Implementation Notes and Newsletters will keep trainees, and all those involved in training at a local level, up to date about the new Curriculum 2024 change programme.
What are Implementation Notes?
Implementation Notes are developed to help trainees, trainers and those with a responsibility for managing training locally with specific tasks or activities for implementing Curriculum 2024.
They have been drawn up and approved by the Curriculum 2024 Project Board.
What are the Newsletters for?
The newsletters keep you updated with what’s happening at a project board level and latest news about the Curriculum 2024 change programme.
Who is the information for?
The information and updates are specifically designed for:
Read about the proposed training model and the rationale for change.
To Heads of School, Training Programme Directors,
Regional Education Advisors and Representatives, College Tutors, Educational and Clinical Supervisors, all Trainers and all Ophthalmologists in Training
Re: New Ophthalmic Specialist Training (OST) curriculum
The Ophthalmic Specialist Training (OST) curriculum is changing and we wanted to write to you all to give you some background information about the reasons for this and what you might expect over the next couple of years.
Background
Postgraduate training curricula for all medical specialities are changing to accommodate the GMC’s Excellence by Design standards and implement the Generic Professional Capabilities (GPCs) framework. These standards aim to improve the flexibility of training and produce curricula that will better support patient, professional and service need, as set out in the Shape of Training Report.
Practice in ophthalmology has changed over time from mainly general to mainly specialist clinics, with most patients now being seen in a special interest or sub-specialist clinic, resulting in more efficient employment of the multi-professional team, improved productivity and reduced number of patient visits.
The current training pathway has evolved to support this special interest model, with general training in each of the special interest fields and a taster period of more in-depth sub-special training for six to twelve months at the end of the training programme (the ‘TSC’). There is robust evidence showing that most ophthalmologists currently undertake a period of post-CCT fellowship (usually one or two years) to attain sub-specialist expertise before applying for a consultant post.
Key changes
We have been challenged by the GMC to remove the current need for post-CCT training for almost all ophthalmologists. We propose adjusting the curriculum so that, while the training period is maintained at seven years, the special interest areas are covered during the final 12-18 months of training.
Doctors in training would rotate through all the specialist areas during their general training, as currently occurs, and senior trainees would then choose two or more areas in which to specialise. They would be required to maintain their generalist skills throughout, which would usually include ongoing involvement with the on-call rota.
Learning outcomes and descriptors are being developed to describe the ‘Levels’ ophthalmologists in training will need to evidence by the end of defined progression points: end of OST2 (Level 1); end of OST3 (Level 2); mid-way of OST6 (Level 3); at the completion of training (Level 4).
We propose a model of training where trainees would train up to Level 3 in all the specialist areas to manage acute ophthalmology cases, including trauma, and provide a level of knowledge that would continue to allow a consultant ophthalmologist to deal with a patient with multiple ocular morbidities. Trainees would undertake at least two clinical specialist areas to Level 4. These areas are:
Oculoplastics and Orbit
Cornea and Ocular Surface
Cataract and Refractive Surgery
Glaucoma
Uveitis
Medical Retina
Vitreo-retina
Ocular Motility
Neuro-ophthalmology
Paediatrics
Urgent Eye Care
Community Ophthalmology
We expect a combination of Cataract Surgery and another area would be picked by most trainees. For some trainees, it may be possible to combine three areas.
Next steps
We will put in place a full implementation plan to support the move to the proposed new curriculum. This plan involves a phased approach.
We are consulting professional bodies to define content and indicative training times for each of the Level 4 special interest areas.
A working group, composed of Heads of School and TPDs, will be set up to ensure that trainees in all regions can access the special interest training they require, which may on occasion necessitate inter-Deanery transfers for 12-18 months.
We are developing new assessment tools, as well as reviewing existing ones, and will be starting the piloting phase in early 2020.
The new curriculum will be supported by a new e-Portfolio, which the College expects to pilot with a self-selected group of trainees for a full year before full implementation. It is mandated by the GMC that all doctors in training must transfer to the latest version of the curriculum within two years of implementation, unless they are in their final year of training.
The College anticipates that the 2010 (2016) OST curriculum will remain in effect until August 2022.
Please keep an eye on future newsletters to keep abreast of key developments.
