Message from your STP Training Programme Directors, Jane Lynch and Namir Al Hasso
As we enter 2021, life for all of us is still very challenging and we recognise the ongoing disruption to training that you are experiencing. We know that this is variable depending on specialism and Trust – everyone is affected. We would like to thank you all (trainees, training officers and everyone else involved in training) for your hard work and commitment. Thank you for recognising the need to continue with training as much as possible and for developing new ways to provide this. Thank you too for the vital and valued contribution that all healthcare scientists are making to the NHS and to public health in all four nations and other healthcare settings at this time of great pressure. You may be continuing your training from home; you may be at work in very busy and stressful situations; you may be redeployed. We recognise that each of these situations will bring its own particular challenges. We know that many of you are concerned about how you will keep up with your training and some will be experiencing challenges with their mental health and wellbeing. Here at the School we are doing what we can to help and support you.
In response to the pandemic, we created a new completion process for the cohort completing in 2020 to ensure that trainees were able to complete on time despite the disruption. We are reviewing the process for the 2021 completing cohort. We also introduced a very different exit assessment (the IACC) and we have worked hard on the feedback we received to improve the process ready for this year.
For our current second years, the MRP process will act very much as a progress tracker to better understand the impact of the first wave of COVID-19.
In order to support trainees who may be experiencing issues with health and wellbeing we have updated the website collecting a number of resources to help.
We are communicating changes as promptly as we can through the usual routes – STP Monthly Memo, emails, webinars, the School website and through social media.
We really appreciate all of your hard work and as the new year brings hope in the form of vaccinations, we wish you all the best and remind you that if you have concerns or queries we are happy to help and can be contacted on the following email addresses
STP Curriculum review open
Throughout January and February, we’ll be asking stakeholders for feedback on the drafts of the new curriculum content. We will be starting with the core curriculum, followed by the specialty curricula.
We’ll be asking stakeholders to take a look at the curriculum and provide feedback through a survey. The whole process should take around an hour. Feedback will inform the final curricula and will help to shape the future of the Scientist Training Programme.
Click here to find out more about how your can provide your feedback
Midterm Review of Progression open
Participation in the Midterm Review of Progression opened for all year 2 STP trainees and their training officers last week.
We recognise the exceptional circumstances that have arisen this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and that this may have impacted on training delivery, personal circumstances or both. Please be reassured that this will be taken into account when reviewing trainee progression.
As part of the process, all trainees and training officers will be required to complete an individual, separate online evaluation form pertaining to the trainee’s progress appropriate to the trainee’s stage on programme.
Trainees and training officers participating in the process this year should have now received individual details regarding the Midterm Review of Progression. If you have any queries please email NSHCS.Assessment@hee.nhs.uk
Click here to read our guidance for the Midterm Review of Progression
Trainee support on Blue Monday
The third Monday of January has been awarded the gloomy title of Blue Monday due to a combination of post-Christmas blues and cold dark nights. But this year you might also be worried about COVID-19 and how it could affect your life and your workload.
We are again in a period of increased uncertainty and looking after ourselves remains vital for our families, our colleagues and the work we do, as well as ourselves. We have produced large amounts of material to help you do this.
Click here to find out what support and online resources are available to you
Employers' responsibilities letter
The Head of the National School of Healthcare Science has issued a letter to organisations hosting STP trainees. This letter outlines the responsibilities and commitments of employing organisations to their STP trainees.
Supporting the COVID-19 response letter
The Head of the National School of Healthcare Science issued a letter supporting healthcare science education and training during the COVID-19 response. The letter provides guidance regarding healthcare science education and training.
Healthcare Science Week
Healthcare Science Week is your chance to tell the local community and other health professionals first-hand about how science and technology are vital in modern patient care and change lives for the better.
Healthcare Science Week 2021 will take place from the 5th – 14th March 2021.
Click here to find out what you can do during Healthcare Science Week
STP applications open this month
We are delighted to announce that applications for the 2021 STP open on Monday 25th January at 11am.
Professor Berne Ferry, Head of the National School of Healthcare Science, said: “I couldn’t think of a better time to join the NHS as a trainee clinical healthcare scientist.”
Click here to find out more about the 2021 application process