doctors in Public Health Medicine & the Community Health Service (England & Wales).  Terms and Conditions of Service are covered by Bristol North PCT Policies and Procedures, a copy of which is available from the Programme Office, King Square House.

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Where do I get holiday forms and travel & subsistence (t&s) forms?
 Bristol North PCT is the ‘host’ employer for the Public Health Training Scheme. You are therefore subject to terms and conditions for Senior Managers Agenda for Change: NHS Terms and Conditions of Service/Hospital Medical & Dental Staff & Doctors in Public Health Medicine & the Community Health Service (England & Wales).  Terms and Conditions of Service are covered by Bristol North PCT Policies and Procedures, a copy of which is available from the Programme Office, King Square House.

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Who signs my t&s and holiday forms?

You must sign each claim. The declaration is an important part of your claim. You must have your claim authorised by your local service trainer or current supervisor before returning it to me at the Programme Office.
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Who do I speak to if I have a query about pay?

You should contact HR in the first instance, either by telephone or email, if the query cannot be answered by HR you will be given the contact details of the relevant person.

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Who do I speak to if I'm sick?
 In the first instance contact your training location.  Inform HR and forward any sickness certificates to HR (BNPCT policy for sickness absence available from the Programme office).
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Is there a view on travel within the region?
 The geography of the south west region can make travel a challenge.  Training events are always planned at locations within a reasonable walk or taxi journey from a train station.  Trainees are encouraged to use public transport where practicable.  If travelling by car, trainees are encouraged to share the journey with colleagues.

Travelling and subsistence expenses incurred in the normal course of your duties will be reimbursed in accordance with current Agenda for Change: NHS Terms and Conditions of Service.

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Is there a list of all of the training locations in the South West?

Yes, a spreadsheet with a list of the current training locations can be found on the secure part of the website (see below). Each trainee is place in an approved numbered slot.

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How are training locations approved?
 Training locations must be approved by Faculty of Public Health and this is done at the annual Faculty visit to the region.  Each year the Faculty requires a considerable amount of information about all aspects of training which is sent to the Faculty visitors prior to either a physical visit to the region or a ‘paper visit’.

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How do I contact other trainees?

There are three principal ways of contacting other trainees using home and work-based computers.

1. E-mail

The South West Public Health Training Co-coordinator, Beth Carpenter, will from time to time contact you via e-mail with the e-mail addresses of your fellow trainees displayed in the address bar. By using the “Reply to all” feature of your e-mail programme you can contact them all.

E-mail communications from the Training Co-coordinator will normally be used when a response is requested, for example when booking places for a tutorial. For most other e-mail communications our own mail list, SWPH-EDUCATION has some useful extra features, which are described below.

2. SWPH-EDUCATION Mail List

A mail list is based on a continually updated list of the names and e-mail addresses of colleagues who wish to use email to communicate with each other. SWPH-EDUCATION may be used to discuss work with other members, share news, collaborate on projects and publications, announce conferences, arrange meetings or just to keep in touch. All contributions are held in a password-protected searchable archive.

All trainees are automatically signed up to the mail list. Further information can be found at: www.mailtalk.ac.uk/lists/swph-education.html

and on our own web site at: http://www.swph-education.org.uk/mailtalk

3. SWPH-EDUCATION Discussion Room

A Discussion Room, a kind of glorified chat room, for SWPH-EDUCATION list members only, has recently been made available. It may not be accessible from some work computers, but should work from most home machines.

For further information go to: www.swph-education.org.uk/discussion_room.htm

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How do I get into the non-public web pages?

At the moment, papers and web pages which should only be accessed by Public Health trainers and trainees are kept on a secure part of www.swph-education.org.uk

The coded address to this is, in effect the password to these pages and can be obtained from:
Training Coordinator, Beth Carpenter (telephone: 0117 900 2679, e-mail: Beth.Carpenter@bristolnorth-pct.nhs.uk )
Web Developer, Callum MacLeod (telephone 01872 272335, e-mail: callum@callum.co.uk)
A password protected area of the web site is currently being tested and when the confidential material has been located there its address and password will be circulated to all concerned.

