Covid-19: what do trainees need to know?

I’m in training, am I likely to be redeployed to another department?

This is an unprecedented situation for the NHS and it’s likely that many staff, including junior doctors, will be asked to take on roles that may be unfamiliar or that they weren’t expecting. We know that this is already happening in places where the pressure is being felt.

Junior doctors shouldn’t be asked to do anything outside of their own competence levels; if you have concerns about where you are being redeployed, you should raise this with your educational supervisor. When working in a different role, you should be supported and always know who you can escalate to. We would also expect any diversions for junior doctors to be for as short a time as possible. It’s important, too, that once pressures ease, junior doctors can return to their training posts and trusts should do all they can to make sure this is the case.

I’m not rotating in April, what does this mean for my training in the long term?

This rotation can still count towards your training; it’s likely that you’ll continue to develop curriculum competencies that you can enter into your portfolio. Additionally, the education bodies have published contingency plans for the annual review of competence training (ARCP)1 process this year, indicating that these will still take place, with reduced panels and an increased focus on competencies.

ARCPs for junior doctors at critical points in their training—such as those completing core training or approaching the certificate of completion of training—will be prioritised. Foundation specific advice, detailing new expectations for the 2020 ARCP process, has also been published.

Even with the intense pressure we’re facing, it’s ultimately hoped that most junior doctors can progress as normally as possible …