01.11.11
RCP gives evidence on medical education
Postgraduate medical education needs to be nationally planned, and led by Health Education England (HEE), working with the royal colleges, the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) has said.
Giving advice on education and training to the Future Forum, the RCP suggests that postgraduate deaneries should organise the training of doctors locally, and should be made accountable to HEE.
The deaneries must also maintain sufficient independence, control and autonomy to undertake effective quality management. Funding should flow directly to deaneries from the national commissioner.
Professor David Black, RCP vice president for education, said: “Patients everywhere deserve doctors, who are trained to the same high standard, so that in whichever hospital they are treated, they can be guaranteed that the same knowledge and skills will be available to them, whatever their medical condition.
“With national planning of trainee placements we shall also be in a better position to prevent future shortages in medical specialties, shortages that can lead to long waiting lists.”
Speaking on the Health and Social Care Bill, the RCP recommends that it should give the Secretary of State a duty for the education and training of the healthcare workforce and ensure that the provision of education and training in all NHS and private providers is a mandatory condition of being licensed by Monitor to provide healthcare to NHS patients
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