This programme is designed to support the delivery of services by different staff in different settings, by educating colleagues in the underpinning science to deliver a clinical role in a chronically understaffed specialty.
The postgraduate sleep medicine programme packages advanced integrated sleep training for a wide range of healthcare professionals including healthcare scientists, doctors, nurses and allied health professionals. The academic content of the PG Cert is accompanied by a work-based training programme – employers who are able to offer access to training covering the entire curriculum can express an interest for these grants. Successful employers will then be able to nominate a candidate.
Building on the successful STP delivery structure, the programme ensures trainees receive both academic and work-based training to enable rapid expansion of sleep science services to meet the recommendations of the Long-Term Plan, the Richards’ review, and the GIRFT report 2021; Recommendation 8: Improve care for patients in sleep medicine by addressing delays in diagnosis of sleep problems and CPAP initiation, together with resolving gaps in infrastructure.
Candidates who wish to take up a place on the programme must be supported by a suitable employer who can provide access to all of the work-based training, and who will be responsible for the application for funding. Click here for the portfolio checklist and course information. The training may include short placements (usually ranging from observing a clinic to a few days shadowing colleagues) within other departments to get the required training experience. Whilst NHS England and UWE may be able to provide advice around this, the responsibility for organising these placements lies with the employer, and it is important for employers to have considered this requirement before they apply. Completion of the portfolio of work-based training is likely to be very challenging for candidates employed in roles outside of sleep services, as this would require lengthy placements away from their current role.
Training grants and academic fees will be provided to employers.