Miss Fiona Spencer FRCS (Glas) FRCOphth Miss Fiona Bishop FRCOphth
Chair – Training Committee Chair – Curriculum Sub-committee
To Heads of School, Training Programme Directors,
Regional Education Advisors and Representatives, College Tutors, Educational and Clinical Supervisors, all Trainers and all Ophthalmologists in Training
Re: New Ophthalmic Specialist Training (OST) Curriculum
We wrote to you all in 2019 to let you know about changes to the OST Curriculum in the coming years and the rationale for these changes.
The rewriting of the curriculum is at the request of the GMC for all Royal Colleges and Faculties to include the Generic Professional Capabilities (GPC) Framework and meet the GMC standards of curricular design. The new curriculum represents a move from multiple learning outcomes, used to describe each constituent part of a capability, to overarching learning outcomes that describe the capability itself.
Timeline
In 2020, the pandemic crisis left the Curriculum Sub-committee with little choice but to ask the GMC for some leeway with our submission date, which was granted. This has resulted in the decision to postpone the full implementation of the new curriculum to August 2023, a year later than initially announced.
We did not take this decision lightly. However, it would have been difficult to conduct a full consultation on the new curriculum during 2020, as well as piloting new assessment tools.
Preparing for the change
The Curriculum Sub-committee believes that the proposed new OST Curriculum will accelerate progression to consultant posts and ensure national standardisation of high-level special interest area training.
Learning outcomes and descriptors in the new Curriculum will describe the ‘Levels’ ophthalmologists in training will need to evidence by the end of defined progression points:
end of OST2 (Level 1)
end of OST3 (Level 2)
mid-way of OST6 (Level 3)
at the completion of training (Level 4)
All ophthalmologists will train up to Level 3 in all the clinical special interest areas (Oculoplastics and Orbit, Cornea and Ocular Surface Disease, Cataract and Refractive Surgery, Glaucoma, Uveitis, Medical Retina, Vitreoretinal Surgery, Ocular Motility, Neuro-ophthalmology, Paediatrics, Urgent Eye Care and Community Ophthalmology) and will then undertake at least two of the twelve clinical special interest areas to Level 4.
A new programme of assessment will be based on summative, untrustworthy professional activity (EPA) tools for each level. The current WpBAs will continue to be available as formative assessments to inform EPAs. We plan to test the first iteration of the new tools with small groups before extending the trial to larger groups in regions whose Heads of School/TPDs have indicated a willingness to get involved.
Notwithstanding the current challenges that continue as a result of the pandemic, all ophthalmologists in training are strongly encouraged to acquire general competencies as early as possible in their training over the next couple of years and make plans to sit the final examinations by the end of ST5 or middle of ST6 year. This will allow a smoother transition to the new curriculum in 2023, with Level 4 special interest training in the final 18 months.
The Curriculum Sub-committee is currently mapping existing learning outcomes to the proposed competency framework, and further details on this will be communicated in due course.
In 2022, selected groups of ST1s and ST3-4s (Early Adopters) will be asked to pilot the new OST Curriculum, supported by a new e-Portfolio, for up to one in the year (partially or in full). Mock ARCPs will be set up to put the system to the test in an offline environment.
All ST1-6 ophthalmologists in training will be mandated to transfer to the new curriculum in August 2023. Trainees who are ST7s in August 2023 will be the only trainees permitted to remain on the current curriculum. ST7s training less-than-full-time (LTFT) or out of the programme (OOP) at the start of that academic year will have two years to complete their training on the current curriculum and, if this is not possible, will be able to transfer to the new curriculum.
Consultation
The proposed OST Curriculum has been developed by the Curriculum Sub-committee with input from specialist societies and an educationalist. Committee representation includes ophthalmologists in training, trainers and patients. Other internal and external stakeholders have also contributed to the redevelopment work.
We are launching a public consultation today which will close on Friday, 28 May 2021. Please click on the link to view the new curriculum and comment on opportunities and/or perceived challenges using an online feedback form.
Trainees and trainers are also invited to join two webinars to learn more about the changes and take part in a Q&A session. Please click on the links below to join the events.
Please email [email protected] if you would like to send your questions in advance or require further information.
