Support for Trainees

Details

Postgraduate medical training takes place during a period of a doctor’s life when he or she will be coping with many significant life events. Personal issues to do with balancing the demands of work and family may impact upon training.

The Support section of this website has information on options that trainees might not have considered when first encountering a difficulty.

Role of Educational or Clinical Supervisors

The role of the educational supervisor in offering on-going guidance is essential in ensuring that trainees obtain the appropriate support within the workplace. Their educational or clinical supervisor will usually be the first person a trainee will talk to when encountering a problem or difficulty.

Many other problems facing trainees which cannot be managed through the support offered by an educational supervisor can be resolved with support from the Training Programme Director or local Trust Education Management Team. However, for some trainees, difficulties arise that require additional involvement with the Deanery or Lead Employer. Sometimes this is because of changes in personal circumstances, and options such as less than full-time training or an IDT transfer may be a solution that the Deanery can assist with. Some health problems will require support from Occupational Health through the lead employer.

Role of the Deanery

The Deanery is responsible for the delivery of postgraduate training and education. There is recognition that not all trainees will progress smoothly through a training programme. Sometimes additional support and intervention will be required to enable trainee to successfully complete training and obtain a CCT.

The Deanery may become aware that a trainee has a problem or a difficulty through a number of routes.

However if problems impact on a doctor’s training in a way that will seriously compromise their training then referral to the Doctors in Difficulty Group will be the best route to securing support and appropriate intervention.

Role of the employer

The Lead Employer is responsible for the employment of all Doctors in specialty training programmes, including GP and Public Health. The employer is responsible for the management of all aspects of your employment contract regardless of where you may rotate to during your specialty training with the Mersey Deanery.

Responsibilities of the Lead Employer also include; management of sickness through the Attendance Management Policy, referral to Occupational Health and the management of the investigation of serious untoward incidents or disciplinary matters. They are also responsible for offering support the confidential Employee Assistance Programme and identification of Pastoral support.