Tooke Review Recommends Broader Training for Doctors

Sir John Tooke has published the interim report from the independent inquiry into Modernising Medical Careers (MMC) - the programme established to reform postgraduate medical education. It calls for doctors to undertake more years of broad training before following a specialist route and makes recommendations on areas such as workforce planning, policy development, and the structure of postgraduate training. To coincide with this document, the Government has announced that deaneries will undertake their own recruitment for specialty training in England for 2008 and that start dates will be staggered.

Aspiring to Excellence (Independent Inquiry into MMC, Sir John Tooke’s Interim Report)

Commenting on the report Professor Steve Field, RCGP Chair-elect, said: “We welcome this detailed and comprehensive report into the MMC, which we feel is very good news for general practice.  We are particularly pleased with the report’s recommendation to extend the length of training in general practice from three to five years, bringing the UK into line with other medical specialties and also other developed European countries; the College has been particularly keen to see this happen for a considerable time. We will be consulting on our response to the rest of the report’s recommendations in due course.”

GP Practices Get Better Access to Psychological Therapies

Health Secretary, Alan Johnson, has announced a £170 million investment in psychological therapies to provide better support for people with mental health problems such as anxiety and depression. Building on two demonstration projects, the Government will roll out psychological therapies to twenty new areas in 2008, before increasing services to cover the whole country. The new funding will enable 900,000 extra people to be treated for mental health disorders and all practices to have access to psychological interventions.

The College is in full support of the proposal, and urges the DH and PCTs to work closely with GPs to ensure these treatments are available to patients visiting surgeries.

RCGP Launches Clinical Innovation and Research Centre

The RCGP has launched its new Clinical Innovation and Research Centre (CIRC) to help bridge the gap between research and day-to-day clinical practice. It will improve patient care through clinical effectiveness, quality improvement and research initiatives linked to GP education, training and continuing professional development. The CIRC integrates the College’s existing Clinical Task Groups with the Birmingham Research Unit (BRU) and the National Collaborating Centre for Primary Care (NCC-PC).

Clinical Innovation and Research Centre (RCGP Website)

Presentations from Annual National Primary Care Conference Available Online

The College received a lot of positive feedback from delegates at its first Annual National Primary Care Conference (held at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre on 4-6 October 2007). Presentations can now be downloaded from the conference website, and are listed by day, and then by plenary sessions, concurrent streams, short papers and fringe meetings. The next conference will take place at the Bournemouth International Centre from 2-4 October 2008 and can booked at 2007 prices up to the end of December.

Annual National Primary Care Conference (RCGP Website)

Consultation on the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards in the Mental Capacity Act

Views are being sought on a code of practice and supporting secondary legislation following the introduction of deprivation of liberty safeguards into the Mental Capacity Act 2005. The Ministry of Justice has published a series of consultation documents and comments should be sent to consultation@justice.gsi.gov.uk by 2 December 2007.

Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (Consultation Documents, Ministry of Justice)

New Commission for Equality and Human Rights

A new commission for equality and human rights (CEHR) has been established following the merger of the Equal Opportunities Commission, the Commission for Racial Equality, and the Disability Rights Commission. It brings together the work of all the three organisations, with additional responsibility for other aspects of equality, such as age, sexual orientation, religion or belief, and human rights. It has the power to develop codes of practice and monitor employers to ensure they comply with current legislation.

Equality and Human Rights Commission (CEHR Website)

Guidance

Doctors’ Responsibilities and Death Certification

Sir Liam Donaldson, Chief Medical Officer (CMO), has sent a letter to all GPs addressing concerns about the under-reporting of healthcare associated infections (HCAI) as a cause of death. It reminds doctors that entries in certificates should reflect their best assessment of the cause of death, especially when a patient had an HCAI during their terminal illness.

Healthcare Associated Infections and Death Certification (CMO Letter)

New GMC Registration Framework

The General Medical Council (GMC) will implement a new registration framework on 19 October 2007 to assure public protection and equality of treatment for doctors. Limited registration will be abolished – a category that currently applies to international medical graduates (IMGs) only - enabling them to apply for provisional or full registration.

New Registration Framework for Doctors (GMC Guidance)