Please continue to keep an eye on future newsletters to keep abreast of key developments.
Yours sincerely,
Miss Fiona Spencer FRCS (Glas) FRCOphth Miss Fiona Bishop FRCOphth
Chair – Training Committee Chair – Curriculum Sub-committee
Dr Sunil Mamtora
Chair – Ophthalmologists in Training Group (OTG)
Regional Education Advisors and Representatives, College Tutors, Educational and Clinical Supervisors, all Trainers and all Ophthalmologists in Training
Re: New Ophthalmic Specialist Training (OST) Curriculum
We wrote to you all in 2019 and in April 2021 to let you know about changes to the OST Curriculum in the coming years and the rationale for these changes.
The curriculum is being rewritten to include the Generic Professional Capabilities (GPC) framework and meet the GMC standards of curricular design to make training more flexible for doctors and more responsive to patient and health service needs.
The key objective of the proposed new curriculum is to accelerate progression to consultant posts and ensure national standardisation of high-level special interest area training.
Stakeholder consultation
You might recall the public consultation undertaken earlier in the year (April-May 2021), which gave all stakeholders the opportunity to view the proposed new curriculum and comment on opportunities and/or perceived challenges. We wish to thank all who have taken the time to complete the feedback form, as well as those trainees and trainers who joined two webinars to learn more about the changes and take part in a Q&A session.
It should be reiterated here that the difficult-to-navigate layout – the new curriculum was presented as a long and unwieldy pdf document – was for consultation purposes only. After regulatory approval, the new curriculum will be presented in a web-based format to allow users to switch easily between levels, domains and syllabi.
It should also be noted that, although the 4-level structure is intended to remove the necessity for post-CCT fellowships for all ophthalmologists, it is not the RCOphth’s intention to remove them from UK hospitals altogether or prevent doctors to undertake them, should they wish to do so.
Some changes to content and adjustments to the length of Level 4 training for some special interest areas have been incorporated as a result of the feedback. The revised draft curriculum is available here, where you will also be able to view the latest FAQs document and the consultation executive summary.
Timeline
Our final curriculum submission has been delayed by the GMC, due to COVID, until October 2021. Confirmation of approval might not be given until well into the first quarter of 2022.
This gives insufficient time following approval of the curriculum to complete the tender process and has a new e-Portfolio fully developed and ready for our originally intended pilot in August 2022 and full implementation in August 2023. We believe that a one-year pilot is necessary to confirm the suitability of training posts for the new curriculum, new assessment tools and the new e-Portfolio, in order to identify adjustments necessary before full implementation.
We will therefore now be submitting the proposal with a start date for the new curriculum of August 2024 (with a pilot beginning August 2023), which should give us time to ensure the e-Portfolio is fully functional before the launch of the new curriculum.
Preparing for the change
All ophthalmologists in training are strongly encouraged to acquire general competencies as early as possible in their training over the next couple of years and make plans to sit the final examinations by the end of ST5 or middle of ST6 year. This will allow a smoother transition to the new curriculum in 2024.
Some might have come across new assessment tools that we are piloting to assess the level that which a doctor in training can be entrusted with independent practice. Please contact your Head of School or Training Programme Director (TPD), should you wish to take part in the next iteration of the pilot with a Clinical Supervisor.
Next steps
A project is underway to produce a clear mapping of already collected e-Portfolio evidence and prior ARCP outcomes to the new curriculum. It is planned that each trainee transitioning to the new curriculum will have a one-to-one ‘Curriculum Transition’ meeting with their Educational Supervisor. This will result in clarity about the high-level learning outcomes that have already been achieved on the new curriculum and a ‘gap analysis’ for those still to be achieved.
Delivery of training in all domains will be described in a ‘Delivery of the New OST Curriculum’ document and will include addressing concerns expressed during the consultation process. Structured educational and support packages for the new curriculum will be made available for trainers and trainees on the new curriculum webpage.
The Training the Trainers Sub-committee will construct a programme – working together with the Training Committee and Curriculum Sub-committee – to develop a detailed plan to ensure this can be cascaded in advance of the implementation of the new curriculum by August 2024.
