Workforce, training and education
Yorkshire and Humber

Appraisal & Assessment

Each doctor/dentist in a training programme (referred to as Postgraduate Doctors in Training PGDiTs) is subject to an annual assessment of their competence, as outlined in the following guidance documents

The Gold Guide, 10th Edition (2024) A Reference Guide for Postgraduate Foundation and Specialty Training in the UK 

The Dental Gold Guide (2023) A Reference Guide for Postgraduate Dental Core and Specialty Training in the UK 

The Blue Guide (2022) A Reference Guide for Postgraduate Dental Foundation Training in England, Wales and Northern Ireland

The assessment, known as an RCP or ARCP, provides a formal process in which a panel reviews the evidence presented by the Postgraduate Doctor in Training (PGDiT) and their educational supervisor relating to the Postgraduate Doctor's in Training (PGDiT's) progress in the training programme. This may be via an ePortfolio.  It enables the Postgraduate Doctor in Training (PGDiT) the Postgraduate Dean and employers to document that the competences required are being gained at an appropriate rate and through appropriate experience.

The RCP/ARCP process is applicable to all Postgraduate Doctors in Training (PGDiTs) including: 

Academic trainees 

Out of programme trainees 

Less than full time trainees 

 

Prior to the ARCP

An ARCP assessment will be arranged to review your training progress. The ARCP will be held in accordance with A Reference Guide for Postgraduate Foundation and Specialty Training in the UK (the “Gold Guide”), Tenth Edition 2024.

All ARCP panels are now hosted virtually, and Postgraduate Doctors in Training are no longer expected to attend.

For information about the ARCP process, please familiarise yourself with the video and other information on the Deanery website.

Preparation

Postgraduate Doctors in Training (PGDiTs) will be required to submit evidence throughout their training year, which demonstrates that they are meeting the requirements set out in the curriculum of their training programme. 

To prepare for your ARCP, please refer to the College decision aid(s) and curriculum requirements for your Specialty Programme, which can normally be found on the relevant School’s webpage or your college website. The ARCP panel can only make a decision based on the evidence provided in your portfolio. You should discuss your portfolio with your Educational Supervisor prior to the ARCP taking place. If there are any matters that you do not feel comfortable discussing with your Educational Supervisor, which may have a direct impact on your training, please ensure you approach your Training Programme Director in advance of the ARCP.

Academic Postgraduate Doctors in Training (PGDiTs) will also need to submit a Report on Academic Progress.  

Postgraduate Doctors in Training (PGDiTs) will be notified in writing by NHS England of the deadline in which all of their evidence must be uploaded to their eportfolio or submitted via email if an eportfolio is not used by the training programme. Evidence uploaded after this date will not be considered by the RCP/ARCP panel.  

Form R (Part B)

Before your ARCP, all Post Graduate Doctors in Training (PGDiTs) registered with the Gemenral Medical Council (GMC) and as part of the revalidation process, you must submit a Form R (Part B). The process for submission has changed - you should now complete the Form R (Part B ONLY) using TIS Self-Service.

You should complete the Form R by the submission of evidence deadline, ensuring you save a copy of the completed form (downloadable as a PDF file once completed) to your ePortfolio.

If for any reason your situation or any of the information reported on your Form R changes between the time of submision and your ARCP taking place, you must submit a new form. We DO NOT require an emailed copy of the form once completed via TIS Self-Service.

Statutory Leave

If you will be on statutory leave (e.g., sick, parental or adoption leave) at the time of the ARCP your evidence will not be reviewed by an ARCP Panel and you will be issued an 'N' (Not Assessed) outcome. A full ARCP will normally be arranged after your return. However, please ensure that all your statutory leave up to the ARCP date is recorded accurately on your ePortfolio as part of your placement history and on your Form R (Part B).

Trainees on statutory leave are still required to submit a Form R (Part B). This is to ensure that there are no gaps in your revalidation history and to inform the Revalidation team of any incidents which may have taken place/or been resolved since your last ARCP, and prior to commencement of your leave.

