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Bringing Forward a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) date
Introduction
The specialty curricula for doctors in postgraduate training (DrPgTs) have indicative programme durations, however some flexibility exists to bring forward Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) dates if a DrPgT can demonstrate acquisition of the curriculum competencies and capabilities significantly more rapidly than this.
Any decision to agree an earlier CCT date must be based on sound educational principles and also consider the impact on other staff, including DrPgTs, and the clinical service, of early completion.
All applications will be managed through the ARCP process advising the Postgraduate Dean.
This process does not apply to doctors in the Foundation year 2 given the short nature of that programme. Foundation Year 1 remains ‘time bound’ to 1 year, with an allowance of 20 days’ time out of training prior to a review by the Foundation School as per Gold Guide para. 3.185.
Principles for review of a CCT date
DrPgTs may be seeking acceleration through their training programme for one of two reasons:
- They have had previous experience or training (in UK or overseas) that has meant that they had already acquired significant capability prior to entering the formal GMC approved training.
- They have entered the training programme without prior relevant experience but are acquiring capability at a significantly faster rate than that suggested by the indicative programme time.
That while a CCT change may be agreed on educational principles, the service and training rotation impact may mean that it is not appropriate to release the doctor from the training programme earlier than planned for. The decision being taken at the penultimate ARCP should reduce the impact on the rotation by allowing forward planning.
Changes to a CCT date represent at least 10% of the total indicative programme duration (i.e. at least 3 months for a 2-year programme, 4 months of a 3 year programme, 5 months of a 4 year programme and 6 months of a 5 year programme). Smaller reductions in training time than this are unlikely to be agreed given the possible negative impact on other doctors in the programme or rota and the risks to services.
Process
It is a requirement that a DrPgT and their educational supervisor (ES) will have discussed early completion of training at an educational meeting before it is raised formally via an ARCP, and that the support from the ES is documented in the ES report. The following conditions would need to be met in order for an the CCT to be brought forward:
- There have been no significant concerns about the DrPgT’s clinical or professional progress and that they have completed all necessary examinations and assessments required for their stage of training.
- The DrPgT and their ES must agree that the DrPgT’s will has already, or will have, achieved all of the clinical and professional capabilities required significantly before the CCT date and this recommendation must be supported by the Training Programme Director (TPD).
- If the DrPgT is seeking dual or triple CCT then the dates for all specialties must be the same and all TPDs must agree with the new proposed date.
- The ARCP panel that is considering acceleration through the training programme must agree that the DrPgT is ahead of the expected capability/competency progression.
- This would most frequently be the penultimate ARCP panel but may be earlier in training (this may result in DrPgT “skipping” an ST grade. The ST grade would be changed with effect from the next rotation date).
- It is a requirement to review and either confirm or alter the CCT date at each ARCP panel.
- Applications to bring forward a CCT date will not be considered after the penultimate ARCP.
- The final CCT date must be documented at the relevant ARCP and agreed with the Postgraduate Dean or their designated representative. The documentation should include detailed justification of the accelerated CCT date.
- Once the final CCT date has been agreed at the penultimate ARCP no further alterations to make it earlier would be acceptable except in exceptional circumstances at the discretion of the Postgraduate Dean. In the unlikely event that the DrPgT failed to meet mandatory targets set by the ARCP that determined the earlier CCT date, or if for any other reason the panel at the final ARCP felt that additional training was required, then it would need to issue an ARCP outcome 3 detailing the need for a further period of training and a further ARCP review. Whatever final CCT date is agreed then any 6 month “grace period” would start from that date.
- The principles above apply to those undertaking training less than full time as well as those undertaking training full-time.
DrPgT will be required to complete an “Application to bring CCT date forward” in advance of an ARCP panel. This information will then be made available to the ARCP panel to review and make a recommendation.
The final decision rests with the Postgraduate Dean or nominated deputy.
Appendix 1: Process Flow Chart