Please continue to keep an eye on future newsletters to keep abreast of key developments. Should you require further information, please send your query to [email protected] .
Yours sincerely,
Miss Fiona Spencer FRCS (Glas) FRCOphth Miss Fiona Bishop FRCOphth
Chair – Training Committee Chair – Curriculum Sub-committee
Dr Sunil Mamtora
Chair – Ophthalmologists in Training Group (OTG)
The GMC has approved the new OST Curriculum (subject to action), which will be fully implemented from August 2024. Find out more here
To Heads of School, Training Programme Directors,
Regional Education Advisors and Representatives, College Tutors, Educational and Clinical Supervisors, all Trainers and all Trainee Ophthalmologists
Re: Ophthalmic Specialist Training (OST) Curriculum 2024
Curriculum 2024 approved by GMC (subject to further actions)
We wrote to you all in 2019 and 2021 to let you know about changes to the OST Curriculum in the coming years and the rationale for these changes. In October 2021 we submitted the draft documentation to the GMC and, on 14 January 2022, they confirmed approval, subject to further actions being taken. This is very good news, as it means we can now press ahead with the huge amount of work that is needed to move to the new curriculum in August 2024.
To remind you of the overall timetable (which had to be changed due to COVID), we intend to test the functionality of the new OST Curriculum and Programme of Assessment on the new e-Portfolio from August 2023 until August 2024. However, one of the further actions the GMC has requested is that we undertake a pilot of all the new assessment tools, reporting back to them by 30 June 2023. This has to be done in order for them to confirm final approval prior to implementation in August 2024. At the same time, we need to identify and develop a new training e-Portfolio.
Developments at the College
The RCOphth has appointed a new Project Manager, Ms Kim Scrivener, who will be responsible for coordinating the implementation of the new OST Curriculum and e-Portfolio. Kim has successfully managed the implementation of three new curricula in two other Medical Royal Colleges and has a lot of experience in postgraduate medical education.
Some members of the Curriculum Sub-Committee will act as the OST Project Board to oversee the work around the implementation of the new curriculum. There will be an e-Portfolio Steering Group to oversee the e-Portfolio procurement and development process. Both groups include trainee ophthalmologists.
The Training Committee has formed four new Task and Finish Groups on Assessments, Level 1-3, Level 4 and Curriculum Transition Checklist. They have already made recommendations that are now being incorporated into the overall project plan.
Initial e-Portfolio suppliers have been identified and will be approached in the very near future.
There is a new dedicated space on the RCOphth website. We want to make it easier for you to find out about what is going on and the latest news. Please use the link below to have a look.
The most immediate task for the Project Board is to respond to the GMC requests for further action by 31 March 2022, the most important part of which is to present a plan for the pilot of all the new assessment tools. Some Heads of School and TPDs have already volunteered to help with this important pilot and more details will be cascaded in due course to the regions taking part.
All trainee ophthalmologists are strongly encouraged to acquire general competencies as early as possible in their training over the next couple of years (equating to Levels 1-3 of the new curriculum).
Trainee ophthalmologists should make plans to sit the final examinations by the end of ST5 or the middle of ST6 year. This will allow a smoother transition to the new curriculum in 2024.
Please sign up for at least one of the sessions being organised to introduce you to the changes – these include webinars, sessions in the RCOphth Congress at Glasgow and locally organised sessions by your TPD/ Head of School/ College Tutors.
Trainees and trainers are invited to join two webinars to learn more about the Curriculum Transition Checklist and take part in a Q&A session. Please click on the links below to register for one of the events.
Should you require further information, please send your query to [email protected] .
Yours sincerely,
Miss Fiona Spencer FRCS (Glas) FRCOphth Dr Vikas Chadha FRCOphth
Chair – Training Committee Chair – Curriculum Sub-committee
Dr Sunil Mamtora
Chair – Ophthalmologists in Training Group (OTG)
To Heads of School, Training Programme Directors, Regional Education Advisors and Representatives, College Tutors, Educational and Clinical Supervisors, all Trainers and all Trainee Ophthalmologists
Update from Curriculum 2024 Project Team
The Curriculum 2024 Project Board and ePortfolio Steering Group, chaired by Mr Vikas Chadha and Mr Alan Cunningham respectively, have been meeting regularly since the GMC provisionally approved the curriculum. The following activities have been instigated:
Curriculum Transition Checklists (CTCs) The first CTCs were disseminated to all Educational Supervisors and ST1-3 trainees (who will be in ST4-6 when the new curriculum begins in August 2024) for completion by 30 June 2022. The purposes of the CTCs are to provide a benchmark of achievement in preparation for transfer to the new curriculum in August 2024 and identify any gaps in training. Two new CTCs on Level 3 Community Ophthalmology and Urgent Eye Care are now available on the Curriculum 2024 webpage (Implementation Note No 4).
