GMC requirements
PMETB requires Trusts and Training Programmes to check or "triangulate" data from the National Trainee survey that is undertaken each year. The NW School of Psychiatry and Trusts have therefore developed a series of surveys, not only to pre-empt some of the GMC findings, but also to provide more detail on issues specific to psychiatry, such as trainee safety
The School of Psychiatry has an agreed timetable for surveys, and their reports to the School Board. Individual Trusts will use the same information for Trust Board reports
GMC trainee survey
This is run annually, with results available in Spring. The questions are generic, based aroud the GMC Good Medical Practice. Results are available by Trust, making pinpointing of site specific issues difficult. The survey is mandatory for trainees
GMC trainer survey
This is sent by email to all trainers. The survey covers many of the same domains as the trainee survey. Again, it is difficult to pinpoint site-specific problems, although PMETB expect these to have been resolved by the time of a GMC visit. Completion of surveys is part of the GMC standards for Trainers, and so will be asked about at appraisal
School of Psychiatry survey
This covers the GMC domains in more detail, allowing Trusts and Programmes to identify specific issues. The survey will be run in December each year in order to anticipate problems prior to the next GMC survey. The survey is electronic and participation is recemmmended
Safety Survey
This has been running in the Deanery for a number of years, but is now electronic. The survey is based around the RCPsych Safety for Trainees and Safety in A&E standards. The survey will be run in December annually, and is now incorportated in the School Survey
"Soft Quality Control"
Trusts are devising a number of surveys, run at the end of posts, designed to more accurately detect the strengths and weaknesses of the day-to-day teaching programme. Many such surveys require the trainee to identify the Trust site, but nevertheles remain anonymous.