Throughout your training in Obstetrics and Gynaecology there are several recommended courses that are designed to improve your skills. Some are mandated – please refer to the updated curriculum matrix for your training year. Below is a list of some of the courses that are available, it is not exhaustive!
See RCOG website and relevant ATSM curriculum for details of requirements
SinErGy (Simulation in Emergency Gynaecology) Course
This course provides hands on simulation experience in the management of emergencies in gynaecology and is provided by the Scottish RCOG committee. Dates/Venues will be communicated via TPDs and also via the NES events page.
Third and Fourth Degree Tear Course
A well-established 3rd and 4th degree tear course is run in Croydon. This is a hands on course with accompanying learning materials. Courses are also run by other providers so check the RCOG website or do a Google search for upcoming courses.
ROBuST: RCOG Operative Vaginal Birth Simulation Training
This course provides instruction and hands on practice in all methods of operative vaginal birth (both rotational and non rotational) to facilitate the achievement of the OSAT competencies on the RCOG Training Matrix. Techniques for performing caesarean section at full dilatation are also covered. This course is provided by the Scottish RCOG committee. Dates/Venues will be communicated via TPDs and also via the NES events page. Also check the RCOG events page for courses in other deaneries.
COMPOP: Complex Operative Delivery Course
This course is aimed at ST6 and ST7 trainees and covers a variety of complex scenarios including rotational deliveries, breech extraction, inverted uterus, classical caesarean section, c/s for transverse lie, impacted head at c/s, cervical cerclage, intrauterine balloon, B-lynch suture, internal iliac artery ligation. The course is run by the Scottish RCOG. Dates/Venues will be circulated by TPDs and listed on the NES events page.
Leadership and Management Programme (LaMP)
NES has developed a course to support trainees to develop some of the personal and professional skills and behaviours needed to understand and work within complex health care systems. This is compatible with some of the professional competencies set out in the RCOG curriculum.
The course is delivered by the Faculty Development Alliance – FDA, a branch of NES.
All Scotland Deanery trainees in O and G from ST3 onwards are eligible to attend and study leave budgets have been ‘top sliced’ to pay for the course. Priority is given to those nearing their CCT date. The course dates book up quickly so make sure you book early.
Pre CCT Trainers workshop
In 2016 the GMC mandated that doctors who train doctors in secondary care, in the capacity of educational supervisor and/or clinical supervisors evidence that they have been trained to do so and are keeping up to date thereafter. The process is described as Recognition of Trainers and is assessed through consultant appraisal.
Many trainees have met trainers who have had a very positive impact on their learning and development and therefore often want to train others as soon as they are consultants. Others have ideas for how to improve training and similarly want to become involved.
To be a recognised trainer at the outset the following are required
In order to facilitate this for those trainees who wish to be ‘trainer ready’ at the time of gaining CCT NES has developed a course. This is called Pre CCT Trainers Workshop and is delivered by the Faculty Development Alliance – FDA, a branch of NES
More information here: Pre-CCT trainer workshop (nhs.scot)
Places can be booked via the Portal by visiting www.portal.scot.nhs.uk and searching for FDA Pre-CCT Trainer Workshop
The FDA team can be contacted on FDA.Admin@nes.scot.nhs.uk
It is increasingly recognised that as well as the technical aspects of performing surgery, human factors play a very important role. Many adverse events are related to human factors. In recognition of this the RCOG have introduced NOTSS tools for Labour Ward and Gynaecology Surgery to provide immediate feedback on non-technical skills with the aim of improving performance.
Non Technical Skills for Trainee Obstetricians:
This course is run at the Scottish Centre for Simulation & Clinical Human Factors and is designed for trainees from ST1-ST5. The course is scenario-based and uses in-situ simulation facilities. The scenarios are not designed to test your knowledge or surgical skills but to provide non-technical skills education and training.
Advanced Life Support in Obstetrics (ALSO)
A structured evidence based, multi-disciplinary training course in the ‘Advanced Life Support’ format, on the practical management of obstetric emergencies including maternal and neonatal resuscitation. Courses are run all over the UK. You must attend either PROMPT or ALSO in ST1 (there is no need to attend both).