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Who is the webmaster?

The Webmaster, (who prefers to be called the Web Developer) is Callum MacLeod, a Health Librarian/Knowledge Manager who spends several days per month working on the web site from his home office in Truro, Cornwall.

He is available at at any time for advice on issues concerning the web site, the mail list and the use of the Internet in general

Contact Details:
Callum MacLeod
tel. 01872 272335,
e-mail: callum@callum.co.uk
www.swph-education.org.uk
 

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What does the webmaster do and what doesn’t he do?

What he does:

·         Designs, constructs and maintains the web site and its backups

What he doesn’t do:

Engage in controversy on the mail list

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What is an NTN? Do all trainees have them?

All trainees hold a National Training Number that is unique to them. The total stock of NTN’s is allocated from a central pool to each Deanery nationally. The Deanery then reports back annually to the Department of Health to verify the stock. Non Medical Trainees will find that their NTN ends in a P and non EEA residents will have one that ends in a V.

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What is the Deanery?

The Deanery looks after the Postgraduate Education of doctors in the region

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What is the Deanery’s involvement with my training?

The Deanery will keep a record of your training and yearly assessments. It is extremely important that you advise them to any changes in your circumstances that may have an impact on your training.

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Do I have to enrol with the FPH?

All trainees who enter higher specialist training programmes in public health, whether SpRs or SpTs, are required to enrol with the Faculty within three months of appointment in order to qualify for a CCST in the specialty of public health medicine, or to register as a Generalist Specialist with the Voluntary Register for Public Health Specialists. The enrolment process enables the Faculty to oversee and monitor the progress of trainees throughout their training and maintain national standards of training by ensuring the excellence of the training provided in programmes. It is not possible to enrol for higher medical training from a locum or temporary appointment, irrespective of grade.

Application forms for enrolment  can be downloaded from the Faculty web site at http://www.fph.org.uk/training/higher_specialist_training_programme/enrolment.asp

 Applications should be accompanied by a full Curriculum Vitae and a signed copy of RITA form A. The applications should be countersigned by the Faculty Adviser, who will check for accuracy and also for appropriateness for the total training programme of that trainee. Completed forms and supporting documents should then be returned to the Faculty Education office.

See the Faculty web site at: http://www.fph.org.uk/training/higher_specialist_training_programme/enrolment.asp

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What is RITA?
What is a RITA Form C? What is a RITA form D?
 

The annual RITA (Record of In Training Assessment) takes place soon after appointment as a SpR/SpT and usually annually thereafter. Progress is assessed by the regional panel (usually of 6 people) and includes review of portfolio “sign ups”, exam outcomes and reports from supervisors. If this review is regarded as satisfactory then a Form C is issued which permits progress to the next year of training. If progress is regarded as unsatisfactory then on occasions a Form D is issued which specifies particular pieces of intensive training and a requirement to re attend for a RITA review in 3 or 6 months.
See the Faculty web site at:
http://www.fph.org.uk/training/higher_specialist_training_programme/rita_assessment.asp

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What does the Faculty Adviser do?

The Faculty Adviser, who is a Member or Fellow of the Faculty holding a consultant level post, is elected by Faculty members in his/her region for a three year period, which can be extended by one or two years on further election.  The role is to promote and maintain high standards of professional competence and performance of public health across the 10 key competency areas.

Thus the Faculty Adviser has a role in approving all job descriptions for Specialist and Consultant posts before they are advertised, sits on all RITA panels in the region ( and currently chairs them), sits on all appointment committees for entrants to the SpR/SpT programme in the region.  S/he is also available to give individual advice & help to all trainees and other colleagues.

Full details of the role specification can be found by clicking onto “Elections for Faculty Advisors” (sic) at the following web site:

http://www.fph.org.uk/prof_affairs/elections/default.asp

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What is a CCST and does this change if I take time off for sickness/a baby/ change to part time working?