Assessment Pilot The pilot began on 18 July and finished on 14 November 2022. Six deaneries took part and we are truly grateful for the time and commitment shown by those who completed one or more of the three new assessments. We exceeded our target expectations in terms of forms and surveys completed by both supervisors and trainees. Certificates have been sent to those who asked for them.
New ePortfolio We are delighted to announce that, following a rigorous selection process, the RCOphth has signed a contract with FourteenFish and that work has already started on developing the new ePortfolio. FourteenFish supply the RCGP’s trainee ePortfolio, and successfully moved all trainees and curricula onto their platform during the pandemic, so they have a wealth of experience and knowledge of postgraduate medical education. Rather than building an ePortfolio from scratch, we will be working with FourteenFish to customize their existing templates and workflows. So we will be looking for volunteers, both trainees and supervisors, to undertake various tasks at key points to test the functionality of the ePortfolio. We intend to begin a full pilot of the new curriculum in August 2023.
CESR We have agreed a position statement with the GMC on the guidance to be given to CESR applicants in relation to the new curriculum which is now on the RCOphth website. We hope that this guidance will help CESR applicants decide when they would like to submit their applications to the GMC.
Curriculum 2024 webpage The website has been revamped to include all curriculum documentation, links to FAQs, news and resources. Please do have a look if you have not done so already.
Transition Progression Requirements The statement, which is Implementation Note No 3 on the website, describes the progression between the levels and the use of Outcome 1 as part of the guidance for the transition to Curriculum 2024. The statement is intended to help trainees and trainers to understand the progression requirements for transition to the new training levels on 1 August 2024.
Level 1-3 and Level 4 Intensive work is being carried out with TPDs and Heads of School on how the new curriculum will be managed in each region. Guidance on Level 1-3 and Level 4 has been developed to help those who manage training plan future rotations.
Webinars We held two very successful webinars in April 2022 (see here for a link to the video recording), followed by two lunchtime sessions at the May Congress.
Continue to prepare for Curriculum 2024
In the meantime, please continue to prepare for the change.
All trainee ophthalmologists are strongly encouraged to acquire general competencies as early as possible in their training over the next couple of years (equating to Levels 1-3 of the new curriculum).
Trainee ophthalmologists should make plans to sit the final examinations by the end of ST5 or the middle of ST6 year. This will allow a smoother transition to the new curriculum in 2024.
Please sign up to at least one of the sessions being organised to introduce you to the changes – these could include sessions in the RCOphth Congress at Birmingham and locally organised sessions by your TPD/Head of School/College Tutors.
Take part in future pilot exercises when invited to do so.
Should you require further information, please send your query to [email protected] .
Yours sincerely
Ms Sarah Maling FRCOphth
Chair – Training Committee
Dr Vikas Chadha FRCOphth
Chair – Curriculum Sub-committee
Mr Hasan Naveed FRCOphth
Chair – Ophthalmologists in Training Group (OTG)
To Heads of School, Training Programme Directors,
Regional Education Advisors and Representatives, College Tutors, Educational and Clinical Supervisors, all Trainers and all Trainee Ophthalmologists
Update from the Curriculum 2024 Project Team
The Curriculum 2024 Project Board and ePortfolio Steering Group have met regularly since the last Newsletter in November 2022. As we move from procurement to development, the new role of Clinical ePortfolio Lead has been taken on by Dr Thomas Salisbury. Thomas will be engaging extensively with the RCOphth Education team and FourteenFish (ePortfolio supplier) on the development of the new ePortfolio and taking a lead role with the ePortfolio pilot.
