Associates in Training

Why should AiTs attend the RCGP Annual Conference?

Relevance. That's what the RCGP programme promises trainees. Whether you need careers advice, questions answered about the CSA (direct from the College exam team), ideas on how to practise 'outside the box' or just want to meet other AiTs from across the country – you’ll find it in Glasgow this coming November.

Times are achanging for general practice training, not least in the fact that there are now 9,000 associates of the College - quite a network! The RCGP AiT Committee have been working hard on a stimulating programme and now invite you to take part.

By taking advantage of the heavily reduced registration fee, you'll have full access to all the conference events, including the dedicated AiT programme, which runs across the 3 days from Thursday 5th to Saturday 7th November.

So here’s what we have lined up...

Thursday 5 November

Stream Event (A6): Welcome to Our World

David HoggChairperson: Dr David Hogg

Welcome & Introduction  -  Dr David Hogg MBChB BSc(MedSci) DCH

David is a GPST3 in Ayrshire, Scotland.  He represents the West of Scotland on the RCGP AiT Committee, and is also involved with the RCGP Rural Forum, including the RuralGP.org.uk blog. David is co-ordinating activities for trainees’ at the conference, and will be highlighting the events to look out for.

Clare TaylorCommittee Update  -  Dr Clare Taylor MA MB BChir DCH MRCP 

Clare graduated from Cambridge in 2002 and did a 4 month GP house job in a rural practice near Huntingdon. She spent 6 months as an A+E SHO then went on to complete a medical rotation at Addenbrookes in Cambridge and gained membership of the Royal College of Physicians. Realising her destiny was in General Practice, she did a year of Paediatrics in Kent then moved up to Birmingham where she now works as an Academic GP Registrar. She is the Chair of the Associates in Training committee and AiT representative on College Council.

Dr TaibjeeSurviving the Registrar Year  -  Dr Rafik Taibjee

Dr Rafik Taibjee is Deputy Chair of the RCGP Associates in Training Committtee, representing trainees on the RCGP Council, and sits on the BMA UK General Practice Committee.  He has an interest in medical education, and is working towards a Certificate in Medical Education, through the generous support of the West Midlands Deanery who offered him an education ST4 extension post.  He went to Birmingham Medical School and trained in Sandwell and Dudley.  Having just completed the nMRCGP, he now works as a salaried GP in Camberwell Green, London. He is a keen hill-walker, sings cheesy Abba songs in a choir and wishes he was good enough to appear on ‘Come Dine With Me’.

The Exciting Opportunities of Vasco da Gama  -  Dr Moontarin Ansar and Dr Luisa M Pettigrew MBChB MRCGP DRCOG DFFP DCH

Whilst at Edinburgh University Luisa Pettigrew developed a passion for International Medicine becoming involved in the UK international medical student organisation, Medsin. Following graduating in 2002 she completed a Diploma in International Health in Madrid. Thereafter she completed vocational training in London.  She was inspired by the Vasco da Gama Movement following attending the European WONCA conference in Istanbul last year, and in November 2008 was appointed by the RCGP International Committee as the UK VdGM Council representative. She currently works as a salaried GP in London.

 

AiT Financial Health Check

Colin Hunter, Fiona Dalziel and Sandy Gower

Back due to popular demand, this session starts with a brainstorm of any financial issues AiTs wish to cover followed by an interactive discussion with the College Honorary Treasurer and two senior practice managers. Topics generally have been wide ranging from issues with the college, to working as a locum and to joining practice.
 
Colin Hunter is a GP from Aberdeen and is in his sixth year as College Treasurer.

 

AiT's Social Night - Curry and Karaoke

We've taken over an entire restaurant next to the Tall Ship for this evening, back by popular demand.  Situated just 5 minutes from the SECC, and for the grand sum of £15 you'll have an evening of curry, karaoke and other entertainment. 

The evening will be run by the AiT team, and whilst we'd encourage all AiTs to attend, we welcome any other delegates who'd like to join us. 

Although tickets will be available on Thursday during the conference, we strongly advise you to book in advance as we anticipate this event will sell out very quickly.  

To book, contact the conference team: rcgp@profileproductions.co.uk or book online.

Venue: The Curry Karaoke Club - situated just a short walk from the Conference venue.

Date: Thursday 5 November, 7.30pm

 

Friday 6 November

Stream Event (C4): Living Your Dream

Chairperson: Dr Greg Irving, GP Trainee, Mersey

Andrew ThomsonAiming High After ST3  -  Dr Andrew Thomson

Andrew qualified from Dundee in 1996 and undertook a variety of both clinical and managerial posts prior to entering an innovative GP training scheme in Angus, Scotland. Following completion of his GP training he continues a portfolio career working as sessional GP in the East of Scotland within both urban and rural practices, chairs the Tayside sessional doctors group and is Tayside Local Medical Committee Treasurer. Andrew also remains active in medical politics; having chaired both the BMA GP trainees and AIT committee and continuing as a member of the BMA GP committee and Board of Science and Education.

