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Committees

Our committee work is made up of regular meetings of council sub-committees and occasional short-life working groups. The sub-committees meet regularly bringing together the views of our member organisations (the 24 medical royal colleges and faculties) and key stakeholders to create guidance, achieve consensus and share best practice.

All sub-committees take a UK-wide perspective on issues relating to their remit and the Academy’s wider policy priorities.

There are also several intercollegiate groups set up with the colleges and faculties to share best practice. These are informal groups that focus on areas that are common to many or all colleges and faculties.

To get in touch with any member of the Academy team please see our staff page for contact information.

Academy Committee Chairs’ Steering Group (ACCSG)

The Academy Committee Chairs’ Steering Group is the Academy’s overarching education body. It identifies strategies and workstreams to improve postgraduate medical education — providing guidance and direction to get the best results.

 

The ACCSG is led by Mr Mike McKirdy (Chair) and managed by Rose Jarvis.

  • Develop strategy in postgraduate medical education
  • Oversee and coordinate postgraduate medical education of the colleges and faculties on behalf of the Academy
  • Advise and where appropriate direct the work of the Academy’s other education committees/groups
  • Facilitate a common approach between the Academy education committees/groups
  • Inform Joint Academy and COPMeD Training Advisory Group (JACTAG) strategy

  • Academy Chair of Council
  • Academy Director of Policy and Government Affairs
  • Academy Policy Managers
  • Academy Clinical Fellow
  • Chair of the Academy Assessment Committee
  • Chair of the Academy Foundation Programme Committee
  • Chair of Joint Academy Training Forum
  • Chair/Education lead of Academy Trainee Doctors’ Committee
  • Chair of the Academy Professional Development Committee

Co-opted members

  • Chairs of the Academy Specialty and Associate Specialist (SAS) Doctors Committee
  • Chair of the Academy Patient Lay Committee

Three times a year

Academy Foundation Programme Committee (AFPC)

The Academy Foundation Programme Committee coordinates and facilitates the work of the colleges and faculties to produce the Foundation Programme Curriculum.

 

The curriculum is for doctors in their first two (foundation) years after graduation to improve patient care now and in the future.

 

The Academy owns the Foundation Curriculum, but it does not manage the Foundation Programme — which is the role of the UK Foundation Programme Office.

 

The AFPC is led by Dr Fiona Cameron (Chair) and managed by Kate Tansley.

  • To be responsible for the Foundation Programme Curriculum
  • To coordinate and facilitate the work of the royal colleges and faculties on issues relating to the Foundation Programme Curriculum
  • To write, and update when necessary, the Foundation Programme Curriculum
  • To work in conjunction with other relevant bodies relating to the Foundation Programme Curriculum

  • Each Academy member college and faculty
  • Foundation School Directors (from each of the four nations)
  • UKFPO Co-Chairs/Faculty Development Group (FDG) Chair

Co-opted members

  • Foundation Trainee Doctors from UKFPO Foundation Doctors Advisory Board or the colleges/faculties
  • Academy Trainee Doctors’ Committee
  • Patient/Lay representatives
  • Conference Of Postgraduate Medical Deans (COPMeD )
  • Committee of General Practice Education Directors (COGPED)
  • General Medical Council
  • Medical Education Leaders UK
  • Medical Schools Council
  • NHS Employers
  • UK Foundation Programme Office

Three times a year.

Plus smaller short-life working group meetings as necessary.

Joint Academy Training Forum (JATF)

The Joint Academy Training Forum (JAFT) coordinates and facilitates the work of the colleges and faculties regarding medical specialty training. It improves the sharing of expertise, minimises duplication and develops joint approaches between the colleges, faculties, Deaneries and other relevant organisations.

 

JATF is led by Dr Camille Harron and Professor Nicki Cohen (Co-Chairs) and managed by Claire Coomber.

  • To work with all relevant bodies to develop a coordinated approach to issues of postgraduate medical specialty training
  • To coordinate and facilitate the work of the medical royal colleges and faculties on issues relating to postgraduate medical specialty training
  • To inform policy decisions relating to UK-wide implementation and delivery of postgraduate medical education
  • To recommend processes and timescales for any necessary project work plans
  • To alert relevant bodies of areas of best practice as well as barriers to implementation and delivery where appropriate

  • Each Academy member college and faculty
  • Joint Committee on Surgical Training
  • Joint Royal Colleges of Physicians Training Board
  • Academy Trainee Doctors’ Committee Chair/ education lead
  • Lay representation
  • Academy Assessment Committee representative Chair/ Vice-Chair
  • Academy Foundation Programme Committee Chair/ Vice-Chair
  • UK Foundation Programme Office
  • Chair of the Conference Of Postgraduate Medical Deans (COPMeD )
  • Chair of Committee of General Practice Education Directors (COGPED)
  • Deans (England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland)
  • Medical Education Leaders UK
  • General Medical Council
  • Health Education England
  • NHS Education for Scotland
  • Medical Schools Council

Three times a year

Plus smaller short-life working group meetings as necessary

Broad Based Training Governance Group

The Broad Based Training (BBT) Governance Group reports to JATF. It ensures Academy oversight and governance of BBT training (currently only Scotland is running a BBT programme).