The main focus since the last Newsletter has been on engagement. The Advanced Training the Trainers course on 9 November 2022 focussed on identifying the opportunities and challenges in delivering the new timetables. This was followed up with a face-to-face Training Programme Director Conference attended by 21 out of the 22 regions on 2 March 2023 for which all regions were asked to submit a checklist of all potential Level 4 SIA posts. This Newsletter outlines the key outcomes from these meetings.
As part of this focus on engagement, Mr Chadha has also recorded a video bite which is on the website. This is the first of a series of video bites dealing with specific topics.
Key points
The most important overall message is that regions should embrace the flexibility of the new curriculum and structure their training programmes in the way that best suits them, depending on the funding and logistical considerations for each deanery. The role of the College should be limited to providing guidance, overall policy and principles, but not specifying how these are implemented. This is where the role of TPDs and trainee champions will be crucial. Examples of some regional issues might be:
Although some units in a region may prefer to have senior trainees, they need to be aware that Level 1 and 2 training should be accommodated across the board.
While most regions would opt to go for 6-month rotations in Level 3 and combine two SIAs for some of these rotations, others may prefer to have 4-month rotations. This would be up to the region to decide.
It is possible to create an additional Level 4 post but only if it does not destabilise Level 3 posts, i.e. regions have to operate within an overall post allocation quota. There is no expectation that a Level 4 post should be created simply because a trainee wanted it.
The RCOphth will develop an overall policy for Level 4 selection but it will up to each TPD to decide how they want to implement it, bearing in mind their own logistics, geography and trainer availability. It is recommended that the Named Clinical Supervisor, as opposed to the TPD, should determine who gets a post in the event of competition. The TPD should then be able to authorise that. Whatever process is adopted, it should be based on the ePortfolio evidence, have a clear deadline and allowance for exceptional circumstances.
All trainees are expected to do general on-call throughout the 7-year programme. However, specialist on-call could also feature and is likely to be very popular as a way of achieving competencies. This is purely up to the region/deanery to decide in discussion with the TPD.
Level 1-2 should be easy to understand and conceptualise, and therefore non-problematic to implement. All consultants are able to train at Level 1 and 2. Although the maximum time allowed for Level 1 is two years, and Level 2 is an additional year, Levels 1-2 can be completed by most trainees in two years. The currently mandated courses (EyeSI and Phaco) should be preferably completed before starting training.
Specialty Interest Areas (SIAs)
OOPT for undertaking fellowships have already been stopped in London although it continues to be used in other regions. The decision to allow an OOPT is a deanery decision. Current evidence suggests that there will be more than sufficient Level 4 posts in each deanery. From August 2024, most regions should be able to provide all Level 4 posts, and there should be no need to use the OOPT process to allow completion of Level 4 training elsewhere. If Level 4 training cannot be provided within the region and the 7-year programme, this needs to be brought to the College’s attention. If trainees wished to do an OOPause, then it should be possible to restart the Level 4 post or take up a new post when available. That specific Level 4 post need not stay open for a trainee who opts to go for an OOP at this level.
Community Ophthalmology, Cataract Surgery and Urgent Eye Care (UEC) should be done alongside other SIAs in Level 1, 2 and 3. UEC clinics should be supervised by a senior clinician.
The practical element of the new Community Ophthalmology SIA (Level 3) will be completed in RSTAC sessions and by attending primary care clinics, combined with completing a new INSPIRE module.
If a unit was already delivering a TSC or Fellowship, it will usually be capable of delivery at Level 4 (caution should be used in situations where the TSC is more of a ‘taster’ rather than delivering adequate training). A unit cannot choose to deliver a post-CCT Fellowship but not offer a Level 4 in that SIA. In this situation, and in some instances, DMEs may have to withdraw fellowships. If a unit was currently not delivering a TSC or Fellowship but had the capability and facility to deliver Level 4, it should be able to discuss this and prove its case to the TPD.
All Level 4 trainees will be given the assessor role on the ePortfolio.
The length of time suggested to complete a SIA is purely indicative and should be regarded as guidance only. It will depend entirely on the competencies, as opposed to the time (e.g. 18 months for VR). It will also possible to extend a suggested 9-month SIA to a 12-month programme, depending on local need.