Vicki GuthrieIs it all about being a Partner?  -  Dr Vicki Guthrie

Dr Vicki Guthrie is an Associate Adviser and GP Trainer in the North of Scotland. She has developed an interest in GP careers advice and workforce planning. She is involved in undergraduate, FY2 and ST teaching and runs a salaried GP scheme for newly qualified GPs in Grampian to develop GPs into GPs with a specialist interest.

Colin SimpsonA GP in the Defence Medical Services  -  Col Robin Simpson

Colonel Robin Simpson is the Joint Defence Professor of General Practice at Royal Centre for Defence Medicine. He has a wide experience of General Practice in the Defence Medical Services including to tri-service multinational military personnel, and their families, in numerous settings including on operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. He is presently involved with several research projects including looking at the “health needs of army families out of hours” and also “the provision of Primary Healthcare on Operations”. As Defence Professor of General Practice, he is responsible for a number of courses, including training all medical officers when they join the Royal Army Medical Corps. Colonel Simpson has been an MRCGP Examiner since 1995 and is a member of the nMRCGP CSA Core Group. He represents the Defence Medical Services on RCGP Council. He is a keen downhill skier and tries to run most days. 

 

AiT Supplement: Medico-Legal Matters...

Chaired by Soleman Begg (GP Trainee, Northern Deanery)

Liz PriceLiz Price (Training, Consultancy & Business Services, MDDUS) will talk about the pitfalls of medicolegal situations faced by GP trainees. 

Essential listening!

Liz Price is the manager of Training, Consultancy and Business Services at MDDUS, where she has worked for nine years. Liz delivers practice-based sessions which advise clinical and support staff on topical risk management issues. Her interactive GP registrar sessions based around anonymised MDDUS casework are also extremely popular and generate annual invitations from registrar groups in Renfrew, Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Lothian and Highland. 

Liz initially qualified in Psychology in 1994 and then worked as a Practice Business Manager in Glasgow for seven years, gaining a Diploma in Practice Management in 1997. She latterly had full responsibility for financial, staff and business development for two practices on three sites. Since then Liz has been awarded an MSc in Occupational Psychology, during which she developed a particular interest in individuals and team dynamics."

 

Saturday 7 November

Stream Event (G6): Well Trainees’ Clinic

Chairperson: Dr Clare Taylor

MeiLing DenneySucceeding at CSA  -  Dr Mei Ling Denney FRCGP MMedSci FHEA & Dr Clare Taylor

Dr MeiLing Denney is a portfolio GP, VTS Programme Director and experienced MRCGP examiner. Within the RCGP CSA Operational Group she has been at the heart of development and maintenance of this exam, and has much experience of teaching candidates on MRCGP exam preparation courses. She has produced DVDs on the COT and the CSA, and is resolutely enthusiastic about general practice and training.

Any Questions?

Your chance to meet with our College leaders – and get direct answers to your questions on training, assessment and prospects for future practice.  Chaired by David Hogg, Mei Ling and Clare Taylor will be joined by Steve Field and Colin Hunter to answer your questions.  Please submit questions before Saturday by speaking to the AiT team.

 

Other sessions you may be interested in…

B6  -  E-Learning: Developing and supporting new approaches to e-learning

B8  -  UK Forum for Rural and Remote Practice

C7  -  Learning Together – Nurse Practitioners and Registrars: multiprofessional education

D5  -  Short Papers: Showcase of the best papers including Research Paper of the Year

D6  -  Addressing health inequalities by raising the standard of GP Specialist Training

D7  -  How to Innovate in Practice

D8  -  eGP

E2  -  Getting ready for recertification: Practice based small group learning – Tartanising a Canadian approach to CPD

E8  -  101 ways to end up in court and how MDDUS will get you out

F3  -  International Primary Care

F4  -  Recent prizewinning research

There will also be loads of other presentations, sponsors & other stands, displays, demonstrations.... the list goes on!

 

Vasco da Gama

This year we’re delighted to host 20 international GP Trainees from across the EU.  They will be attending under the Vasco da Gama scheme, which exists to forge links between GP Training.  There are loads of exciting things happening – look out for the VdG update in the Trainees’ Stream Event A6.  For more information about Vasco da Gama, take a look at http://www.vdgm.eu/.

 

Where to stay?  

If you need accommodation, we recommend the Premier Inn (Argyle Street) for location and value.  Current rates and booking is available by following the accommodation link from this website, but do check other websites to get the best deal.

This trainees’ page will be updated as more details are confirmed for the conference.  Please keep checking!  The AiT Committee is working to secure study leave and funding in order for as many trainees to attend. For details contact your Deanery or local AiT Representative.