Out of Programme Training/Research/ASTOs/TSCs
All opportunities for Out of Programme Training and Out of Programme Research (OOPT and OOPR) must have prospective approval from the GMC in order to count towards the CCT.
TYPES OF OOPT/OOPR
Advanced Subspecialty Training Opportunities (ASTOs)/Trainee Selected Components (TSCs)
ASTO/TSC posts are designed to provide in depth experience in a subspecialty. ASTOs should be taken in year four or year five of the HST programme. The duration of an ASTO should normally be 6 or 12 months. The core curriculum should either have been achieved or be close to completion. The core curriculum must have been completed within the area of advanced subspecialty training. For StRs ASTOs will be replaced by Trainee Selected Components (TSC), please see 
TSC Guidance.
The purpose of an ASTO is to provide subspecialty training to the level of a consultant "with a special interest in....". By the end of ASTO training the trainee should, as a minimum, have reached level 4 or 5 competency (as defined in the CASS document) in all areas of the core curriculum for the subspecialty. The acquisition of additional, more advanced clinical and surgical expertise is expected. Subspecialty guidelines will be developed at a national level.
All programmes should provide ASTO posts. Within any HST programme, 20% of SpR posts must be ASTOs. Internal trainees should be offered these posts. If no suitable internal trainee is available the post should be advertised as a Type 1 post available to SpRs from other deaneries. The appointed trainee will usually bring their NTN from their own deanery for the duration of the ASTO post. If no suitable Type 1 trainee applies for the post it may be advertised as a Type 2 post.
The development of ASTO posts and placements must not detract from the provision of core training for the remaining SpRs in the rotation.
The components of an ASTO timetable can be varied to provide the best possible training. This can include theatre sessions, subspecialty clinics, research clinics and research sessions. A general operating list should be included in order to maintain surgical skills, and a general clinic may be included. The timetable may include up to 8 clinical sessions. However the emphasis in an ASTO is upon subspecialty experience and not service.
An ASTO can be undertaken in the UK or abroad. ASTOs taken abroad as usually referred to as Fellowships (OOPT).
Some trainees may wish to acquire additional training outside the CCT envelope. Such posts are only relevant to the College Training Committee in as much as they may impact on the existing training programmes and consequently on the trainees in post.
The Training Committee of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists has put together a list of advanced sub-specialty training opportunities available within each Deanery in the UK. All of the ASTOs listed should provide worthwhile sub-specialty opportunities and in addition timetables that conform to the College guidelines. If the ASTO you wish to undertake is not on the list you will need to seek approval from your local Deanery, the College and the GMC for the post to count towards your CCT.
At the conclusion of an ASTO The Royal College of Ophthalmologists request that a form is completed and returned to the Education and Training Department to allow us to monitor the educational content of these posts.
List of approved Advanced Sub-specialty Training OpportunitiesASTO GuidelinesTSC Guidance
Research (Out of Programme Research - OOPR)
A period of up to 6 months in research may also be approved towards the CCT. Prospective approval must be sought from the Deanery Specialty Training Committee, the Postgraduate Dean, Training Committee, and the GMC. The application to the Training Committee for recognition of a research period towards the CCT must be accompanied by a research protocol and a timetable, as well as written evidence of support from the Head of School and/or the Programme Director. A brief report is required by the Training Committee on completion of the research period.
The combined period for research and advanced subspecialty training must not exceed 12 months for recognition towards the CCT.
Consideration of Applications
Any time out of programme which is to be counted towards your CCT must be recommended for approval by the College and be approved prospectively by the GMC as well as your Postgraduate Dean. Therefore it is important that you submit your application to the College for approval in good time. Applications will be considered by the Training Committee of The Royal College of Ophthalmologists. Once your application has been considered by the Training Committee, if it is approved, the Chairman of the Training Committee will write a letter of recommendation for approval. A copy of this letter is then sent to the Postgraduate Dean for submission to GMC for their final approval. The Training Committee meets quarterly in March, June, September and December and all applications need to be received by the College 4 weeks in advance of the meeting.
Trainees wishing to have time counted towards their CCT must complete the application form which can be obtained from the Education and Training Department in good time for their application to be considered prospectively. Applications will only be considered when submitted on the application form. All applicants must submit the form in its entirety.
Please note that as of 1 April 2008 there will be an administrative fee for non-members for the consideration and reccomendation to the GMC for approval of all Out Of Programme Experience (ASTOs, Fellowships, OOPT, OOPR) of £75+VAT.
Dates of the Training Committee are as follows:
2010
Wednesday 10 March 2010
Wednesday 9 June 2010
Wednesday 8 September 2010
Wednesday 1 December 2010
Please note paperwork will need to be with the Education and Training Department a minimum of four weeks before the date of the meeting.
UNDERTAKING ADVANCED SUBSPECIALTY TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
Please click here for a list of fellowships that you may be interested in undertaking. We have gained the permission of those who have already experienced them to put their addresses and telephone numbers etc. on the web so that you may contact then to obtain their opinion about the whole experience.
Page Update: 28 July 2010 (km)