Training & Trainers

Progress with the training scheme

The provision of trainers and leadership of the MetBioNet training programme 2008/10

Background

The training programme was initiated in 2004. The trainers were appointed first. The structure that was agreed at that time with the stakeholders comprised a national lead trainer, 0.4 wte and three regional trainers, one for each 'cluster', 0.4 wte. The trainer funding was for a three year period and this finished in the Autumn 2007.

The initial tranche of funding from the Department of Heath was sufficient for nine Higher Specialist Trainees in Paediatric & Metabolic  Biochemistry. The DoH funding was 50% plus support costs, host Trusts made up the other 50%. The candidates were appointed at interview in three rounds based on geographical location. They started in 5year fixed term posts round about the same time in 2004-2005.

Prior to this there were two HSTs that had been appointed in Birmingham in 2003 on 50% WDC/50% Trust funding and Leeds in 2004 with 100% WDC funding.

What have the trainers done?
 
The trainers, in collaboration with the supervisors, have ensured that the HSTs have received a balanced training from their host departments. The twin training aims of metabolic paediatric experience and progress towards gaining MRCPath have been successfully met in most cases. This has been achieved through:

• Development of a syllabus within the training logbook
• Structured, recorded, annual review with HST, supervisor and MetBioNet trainer
• Organised training events specifically for the HSTs 
• Secondments to other laboratories
• Attendance at professional meetings, SSIEM, BIMDG
• Development of training resources on the MetBioNet website
• Participation in projects, eg revision of commercially sponsored Metabolic Map distributed by Sigma worldwide
• Initiate a new group to promote and encourage specialist training for BMS staff. This group has been lead by Anne Sheldrake, GOS.

The trainers have also had a role in ensuring that pre registration, A grade, trainees have had access to specialist metabolic paediatric training. This has been a collaboration with the ACB Education Committee and Regional Tutors.

The training group has also collaborated with the RCPath examiners to provide specialist material to be used in the examinations.

The training group is now listed as a paediatric training sub-specialty on the website of the European EQA organisation ERNDIM, see http://www.erndim.unibas.ch/

The English DoH provided funding for two more years to run from Mar 2008. However this is at approximately half the level previously given. So there has been a restructuring of the trainer organisation.

What has happened

There are now three trainers for clinical scientists and one for BMS staff.

The initial funding from the trainers ended in Autumn 2007 but this was refunded for two years from March 2007 fro two years at a reduced level.

The lead trainer, myself, continues to take overall responsibility for the programme and liaison with Stakeholders, ACB, RCPath and other relevant professional groups. This was funded at 0.2 wte

Two additional trainers have been appointed to take responsibility for different specialist areas of training and assist in the annual assessments of HSTs. These were funded at 0.2 wte for Lesley Tetlow and 0.4 wte for George Gray. In addition we have appointed Mark DeHora to a new post of BMS trainer with support for 0.2wte.

The four trainers collaborated to identify areas of need or potential areas for development. The trainer posts did not utilise all the available funds. There was therefore be an opportunity to commission discrete work packages from external agencies or professional colleagues. Whilst this funding for trainers ended in March 2010 the trainers are continuing in their roles by extending their existing funding and in the case of George Gray by funding at 0.1wte from existing MetBioNet funds (as agreed by the Stakeholders)

 Out of a total of 18 HSTs appointed to date three are still in post. Out of the remaining 15 all apart from four are in posts in Metabolic Laboratories. Of these four three obtained posts in large District General Hospitals the remaining one left for personal reasons.

A summary of the outcome of the HST Programme up to the end of March 2010 which was submitted to the MetBioNet Stakeholders can be viewed from this link: Summary Report

Pre-Registration (A Grade) Trainees

One of the key responsibilities of the local trainers is to work with ACB Regional Tutors to ensure that all pre-registration clinical scientists in biochemistry get placements in specialist metabolic laboratories. It had been apparent that prior to this arrangement many trainees were not getting this essential experience.

The MetBioNet training group has produced a document outlining minimum requirements for specialist training for pre-registration scientists. This is available from the website. This training is necessary to enable future clinical scientists to understand how to best utilise the specialist diagnostic resources of the metabolic laboratories. It is also a requirement of the MRCPath examination process. The training document has been produced in collaboration with the ACB education committee with which there is an on going liaison. The MetBioNet lead trainer participates as a member of the education committee.

In addition to this the training group liaises with the RCPath examination board and supplies questions and materials for use in the examinations.

BMS training Group
 
The national lead trainer supported by the local trainer for the south facilitated a training initiative for BMS staff in the field of metabolic biochemistry. This new group is chaired by Anne Sheldrake, the head BMS from Great Ormond Street Hospital, London. The organising committee has met on several occasions and organised an inaugural training day with open participation in Birmingham this Spring. It has also organised a training course in amino acid analysis sponsored by Biochrom Ltd. Discussions have been opened between the group and The Institute of Biomedical Scientists on planning career pathways in the specialty. This is likely lead to the creation of specialist diplomas by the Institute.

Publicity

In addition to the website the training programme has been publicised by submitting abstracts, displayed as scientific posters, to National and International meetings.

Green A and Henderson M. A national network for metabolic biochemistry in the UK. Proc ACB National Meeting 2005.

Henderson MJ and Green A. A national training initiative for scientists in metabolic biochemistry in the UK. JIMD 2005, 28, Suppl 1, 248

Henderson MJ. Progress with the MetBioNet training initiative. BIMDG Bulletin 29; Spring 2006

Green A and Bonham J. Working Smarter. A national network for inherited metabolic disorders services: update on developments within paediatric metabolic biochemistry. Bull. RCPath 2006; 136, 32-37

Mick Henderson
MetBioNet Lead trainer
July 2010