 

In 2021 the Academy published the curriculum for BBT. For additional information and questions you may have about the programme go to our frequently asked questions for BBT.

 

Our work on broad based training is managed by John-Paul Mattar (Policy Manager).

  • To provide good governance for the BBT programme in all member countries of the UK as appropriate
  • To ensure that the governance group is informed by representatives of the four colleges (JRCPTB, RCGP, RCPsych and RCPCH) of all changes to curricula that will impact the BBT programme
  • To ensure that the BBT curriculum is updated by representatives of the relevant college, and that Deans in the relevant countries are informed promptly of any changes
  • To provide a voice for BBT trainees, training programme directors and Deans
  • To approve new BBT training posts

  • The Joint Royal College of Physicians Training Board on behalf of the Colleges of Physicians
  • Royal College of General Practitioners
  • Royal College of Psychiatrists
  • Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health
  • A Lead Dean
  • A Training Programme Director from each nation involved
  • A trainee representative
  • A lay representative

Three times a year

Plus smaller short-life working group meetings as necessary

Academy Assessment Committee (AAC) 

The Academy Assessment Committee coordinates the views of the colleges and faculties on issues relating to postgraduate medical assessment. The committee work takes a UK-wide perspective to improve assessment in relation to development, delivery and governance.

 

The AAC has collated college and faculty exam dates and result publication dates.

 

The AAC is led by Professor Peter Brennan (Chair) and managed by Claire Coomber.

  • To work with external organisations relating to assessment in postgraduate medical education
  • To define and agree on principles relating to the development, delivery and governance of assessments in postgraduate training
  • To support the regulator in the creation of guidance documents relating to the above
  • To ensure that common standards relating to assessment are understood, agreed and in practice
  • To provide a forum where matters concerning assessment can be aired, discussed and acted upon as necessary
  • To ensure that colleges and faculties are aware of issues relating to assessment

  • Two representatives from each Academy member college and faculty
  • Joint Committee on Surgical Training (JCST)
  • Joint Royal Colleges of Physicians Training Board (JRCPTB)
  • Academy Trainee Doctors’ Committee Chair/ education lead
  • General Medical Council
  • Conference Of Postgraduate Medical Deans (COPMeD )
  • NHS Employers
  • Academy Foundation Programme Committee Chair/ Vice-Chair
  • Psychometrician
  • Prescribing Skills Assessment

Three times a year

Plus smaller short-life working group meetings as necessary

Academy Professional Development Committee (APDC)

The Academy Professional Development Committee works with colleges, faculties and other key stakeholders to ensure the continued effective implementation of all UK-wide elements of revalidation.

 

The APDC advises doctors and other senior professionals allied to the colleges and faculties on the development and administration of their CPD and, so far as possible, standardises the administration and quality assurance of such schemes.

 

The work is led by Dr John Woodhouse (Chair) and managed by Kate Tansley.

  • To ensure that the specialist processes developed by colleges and faculties in support of CPD and revalidation are robust and effective
  • To share information and expertise between colleges and faculties, and other stakeholders, on all matters relating to CPD and revalidation
  • To set up CPD workstreams relating to issues of priority for colleges and faculties
  • To act as a communication channel on behalf of the colleges and faculties with key stakeholders in the four nations

  • Each Academy member college and faculty (normally the Clinical Lead for Revalidation or CPD)
  • General Medical Council
  • Academy Patient Lay Committee
  • Academy Specialty and Associate Specialist (SAS) Doctors Committee
  • Conference Of Postgraduate Medical Deans (COPMeD)
  • NHS England
  • Department of Health for the four Nations
  • Royal Society of Medicine
  • Practitioners Performance Advisory Service
  • NHS Employers

Three times a year

Plus smaller short-life working group meetings as necessary

Academy Trainee Doctors’ Committee (ATDC)

The Academy Trainee Doctors’ Committee takes a UK-wide perspective on policy issues relating to post-graduate medical education and training. It represents the trainee doctors of all the royal colleges and faculties.

 

The ATDC is led by Dr Waqas Akhtar (Chair) and managed by John-Paul Mattar (Policy Manager).

  • To advise the Academy Council on the perspective of trainee doctors on relevant issues.
  • To represent the college and faculty trainee committees on issues relating to training  
  • The focus is predominantly generic cross-specialty issues, however, some work may focus on specialty-specific issues 
  • To assist the Academy in its objectives by providing a trainee doctor view  
  • To feed information back to trainees in their own colleges and faculties

  • Two representatives from each Academy member college and faculty
  • Association of Surgeons in Training (ASiT) representing Royal College of Surgeon England
  • British Orthopaedic Trainees’ Association (BOTA) – representing Royal College of Surgeon England
  • Scottish Academy Trainee Doctors’ Group

Members of the ATDC are doctors in training who chair or represent their own college or faculty trainee committee. Each college selects its own trainee representatives.