In simple terms, the CCST date is the date at which each SpR/SpT is expected to have completed their training and to be issued with the appropriate forms to be eligible to apply for, and take up, Consultant/Specialist posts. A date is given at the start of the training and is usually 60 ( full time) calendar months hence, on the assumption a MPH course will be taken. If a MPH course is not required then the CCST date may be set as 48 (full time) calendar months ahead. This time period may be shortened further in recognition of previous relevant experience. Such a decision would be recommended by a RITA panel, often in the third year of training. Equally, if satisfactory progress is not being made then an extension of a CCST date may be recommended.
If a trainee goes part time then the CCST extends pro rata ( so for example a trainee reducing to half time when only 12 months away from their CCST date would have their CCST date extended by 12 months and so would be 72 months from their original start date).
A trainee is allowed a maximum absence on maternity leave/sick leave of 13 weeks without the CCST date being affected. Any sick leave or maternity leave in excess of this will cause a pro rata extension of the CCST date. (Please note there is not a second 13 week CCST allowance in respect of a subsequent pregnancy!).
It is important to note, that irrespective of the time calculations shown above, a RITA panel will not issue the relevant CCST paperwork without evidence of a full sign up of the Portfolio and completion of all relevant Faculty exams.
 

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What is my academic trainer for?

Each trainee is allocated an academic trainer. Your academic trainer will be working in a university department in the University of Bristol, University of West England (UWE) or the Peninsula Medical School. Your trainer will make contact with you soon after you start the scheme and will arrange a meeting within the first month of your starting work on the training scheme. There is an introductory day that explains the role of academic trainers and academic training opportunities on the training scheme. This is held in the Department of Social Medicine, University of Bristol once a year in the first 1-2 months of most trainees beginning on the scheme. In brief academic trainers provide the following:

  1. Together with your service trainer provide advice and support for major pieces of work undertaken during training.
  2. Together with the service trainer ensure that all RITA competences, in particular the academic competences, are met over the course of your training
  3. Provide support for trainees taking Part I examination e.g. marking practice questions
  4. Provide support for trainees preparing for OSPHES and part II examination
  5. Advise on training opportunities in academic public health
  6. PhD supervision for trainees who become lecturers / academic trainees
  7. Support with writing papers for peer review in journals or at conference presentations

In general we would like each trainee to meet face to face with their academic trainer on at least 2 occasions per year (this is the minimum) preferably at least one of these will be a three way meeting with the service trainer, trainee and academic trainer.  However geography may sometimes inhibit this.  In such cases, good quality communications needs to reflect the meeting to insure alignment. It is the responsibility of the trainee to arrange the 3-way meetings and keep in contact

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What is Part 1 or Part A?

The Part 1 Membership of Faculty of Public Health, soon to be replaced by Part A, is an exam which all trainees must pass if they are to complete their training and gain their CCST. Trainees are expected to sit this exam in June following their entrance onto the scheme. The MSc in Public Health provides the knowledge for this exam.

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Who will give me advice about which modules to take during MPH?

Service and Academic Trainers will give advice on the most useful modules to help you Part 1/ A MFPH examinations.

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What is an OSPHE?

The Part B / OSPHE (Objective Structured Public Health Examination) is
replacing the Part II exam (see below). The first sitting will be in
January 2006. Trainees will take Part B six months after passing Part A.
The new exam is currently under development and piloting by the Faculty and
so its exact format is not yet clear. It is anticipated that candidates
will be taken through a scripted "Standardised Public Health Scenario"
during which they will be expected to act as if they were in a real life
situation with one or more individuals playing other roles, or with a
public health problem set out in a computer simulation (see ph.com March
2005).

You may hear some of the more senior trainees talking about Part IIs. This
refers to the old assessment for MFPH which is no longer in existence for
new trainees (and is being phased out for old trainees - last sitting date
June 2008) and so will not be discussed further.

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What is a portfolio?