If you haven’t already done so, please inform the Programme Support team and your TPD of your statutory leave, including start and return dates (if known).

Progression and CCT calculation

Please ensure you include an up-to-date CCT calculator on your portfolio before your ARCP and share it with your Training Program Director (TPD). This will help determine an accurate training progression and completion date. Failure to complete and update the calculator may result in an ARCP Outcome 5.

Additionally, list all your training placements from the start of your specialty training, including any placements in other Deanery regions. You can find a CCT calculator on the NHSE Yorkshire and Humber website, or alternatively on your Royal College's website.

The RCP/ARCP

Postgraduate Doctors in Training (PGDiTs) will not be involved in the RCP/ARCP panel, which is why all evidence must be presented by the deadline. The RCP/ARCP panel will gather face-to-face, or remotely, to consider all of the evidence submitted and award a numbered outcome.  

Outcome 

Medical Postgraduate Doctors in Training (PGDiTs) including foundation, core and general practice 

Dental Foundation Postgraduate Doctors in Training (PGDiTs)

Dental Core Postgraduate Doctors in Training (PGDiTs)

Dental Specialty Postgraduate Doctors in Training (PGDiTs) including post-CCST training 

1 - Satisfactory progress – Achieving progress and the development of competences at the expected rate 

X (IRCP only)

X  (IRCP only)

2 - Development of specific competences required 

X (IRCP only)

X (IRCP only)

3 - Inadequate progress – Additional training time required 

X 

4 - Released from training programme – With or without specified competences 

5 - Incomplete evidence presented so panel unable to make a decision 

6 - Gained all required competences to complete training programme 

7 - Postgraduate Doctors in Training (PGDiTs) in post-CCST Training Posts

 

 

 

X (post CCST Trainees only)

8 - Out of programme for clinical experience, research or a career break 

 

 

 

All RCP/ARCP panels will be held via telephone digital technology.  

The RCP/ARCP panel will complete an outcome form which details the outcome awarded and the reasons for this. This outcome form will be available to Postgraduate Doctors in Training (PGDiTs) via ePortfolio or via email if an eportfolio is not used by the training programme. Confirmation of the outcome will also be sent from NHSE via email within 10 working days for outcome 1s, and within 5 working days for all other ARCP outcomes. Postgraduate Doctors in Training (PGDiTs) should read the document carefully and discuss any queries with their Educational Supervisor, Training Programme Director or Panel Chair (where different).  

Where the panel were unable to award an outcome, due to incomplete evidence being provided, an outcome 5 will be awarded. This is a temporary outcome and will contain a deadline in which the missing evidence must be provided.  

Following the RCP/ARCP

Post-ARCP Feedback  

The ARCP outcome form will be released to you on the day of the ARCP, and we strongly encourage you to check the form for accuracy (if there are discrepancies, please let us know). You should familiarise yourself with the comments and actions (where appropriate) and acknowledge the form on your ePortfolio.

You will receive notification of your ARCP outcome via email by default. The email will summarise any key points and advise you on next steps.

Notification of your outcome should trigger you to arrange a meeting with your Educational Supervisor to discuss what steps need to be taken next, to formulate a plan for your upcoming 12-months in training, and agree your personal development and education plan.

In addition, for outcomes 3 or 4, you must arrange a more comprehensive feedback meeting with a member of the ARCP panel to discuss your outcome and learning objectives. This will normally take place within 10 working days of your ARCP.

If you would prefer to receive notification of your ARCP outcome via telephone call on the day of the panel, please email england.stp-arcp.yh@nhs.net and provide us with your contact details. A member of the ARCP panel will call you at the end of the day. Please only choose this option if you know you will be available to take the call. If we don’t hear from you, you will continue to receive notification of your outcome via email only.

Reviews and Appeals

Details on requesting a review or an appeal of an ARCP outcome are available here.

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