Those starting their last year of training (ST7 FTE) in August 2024 will stay in the old curriculum as they have one year left. If they have two years left and choose to do an 18-month Level 4 SIA as per the new curriculum, then it may be preferable to start their Level 4 in February 2025. This should bring trainees into sync. It is therefore very important that TPDs ascertain by this summer which curriculum the current ST4s will be following from August 2024.
There should be guidance in the final Level 3 year as to how to plan for Level 4. Different combinations of SIAs would present different challenges, and some trainees might still require a post-CCT fellowship.
Role of Educational Supervisor (ES) and Named Clinical Supervisor (NCS)
The roles of the ES and NCS in Curriculum 2024 need to be communicated effectively. The NCS role is new and ensuring clarity regarding this is a big challenge. It is accepted that this will take time and a new training package will be developed. Some of the key messages are:
The ES role will become less onerous because of the new Programme of Assessment.
The new NCS role will not be as onerous as feared as there will be far fewer mandatory WpBAs in the new Programme of Assessment.
The NCS will have full access to the trainee’s ePortfolio.
The Multi-Assessor Report (MAR), which will be completed by other supervising Consultants and other supervising medical and para-medical staff, will serve as a mechanism to record progress/issues and feedback to the NCS. This will be accessible to the NCS on the ePortfolio.
The NCS will be able to complete the new Entrustable Professional Activity (EPA) forms by reviewing MAR(s) as well as WpBAs.
ePortfolio
Work is proceeding apace! All the current forms have been uploaded to the new platform and are in the process of being tested. The new forms have been comprehensively reviewed in light of the Assessment Pilot feedback and changes made. They have been sent to FourteenFish so that they can be built and tested prior to the main ePortfolio pilot. Thanks again to all who helped with the earlier Assessment Pilot, your feedback was invaluable.
Annual Congress 2023
The Curriculum 2024 team will be delivering four sessions – two of which are targeted towards CESR applicants. We will also be present on the College stand should you wish to ask questions.
How you can get involved
Some of you have already helped by taking part in the Assessment Pilot. As we get nearer to the main ePortfolio pilot, due to start in August 2023, we may be calling out for volunteers. Anyone who participates will get a certificate.
Next steps
There will be a full-day meeting of the Training Committee on 15 June 2023 with Curriculum 2024 being the sole focus. It will be an opportunity for Heads of School and TPDs to update on their preparations for Curriculum 2024, as well as a chance to seek advice. This will be followed by a second TPD Conference on 5 October 2023.
The OTG is building a list of Trainee Curriculum Champions who, together with their TPDs, will form the new Regional Curriculum Network.
Guidance will be developed to assist this season’s ARCPs, specifically on the requirements of the new curriculum. The key actions are:
Trainees should start discussing and deciding with their ES the level they aim to be in August 2024.
HoS/TPDs should have a clear idea before the end of summer 2023 as to which trainee will go into which level in August 2024.
Current ST4s should be asked to decide before the end of summer 2023 whether they wish to switch to the new curriculum in August 2024.
We are aiming to produce a programme of webinars in the Autumn of 2023. More details soon.
We will be formally reporting back to the GMC on 30 June 2023 on actions they asked us to take, including the Assessment Pilot.
In the meantime
In the meantime, please continue to prepare for the change.
All trainees are strongly encouraged to acquire general competences as early as possible in their training (equating to Levels 1-3 of the new curriculum).
Trainees should make plans to sit the final examinations by the end of ST5 or middle of ST6 year. This will allow a smoother transition to the new curriculum in 2024.
Please sign up to at least one of the sessions being organised to introduce you to the changes – these could include sessions in the Annual Congress at Birmingham (22-25 May 2023) and locally organised sessions by your TPD/Head of School/College Tutors.
Take part in future pilot exercises when invited to do so.
Should you require further information, please send your query to [email protected] .