A portfolio is a record of evidence. It is intended to demonstrate that you have learned particular competencies. Such a portfolio consists of work that you have been involved with and shows the depth of skill that you have applied to the competencies.

Evidence may be:

The Public Health Training Scheme has it own very specific portfolio which can be found on the Faculty of Public Health Website (www.fphm.org.uk)  The level and form of evidence required to meet the individual competencies will be the subject of discussion with your trainer when you establish your learning contract and as an on going feature of your training programme.  As each individual placement and working life of a trainee is to some extent unique, while guidance is provided by the Faculty as to the type of evidence, it is difficult to be prescriptive beyond this.

 

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What is a mentor?

The word mentor comes from Homer, Mentor was a friend of Odysseus and adviser to his son. It’s usage in the Health Service has subtle variations from a more senior and experienced colleague who acts as an advisor to the more formal teaching and tutoring role. Usually mentors are slightly outside the formal structures of the organisations to enable more impartial support to be provided.

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Do I have a mentor?

A formal mentoring arrangement does not exist on the training scheme however you may wish to identify someone more senior and experienced to whom you can turn to for advice if necessary. However this role should not replace the on going working relationship with your trainer.

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How do I get IT support?

Your first port of call for IT support will be the IT or IM&T department at your training location. They will have the expert knowledge of local systems and software and be able to handle all queries in relation to your everyday software. You will receive your laptop from them and they will configured it for use on the local network. It is worth investing in developing good links with one or two IT professionals within your training location as this will make things much easier if you do have problems subsequently.

Your first port of call for IT support will be the IT or IM&T department at your training location. They will have the expert knowledge of local systems and software and be able to handle all queries in relation to your everyday software. You will receive your laptop from them and they will configured it for use on the local network. It is worth investing in developing good links with one or two IT professionals within your training location as this will make things much easier if you do have problems subsequently.

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How do I get IT training?

Most training locations offer training to a fairly advanced level in use of the everyday software packages such as Word and Excel, Outlook (or alternative e-mail systems), Powerpoint and the like. If you are a complete IT novice (unlikely) then it is worth investing in the introductory courses as this will save much time and frustration otherwise you will probably learn as you go along. All training locations will have access to training for the European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL) – which is a self directed learning programme that aims to make you proficient at a basic level in IT skills. It involves up to 80 hours training (for a complete novice) in a modular format and leads to a widely recognised qualification (ECDL) on successful completion of the examination. ]

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Who is my buddy?

Your ‘buddy’ is a more senior trainee who has agreed to provide you with advice and support should you wish it. The relationship is there to augment the support offered by your trainer and other colleagues and is primarily aimed at tiding you over the difficult initial period where you may fell slightly at sea. It is up to you and your buddy to agree how your relationship will work out but most buddies are happy to be contacted about anything and can provide useful insight into how to get things done. Having a buddy doesn’t preclude you from contacting any of the other trainees should you wish to – your buddy is there to ensure that there should always be someone that you feel comfortable about approaching with your questions.

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What does the Programme Director do?

The Programme Director directs and manages the Public Health Specialist Training Programme and other aspects of specialist Public Health training. The Programme Director works in conjunction with the South West Public Health Training Committee, which sets the overall strategic direction for the Training Programme The Programme Director also has responsibilities for fulfilling Deanery requirements such as the RITA process and reporting on training numbers.

 
Where does the funding come from for public health training?

Funding comes Workforce Development Confederation and is co-ordinated for the south west region through the Strategic Health Authority.

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What is the training committee and who sits on it?

The training committee oversees the establishment, implementation and monitoring of a comprehensive approach to public health training and continuing professional development in the South West, including the running and oversight of the regional training programme for public health specialists in the South West.
The training committee is chaired by Dr Gabriel Scally, Regional Director of Public Health and comprises a mix of people with involvement in public health training i.e. trainers, trainees, academics, CCDCs, Government Office reps. A full list can be found in the training policy.

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Revised: 07 October 2007

You may download these FAQs as a Word document here