To all Programme Directors
4 April 2007
Dear Programme Director,
Re: New PMETB rules regarding Out-of-programme experience (OOPE)
The JCHST is writing to all current SpRs in the United Kingdom, programme directors, and postgraduate deans confirming new arrangements put in place by the Postgraduate Medical Education and Training Board (PMETB) from 1 January 2007. The PMETB guidance on recognition of OOPE towards the CCT is available from their website (www.pmetb.org.uk) and the ‘latest news’ section of the JCHST website.
Attached to this letter is what we have sent out to all surgical trainees. We are aware that there may be some trainees who are currently out-of-programme but may not have informed the JCHST nor received any kind of prospective approval. These trainees may not be aware of the new arrangements and could risk not having any of their OOPE count towards their CCT because it was not prospectively approved. We may not have updated contact details for these trainees; please can you inform us if you have any trainees in this situation and forward on the attached letter or ask them to contact me immediately. They should submit their documentation to the SAC as soon as possible and contact the PMETB about their prospective approval process.
PMETB have confirmed that the content of the letter is accurate as of its date, but that there may be further developments, especially regarding research. If any of the above information changes, we will immediately post updates on the ‘Latest News’ section of our website, which we have recommended that trainees monitor.
If you have any questions about the new rules or the contents of the attached letter, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Yours sincerely,
Jessica Lichtenstein
Deputy Head of JCHST
0207 869 6252