Managing Medical Obstetric Emergencies and Trauma (mMOET)
This course is designed for senior clinicians from multi-disciplinary specialties managing the care of pregnant women with medical emergencies and/or trauma. You must have achieved your MRCOG part 2 to be eligible to take part.
PRactical Obstetric Multi-Professional Training (PROMPT)
PROMPT provides multi-professional training for maternity units. It is a mixture of lectures and simulation scenarios designed to practise dealing with obstetric emergencies in your own unit. To book, contact your local PROMPT coordinator. You must attend either PROMPT or ALSO in ST1 (there is no need to attend both).
This is a one day meeting, designed to explore some of the areas that present challenges in the transition from ST2 into ST3 and beyond. Only open to ST2 doctors. The course is run by the Scottish RCOG. Dates/Venues will be circulated by TPDs and listed on the NES events page.
When returning to O+G training after a period of absence (whether planned or unplanned) you may require additional support on your return to work. There are resources available on the RCOG website and the Return to Clinical Practice page on this website. You should discuss your individual requirements with your educational supervisor. You may benefit from attending any of the courses listed above (depending on your educational needs) but there are courses specifically designed to support a return to O+G.
Return to Obstetrics and Gynaecology:
This course is run at the Scottish Centre for Simulation & Clinical Human and is open to doctors of all levels. It aims to help obstetricians and gynaecologists in their return to work after a period of absence.
Laparoscopy
For laparoscopic simulation courses please see the Laparoscopic Simulation section.
Basic Practical Skills in Obstetrics and Gynaecology
The RCOG Basic Practical Skills course (BPS) is designed to introduce trainees to safe surgical techniques and obstetric clinical skills, in a structured workshop environment. The course is standardised to ensure common objectives, content structure and assessment methods are followed and can be linked to the RCOG Training Portfolio and OSATS.
Two-day format enables trainees to focus on hands-on skills by introducing pre-course eLearning materials, including videos and assessments. The course is intended for trainees ST1-2 and is a mandatory requirement for entry into ST3, hence all the relevant basic skills for ST3 are covered. The course is run by the Scottish RCOG. Dates/Venues will be circulated by TPDs and listed on the NES events page. Also check the RCOG events page for courses in other deaneries.
Scottish Basic Ultrasound Course
This course provides the theoretical basis for trainees undertaking the RCOG basic ultrasound modules on early pregnancy ultrasound (8-12 weeks) and ultrasound assessment of fetal size, liquor, and the placenta. It is run by the Scottish RCOG. Dates/venues will be communicated via TPDs and listed on the NES events page.
Check the NES events page to see upcoming courses in Scotland. There are several different providers for the various courses. To find details of the different courses please see the websites below. It is sometimes possible to book onto courses organised by other UK deaneries so if you can’t find the course you are looking for or suitable dates aren’t available, you may be able to find another provider by searching for the specific course name on Google.
Dundee Institute for Healthcare Simulation
Simulation centre attached to Ninewells hospital in Dundee. Courses include various laparoscopic skills courses, hysteroscopy courses, urogynaecology courses as well as gynaecology emergency training and Non Technical Skills courses.
Free parking is available at the hospital.
Address for satnav: Level 6, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee, DD1 9SY, Scotland, UK
Courses include Basic Practical Skills, Basic Ultrasound Course, Step Up, ROBUST, ATSM courses. There are also links to some non-RCOG courses such as 3rd degree tear courses
Scottish Centre for Simulation & Clinical Human Factors, Larbert
Simulation centre attached to Forth Valley Royal Hospital in Larbert. Courses include Return to Obstetrics and Gynaecology (e.g. after OOP), Non Technical Skills for Trainee Obstetricians, Leadership for Trainee Obstetricians and Simulated Laparoscopic skills for O+G.
Free parking onsite.
Address for satnav: Forth Valley Royal Hospital, Stirling Road, Larbert, FK5 4WR
Scottish Committee - RCOG (SCRCOG)
SCRCOG offers various courses throughout Scotland. Currently there is no website listing the events that are available. The event details are usually disseminated via TPDs and will also be listed on the NES events page. The courses offered by SCRCOG are Basic Practical Skills, COMPOP, ROBuST, SinErGy, Step Up, Scottish Basic Ultrasound Course
This page was last updated on: 09.04.2024 at 13.37
