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Post-CCT Obstetric Medicine Credential

Welcome to the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) credential in obstetric medicine. It has been designed for post-CCT (or equivalent) physicians with an interest in obstetric medicine, who wish to gain a credential in this specialist area.

This is a learner-led credential. You will need to plan your own learning and identify opportunities to gain the knowledge and expertise required to complete the credential. 
You will be supported by an educational advisor in your obstetric medicine training centre who will provide guidance during your training period there, and advice on how the knowledge and skills developed during the credential might be used when you return to your usual clinical environments. 

The complete handbook for the credential is available to download below.

Eligibility

Physicians undertaking this credential must hold a CCT (or equivalent) in a medical specialty.  This includes those already in substantive consultant posts, specialist registrars who have a CCT or CESR or equivalent, and SAS doctors where appropriate.

Applications to undertake the credential are accepted from physicians in any medical specialty provided they are actively involved in delivering joint obstetric and specialist care, whether in joint clinics or the acute setting. 

Participants must be fully registered with the GMC and must not have any restrictions on their practice which could prevent them from completing the credential training or practising as a physician upon completion of the credential.

Time commitment

When completed full-time, the credential runs over a six-month period.  During that period, participants are required to spend a minimum of 50% of their clinical practice time at one of the obstetric medicine training centres approved to host the RCP credential.  Details of these centres are available in the handbook.

Less than full time participants may need longer, pro rata, to complete the credential.  The appropriate credential training period will be agreed with the educational advisor at the start of the credential. 
 

The Credential process

Participants must identify learning needs and learning opportunities which enable them to develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours necessary to achieve five ‘Capabilities in Practice’, including management of acute referrals in obstetric medicine, caring for medical inpatients, management of outpatients with long term conditions, treatment and management of conditions across the range of medical specialties, and management of the multidisciplinary team.

It is the responsibility of the participant to maintain a portfolio of evidence which shows their progress and demonstrates achievement of the credential requirements.
This portfolio of evidence will be reviewed by the educational advisor at the final review meeting. Their recommendation will be communicated to an external reviewer, who will also assess the portfolio to inform the decision of whether to award the credential.

Application process

NHS England has funding available to support the training of a number of physicians in the field of Obstetric Medicine using the RCP credential. Credential participants from regions that do not currently have an obstetric physician within their network will be prioritised for these funded places, to ensure an appropriate spread of skills and expertise.

It is anticipated that up to eight funded places remain for 2021/2022.

An application process for these places will be announced following the COVID-19 incident response. Prospective participants who are interested in applying to the credential are advised to contact: england.maternitytransformation@nhs.net

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can undertake the RCP post-CCT (or equivalent) credential in Obstetric Medicine?

Applications to undertake the credential are accepted from physicians in any medical specialty provided they are actively involved in delivering joint obstetric and specialist care.  Participants on this credential must hold a CCT (or equivalent) in a medical specialty, so applications are welcome from those already in substantive consultant posts, SpRs who have a CCT or CESR or equivalent, and SAS doctors as appropriate.

Any physician wishing to undertake the credential must be fully registered with the GMC, and must not have any restrictions on their practice which could prevent them from completing the credential training, or from practising as a physician upon completion of the credential

Where can I undertake the credential in Obstetric Medicine?

There are currently four approved training centres: Guy’s & St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Queen Charlotte’s & Chelsea Hospital. Further details about each of the training centres can be found in the handbook of the Obstetric Medicine credential.

How long does it take to complete the credential in Obstetric Medicine? Can I undertake the credential if I work less than full time?

The RCP Obstetric Medicine credential runs over a six-month period when completed full time.  Less than full time participants can agree an appropriate pro rata training period with their Educational Advisor at the start of the credential.

How is the credential in Obstetric Medicine assessed?

This is a learner-led credential, and requires participants to achieve five Capabilities in Practice (CiPs) at level 4 (see Obstetric Medicine credential handbook for full details). Guidance is provided by an Educational Advisor, who is assigned to each participant at the start of the training period.

Participants must keep a portfolio of evidence to demonstrate their progress and achievement throughout the credential. The portfolio will include WPBAs, MCRs, anonymised log books of cases, and evidence of reflection. Full requirements are listed in the Outcome Decision Aid.

At the end of the credential training period, the portfolio is reviewed by the Educational Advisor and an External Reviewer. They will assess the portfolio to inform the decision whether or not to award the credential.

Who do I contact if I am unhappy about an assessment decision?

If you wish to appeal against a recommended extension to remedy gaps and weaknesses in performance, or against a ‘fail’ grade in the credential, you should alert your Educational Advisor and email the Assessment Unit of RCP London at obstetricmedicine@rcplondon.ac.uk, outlining the reasons for your appeal.  The permitted grounds for appeal are outlined in the handbook for the Obstetric Medicine credential.