Ms Sarah Maling FRCOphth
Chair – Training Committee
Mr Vikas Chadha FRCOphth
Chair – Curriculum Sub-committee
Mr Hasan Naveed
Chair – Ophthalmologists in Training Group (OTG)
Update from the Curriculum 2024 Project Team
To Heads of School, Training Programme Directors, Regional Education Advisors and Representatives, College Tutors, Educational and Clinical Supervisors, all Trainers and all Trainee Ophthalmologists
The Curriculum 2024 Project Board, led by Mr Vikas Chadha, and ePortfolio Steering Group continue to meet regularly and oversee the planning and implementation for Curriculum 2024. As we get nearer to August 2024, expect more communication and information from the Project Team.
Autumn Webinar Programme
You are strongly encouraged, whether trainee or trainer, to register for the 6 webinars we have arranged for this autumn. Each session will last for an hour.
We held two sessions on Curriculum 2024 at the May 2023 Annual Congress. Both were well attended and provided an opportunity for people to ask questions and get more information about the new curriculum. Recordings of both sessions will be made available on the website.
In consultation with the TPDs, the National Curriculum 2024 Timetable has been published and disseminated via the Regional Curriculum Network. Please take the time to look at this as the first of the important deadlines is coming up shortly – 31 August 2023.
All trainees must inform HoS/TPD of their intended Level of training in writing by 31 August 2023
All trainees entering ST6 in August 2024 must inform HoS/TPD in writing by 31 August 2023 if they are intending to remain on the old curriculum from August 2024
Regional Curriculum Network
There is now a Regional Curriculum Network, consisting of the TPD and Trainee Curriculum Champion for each UK region, who will work together to ensure the successful implementation of Curriculum 2024. The Network’s remit is:
To coordinate regional level preparations for the successful transfer of trainees and trainers to Curriculum 2024
To coordinate regional educational and training events about Curriculum 2024
To alert the OST Project Board to any challenges, risks or issues
To act as a conduit for information between the OST Project Board and the trainee/trainer body
To provide advice to trainees and trainers
The Network had its first Zoom meeting with the Project Team chaired by Mr Vikas Chadha on 31 July 2023. Network members raised questions about transition to the new curriculum, and Level 4.
Community Ophthalmology
Community Ophthalmology is a new Special Interest Area (SIA) being introduced into Curriculum 2024. We are delighted to inform you that there is a new training course on this topic in INSPIRE which you are advised to explore.
GMC
The Project Team sent a further response to the GMC on 30 June 2023, including a report on the Assessment Pilot. We are awaiting their response in turn. We will not make any changes to the curriculum documentation on the website until we hear back from the GMC, and in any case, it should still be regarded as draft until the final submission to the GMC in June 2024.
NewePortfolio
We are working closely with the new ePortfolio providers, FourteenFish, to customise their existing ePortfolio platform to our requirements. Finishing touches are being put to both the old and new curricula, and we look forward to our first face-to-face user acceptance testing (UAT) event at the College on 28 September 2023. This is the first of a series of activities, known collectively as the ePortfolio Pilot Programme, to take place over the next year, culminating in the live early adoption of the new ePortfolio by West Midlands Deanery in June 2024.
Other activities
The team is also busy behind the scenes on the following:
building the new Curriculum 2024 microsite which will eventually replace the existing OST microsite. This will be the go-to place for all curriculum information after August 2024.
developing an Electronic Resources Strategy so that all the resources to support the new curriculum are aligned (microsite, ePortfolio, INSPIRE).
producing a training package for supervisors which we hope to complete by the end of 2023. The package will be designed to be delivered in deaneries, and will consist of homework and face-to-face activities, including scenarios.
producing the Assessment Handbook – this will be the definitive document for all assessments.
How you can get involved
As we proceed with the ePortfolio Pilot Programme, we will be calling out for volunteers to help test various features, and other non-ePortfolio elements of Curriculum 2024. Thank you to those who have already volunteered. Anyone who participates will get a certificate.
In the meantime
In the meantime, please continue to prepare for the change.
All trainees are strongly encouraged to acquire general competences as early as possible in their training (equating to Levels 1-3 of the new curriculum).
Trainees should make plans to sit the final examinations by the end of ST5 or middle of ST6 year. This will allow a smoother transition to the new curriculum in 2024.
Please sign up to the Autumn Webinar Programme and locally organised sessions by your TPD/Head of School/College Tutors.
Take part in future pilot exercises when invited to do so.
Should you require further information, please send your query to [email protected] .
