National Training Network
1998 Summer Bulletin
An open communication to UK cardiothoracic surgical trainees from
David Hopkinson the trainees representative
on the Executive Committee of the Society of cardiothoracic Surgeons and
The Specialist advisory Committee on Higher Surgical Training in cardiothoracic Surgery.
From the SAC:
88 NTN's are held in the UK. SWAG wish to reduce this number by
non-replacement of posts as people are appointed to Consultant posts
(as has been the case in Plastics, Neuro and ENT). Our leaders have
overruled this, confident that there will be much more expansion of
the consultant grade. I wonder where they get their information from.
As the first true Calman trainees finish this year, it remains to be
seen how draconian the Regional PostGraduate Deans will be in terminating contracts.
Part III Exam:
Discussions are under way for modifications.
It seems likely that it will be split into two sections, the first to
be taken anytime after completion of Year 3, and then the second part
as a true exit exam. The first section will include the basic sciences
and core knowledge of all the CT subspecialties. The exit component will
be based on the candidates preselected long term career ambition i.e. Thoracic,
Cardiothoracic, Paeds. The attractions of these changes are self evident and
I support this concept. However, it is in the early stages only and may well
not affect those who finish in the next 3 years or so.
The 'Summary of Education' document which I am preparing to replace the
red log books should be ratified at the next SAC meeting in September,
and then it will go to the printers. I will suggest that this should be
available on disc from me, so that it can be completed, if desired on a
PC. It will include operative experience, courses, meetings and publications.
It is virtually a "mini CV"for each year of training. Of course you should keep
your own logbook in any format you choose.
Overseas Training:
At the momemt, the JCHST dictates that only half the time spent abroad is
automatically counted towards HST, therefore a 12 month stint will put most
people back by six months (not seen as a major problem by most trainees in the
current climate). However, should this period of training take place in a
top-notch unit, and if the individual so desires, then the rules are soon to be
changed to allow all the time overseas to be accredited.
From The Society:
The PostGraduate Day occurring the day prior to the Society's Annual
meeting next spring is shaping up nicely. This will take place on the
Sunday afternoon. Tom Ferguson (Annals Editor) is next year's honoured
guest and will address the trainees on the subject
"How to get a paper published in the Annals".
Tom Treasure will offer some have thoughts on statistics for us,
and thereafter Jim Munro and Prof Anderson will address us on a paediatric
subject.
Our meeting with Colin Hilton and Pat Magee will follow.
Forthcoming Events:
Saturday November 7th
Cardiothoracic Surgery Research Club
Abstracts of papers presented at the meeting will be published on the web
Saturday November 28th
Young Cardiothoracic Surgeons Club Annual Meeting
Election for Locum trainees' representative
Some of you may know by now that I will be going to Toronto for the whole of next year,
and thus the SAC and Society Executive wish a locum to be elected to attend the
meetings on my behalf. I have found the position of Trainees' Representative to be
rewarding and enlightening. Several trips to the College in London are
required (the Society pays expenses for its meetings, you're on your own for SAC meetings).
Anyone wishing to stand for election should notify me or Graham Cooper before November 20th.
The election will take place at the Stratford meeting in November.
As always, your feedback is most welcome. Attending the meetings armed to
the teeth with widespread opinion makes my input much easier and effective.
Please discuss this letter with all your colleagues for whom I don't have
an E-mail address. If any of them have acquired an address recently, perhaps
you could ask them to let me have it.