Co-opted members:

  • A member of the Academy Council (college/ faculty President)
  • A member of the Academy Patient Lay Committee
  • The Chair and Deputy Chair (Education and Training) of the BMA Junior Doctors Committee
  • Two foundation representatives nominated by the UKFPO
  • A representative from the Faculty of Management and Leadership
  • A trainee representative from the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges Wales
  • Academy SAS Committee representative

Three times a year

Plus smaller short-life working group meetings as necessary 

Academy Specialty and Associate Specialist (SAS) Doctors’ Committee

The Academy Specialty and Associate Specialist (SAS) Doctors’ Committee represents the needs, interests, and views of SAS doctors and dentists. This includes specialists, associate specialists, specialty doctors, staff grades, hospital practitioners, clinical assistants, senior clinical medical officers, clinical medical officers and long-term locally employed doctors.

 

The committee brings together SAS representatives to exchange information and share good practice. It encourages SAS representation at all colleges and faculties, promotes a positive profile and development of the SAS workforce and gives a voice to SAS doctors and dentists regarding wider issues in healthcare.

 

The committee is led by Vinita Shekar and Vaishali Parulekar (Co-Chairs) and managed by John-Paul Mattar (Policy Manager).

  • To represent the views of SAS doctors across the UK to the Academy council and its sub-committees in order to inform their work in support of the highest standards of patient care
  • Share information and expertise relating to professional regulation, clinical governance, clinical excellence and quality in relation to SAS doctors
  • Review, provide advice and aid consistency across specialties on the continuing medical education, professional development and career progression of the SAS workforce
  • Develop general advice and resources to support new SAS doctors and dentists, both before their appointment and during their employment

  • Each Academy member college and faculty (usually be the SAS lead)

Co-opted members

  • Immediate past Chair of the Academy SAS Committee (for 18 months from the time they demit)
  • Chair of Academy Trainee Doctors’ Committee
  • Lay representative
  • Chair of the BMA’s Staff, Associate Specialists and Specialty doctors Committee (SASC)
  • SAS lead for the British Dental Association (BDA) Central Committee for Hospital Dental Services

Twice a year

Plus smaller short-life working group meetings as necessary

Academy Workforce Committee

The Academy Workforce Committee takes a UK-wide perspective on workforce issues. It advises the Academy on workforce policy and strategy.

 

The committee works collaboratively with medical royal colleges and faculties, and key stakeholders, to identify, explore, and build a cross-college and faculty positions on  issues, including:

  • Recruitment
  • Retention
  • Flexible working (including portfolio careers)
  • Staff wellbeing
  • Future workforce planning
  • The changing shape of the profession (including trainees, SAS, LEDs, consultants and GPs)
  • Multi-professional team working and new ways of working across healthcare

 

The committee is led by Fiona Donald (Chair) and managed by John-Paul Mattar (Policy Manager).

    • Inform Academy responses to relevant consultations, white papers, and inquiries
  • Provide robust, evidence-informed expertise and analysis on current workforce issues across the four nations
  • Provide a forum for members to exchange best practice in the design, development, and delivery of workforce policy
  • Consider any recommendations or advice from the Intercollegiate Workforce Group
  • Produce information and resources as required

  • Two representatives from each Academy member college and faculty, one should usually be the workforce lead

Co-opted members

  • Academy Patient Lay Committee
  • Academy Specialty and Associate Specialist Doctors Committee
  • Academy Trainee Doctors’ Committee
  • Intercollegiate Workforce Group

Three meetings a year

Plus smaller short-life working group meetings as necessary

Academy Patient Lay Committee (APLC)

The Academy Patient Lay Committee’s (APLC) principal role is to ensure thats its input into Academy work has the greatest impact possible to improving patient care. The APLC’s output is aligned with the Academy’s purpose and strategy.

 

Committee members are positively encouraged to view the role as not only representing their college or faculty, bringing and feeding back issues, but also as working to improve patient care and health outcomes in the widest possible context.  

 

The APLC is led by Ros Levenson (Chair) and managed by Kate Tansley.

  • To contribute patient perspectives to the Academy’s policy priorities, focusing on improving patient outcomes
  • To give patient perspectives to the Academy’s Council, committees and working groups
  • To provide patient perspectives for Academy work, including consultation responses and policy statements
  • To host and organise an annual patient engagement seminar
  • To support colleges and faculties to increase participation in the APLC
  • Informing and developing the Academy Stakeholder Reference Group through wider engagement

  • Each Academy member college and faculty, usually the Chair or Vice Chair of their patient/lay representative group

Four meetings a year