Role of Certification

1. Specialist & GP Certification Process & InformationCaroline Strickland – Team Leader, GMC 27 January 2011

2. Role of Certification • To award Certificates of Completion of Training (CCTs) to those that successfully complete a GMC approved training programme • 2. To evaluate applications from doctors for entry in the Specialist and GP registers from those who have not completed a GMC approved training programme. Successful applicants received a Certificate of Eligibility for Specialist (CESR) or GP (CEGPR) Registration.

3. Why is the CESR route needed? • Allows everyone a route onto the relevant register • Provides a standardised process regardless of the specialty • Gives a potential for career progression to those outside the scope of the previous Order • Provides the quickest way to increase the number of potential consultants in the NHS without reducing the quality or standards of the grade

4. Who can benefit from the CESR route? • A route for UK doctors who have not followed UK training programme to gain entry to the relevant register • A route for overseas trained doctors to gain entry to the relevant register without having to start their postgraduate training all over again • A route for anyone who has a mixture of training and experience to find out what additional training they require to bring them up to the standard of a CCT holder

5. CESR – two different assessments • CESR in a CCT specialty (previously article 14(4)) • CESR in a non-CCT specialty (previously article 14(5))

6. The minimum requirements • Doctors must first meet the minimum requirements in order to be assessed under the CESR route. • For CESR applicants: • A doctor must have either a specialist qualification and or specialist training in the CCT specialty in which they apply. • Specialist training must be a continuous period of at least six months in the applicants CCT specialty.

7. The standards for CESR in a non CCT specialty • Applicants who apply under this route must satisfy the GMC that their specialist training and/or specialist qualifications obtained overseas in a non-CCT specialty, considered together with their specialist experience (wherever obtained) give them “a level of knowledge and skill consistent with practice as a consultant in the National Health Service.”

8. Preparing the application

9. Application Process • Pre-application: • General guidance on the website • Detailed guidance for submitting an application downloadable from the website • Specialty Specific Guidance for each UK specialty detailing the types of evidence applicants should be able to submit to support their application • Telephone/e-mail support is available • Relevant Royal College can provide specialty guidance

10. CCT Curricula • GMC approved curricula came into effect on 1 August 2010 • This means that the new CCT standards can only be applied to applications made on or after that date • Applications made prior to that date are assessed against the old curricula • This will be the situation for some months but we will notify you which curriculum is appropriate for each application

11. Important tips for applicants • Look at the SSG, if some of the evidence is not available to you, perhaps consider delaying the application until it is? • Choose your referees carefully, they need to comment on your clinical competence and ensure you gain their consent before they are sent the form by the GMC. • Re-draft a new CV written in light of the application process, submitting a CV that does not contain the required information will delay your application.

12. The evidence • Primary Evidence i.e. case histories, appraisals • Secondary Evidence i.e. structured reports, testimonials • Advise applicants to concentrate on the last 5 years. If areas of the curriculum not demonstrated may need to look at earlier evidence to demonstrate the depth and breadth of curriculum requirements

13. Primary evidence • Primary and postgraduate qualifications • Certificates or evidence of specialist qualifications • Evidence of curriculum • Training letters and logbooks • Referral letters between colleagues • Rotas and timetables • In and out patient lists • Caseload statistics

14. Primary evidence continued • Workplace based assessments/appraisals • 360 degree feedback • Job plans and PDPs • Agendas of regular meetings • Evidence of participation in audits • Evidence of research • Evidence of publications • Evidence of CPD

15. Secondary evidence • Structured reports (request 6 referees) • Testimonials from colleagues • All of the above evidence, both primary and secondary has to be validated or authenticated in order to be acceptable.

16. How much evidence should be submited • An application should fit into ONE foolscap box and be in the following proportions

17. Application Process • Vast majority of applications are sent to relevant Medical Royal College or Faculty • College undertake an evaluation and send a recommendation to the GMC • GMC consider College recommendation and ensure that it fulfils the relevant standard • Submit some cases to Panels or seek further information from Specialist Partners

18. Statistics to date • Received just under 3,747 CESR applications: • Over 3008 decisions issued (roughly 1701 approved, 1397 turned down) • 241 withdrawn • Just under 198 applications with Colleges for evaluation • 38 reviews in the system

19. How is evidence assessed? • The evidence is assessed against the GMC’s Good Medical Practice four domains: • Knowledge, skills and performance • Safety and quality • Communication, partnership and teamwork • Maintaining trust This guide can be found on the GMC’s website

20. Application Process • Vast majority of applications are sent to relevant Medical Royal College or Faculty • College undertake an evaluation and send a recommendation to the GMC • GMC consider College recommendation and ensure that it fulfils the relevant standard • Submit some cases to Panels or seek further information from Specialist Partners

21. Application Process • GMC issue a decision: • Successful • Unsuccessful • If unsuccessful then indicate what further training the applicant needs to undertake

22. How much will it cost? • CESR Application: £1,600 • Lower fee of £645 for applications resubmitted with additional documentary evidence within three years • Review fee: £645 • Appeal fee • Oral: £2,250 • Written: £1,500