3. Disruption to training

3.1. Where training is disrupted due to individual circumstances or changes to national training guidelines in response to significant events such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the principles set out in points 3.2 to 3.5 should apply.

3.2. Unable to train and no educational activity
Where a GP registrar is unable to train or work remotely and there is no evidence of educational activity.

• The training clock stops, and the time is treated as time out of training.
• These periods should be recorded as absence or time out of training as outlined in this guidance.

3.3. No patient consultation but evidence of learning
Where remote patient consultation is not possible, but there is evidence of learning linked to the GP Curriculum.

• The ARCP panel should consider any documented learning and how this has supported educational attainment and achievement in capability.
• It is reasonable for up to three months of this time to contribute to training.
  • Longer than this when working remotely with no patient contact, would likely not benefit the GP registrar nor provide opportunity for additional GP Curriculum linked educational attainment.
  • The decision on how long should contribute lies with the ARCP panel.
• In order to provide reassurance to the RCGP and GMC, a comment must be added to the ARCP form to confirm that this period has been reviewed and how much of it can contribute to training requirements.

3.4. Redeployment
Where redeployment to another approved training post is required.

• This post should be treated as any other within the usual guidelines for CCT and programme construction.
• These periods should be noted on the ARCP form, and a “redeployed” post description added to any impacted posts.
• Where less than two months (wte) is spent in a post due to redeployment, evidence of learning relevant to the post should be demonstrated for it to contribute to training.

3.5. Remote but no physical face to face consultation
Where remote patient consultation is possible, but face-to-face physical patient contact is not.

• A discussion should be held with the Postgraduate Dean.
• The usual expectations on engagement with the Training Portfolio, and evidence of learning apply. The following criteria are relevant:
  • All WPBA and curriculum requirements must be met before a GP registrar can be competent for licensing and issued an Outcome 6.
  • There should be evidence of capability in all relevant areas of the GP Curriculum according to their specific definitions.
  • Capability should be assessed independently from the mode of consultation undertaken.
  • For CCT, achievement in ‘Communication and Consultation’ requires evidence of capability in all recognised consultation techniques, including physical face-to face in the same room.
  • For CCT, to demonstrate competence in other capabilities including Clinical Management, Clinical Examination and Procedural Skills, Working with colleagues and in teams and Organisation Management and Leadership, it would be expected that the GP registrar would require a period of time physically in the practice.
  • Please refer to WPBA guidance for:
    • details on which elements normally require physical patient contact and are expected to be completed with the GP registrar in the same room as the patient.
    • when, in exceptional circumstances it is appropriate for suitable compensatory evidence to be considered.