The STP consists of at least eight full days of curriculum linked education throughout the year.  The training days usually take place at Pinderfields Hospital Medical Education Center, and are amalgamated with the educational programmes for South and East Yorkshire. 

The day normally comprises presentations on two major educational topics are presented by one of the consultant faculty. A copy of a typical programme is attached here. There are also three presentations from trainees in the form of a journal club.  The rota is managed by the local trainee representatives and it is expected that StRs will present at least twice during their training. The article is usually recommended by the speaker.

After each training day there is a short online feedback form to complete; this is essential to ensure that the STP remains useful and relevant for trainees. Feedback must be completed in order to receive an attendance certificate. Certificates should be uploaded to the e-portfolio along with a list of any dates missed and the reason why (for example due to nights or on-calls). These documents will be reviewed at ARCP; 70% attendance is expected.

A formal study leave form must be completed for each training day and signed off by educational/clinical supervisors.

If you have any questions about the training programme please contact Dr Kate Williams (Mid Yorks NHS Trust) who, along with the three trainee representatives, co-ordinates the STP.

This is a quarterly meeting of all the regional consultants, which is also attended by a panel of interested radiologists and pathologists.  Consultants and StRs are encouraged to bring rare or complex cases along to the meeting which can be discussed, partly as an educational exercise but also as a means of gaining peer support and advice.

It is expected that StRs participate and present cases throughout the year, aiming for at least 2 during your training. After presenting a case you should complete a reflective assessment for your eportfolio.

An attendance register is kept at this meeting and is used to inform the ARCP panel. Attendance at three of these meeting can be counted as one day towards the final requirement of structured respiratory training (i.e. two hours per meeting).

If you are not on the mailing list you should contact Dr Paul Beirne at St James's University Hospital. The Closed Clinic is held in the Radiology Academy, Leeds General Infirmary.  Food is provided from 17:45 and the meeting commences at 18:30.

The Specialist Certificate Examination

The Specialist Certificate Examination (SCE) in respiratory medicine is set at the level of a newly appointed Consultant. There is only one opportunity to sit the exam in October every year and it is recommended that StRs consider taking the SCE before their final year. A CCT can not be awarded without success at the SCE and once the trainee has gained their CCT in Respiratory Medicine, they will be eligible to use the post-nominal MRCP (Respiratory Medicine).

The exam consists of two papers each lasting 3 hours, each paper has 100 questions. The questions are in ‘best of five’ multiple choice format; there will be five plausible options to choose from only one of which is correct There is no negative marking. 

The pass rate for 2019 was 65%.

More information can be found on the MRCP and the BTS websites.

Dr Adam Hill and Dr Ian Coutts, Secretary and Chair respectively of the Respiratory SCE Board have given the following tips:

• Work hard
• Read the respiratory curriculum
• Attend MDM meetings in the various specialty blocks 
• Interpret lung function tests including spirometry, flow volume loops, full pulmonary function tests, exercise physiology and arterial blood gases in day to day practice
• Interpret chest radiology including chest radiography, CT scanning and PET scanning (look at the images before reading the report)
• Read all the Guidelines by the British Thoracic Society and guidelines from other Societies such as the European and American Thoracic Societies
• Read the key Respiratory Journals and keep up-to-date, for example the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Thorax, European Respiratory Journal, CHEST and many others
• Read relevant guidelines from NICE and SIGN
• Attend BTS Short Courses
• In certain areas, reading books can be very helpful.

The second Yorkshire Respiratory SCE will be held on 12/9/19. If you have any questions please contact Dr A Dwarakanath (akshay.dwarakanath@midyorks.nhs.uk).