News on the Swine Flu Pandemic

 

The contribution of medical students to services in pandemic flu

Medical students and doctors in training may need to take a more active part in delivering services at a time of national emergency, in order to maintain safe services for patients. This paper from the Department of Health provides national guidance about the contribution of medical students.

 

PMETB principle in relation to trainees and training during times of national emergency - July 2009

Doctors will play a vital role in helping the country during a time of national emergency, such as an influenza pandemic.

PMETB supports trainees contributing appropriately to health services delivery in these exceptional circumstances, and appreciates that this may, for a limited period, take precedence over training. Notwithstanding, trainees must always work within their competence, and supported by appropriate supervision.   

PMETB maintains that the approved curriculum and programme must be appropriately delivered and that should anything impede this then the length of training may be extended. PMETB expects postgraduate deans and their organisations to manage this issue locally on an individual trainee basis, in conjunction with the Colleges. PMETB does accept that some, or all, experience gained during a time of national emergency may constitute training. This will depend upon the specialty, the supervision arrangements, and the requirements of the curriculum and assessments.

The ARCP/RITA processes will help ensure that the relevance and appropriateness of the experiences can be considered in relation to training. It should also mean that trainees are clear about the implications for their training, including potential extension.

Trainees are advised to consult the GMC’s Good Medical Practice – Responsibilities of doctors in a national pandemic (http://www.gmc-uk.org/guidance/news_consultation/medical_pandemic.asp).

Added 03/08

 

Swine Flu Latest Information

  • For all the last information on Swine Flu, including Swine Flu self assessment, visit www.nhs.uk
  • A Swine Flu information line is available on 0800 1 513 513
  • Further information, including links to other Government departments, is available at www.direct.gov.uk
  • For further information, visit the Health Protection Agency website at www.hpa.org.uk
Added 23/07

 

Swine Flu: Implications for Postgraduate Training

Health officials continue to observe the impact of Swine Flu on a national level. Although the flu pandemic has had no considerable implications on postgraduate training at present, this cannot be ruled out should the situation deteriorate. If there are developments that could affect postgraduate training, decisions would be taken on a national level, and communicated via this page. Trainees should visit the homepage regularly to keep 'up to date' in case of developments.

Added 23/06