ARCP derogation guidance for 2021

The General Medical Council and Health Education England (on behalf of all Statutory Education Bodies) have approved the RCPath ARCP derogation guidance for 2021 and it is now available on the College website: COVID-19: information for trainees (rcpath.org)

Please note that for histopathology and chemical pathology, the College also has approval from the GMC that passing the Stage A examination is no longer a requirement for trainees who were in Stage A last year or those currently in Stage A. Information about this is included in the ARCP derogation guidance and there is additional guidance for histopathology.

Please read the guidance linked above carefully. Some highlights include the following:

Stage A

Trainees in the following categories, must also refer to the ARCP guidance:

Stage A examination:

• all trainees who entered ST1 histopathology training from August 2019.

• all current ST1 histopathology trainees (beginning August 2020).

• any trainees who entered histopathology training prior to August 2019 who have not passed the Stage A examination.

Trainees in the above categories must submit a completed Assessment of Performance (AoP) form as part of their ARCP evidence. Trainees currently in ST1 must submit a minimum of one AoP and trainees in ST2 must submit a minimum of two AoPs(one for each year of training). The AoPs replace the Stage A examination which has been cancelled due to Covid-19.

Critical progression points

• The critical progression points are for trainees moving from stages B to C and stages C to D as well as any trainees in Stage D who have sufficient evidence to demonstrate that they have completed their training.

• Trainees in Stages B and C who have sufficient evidence to present to the ARCP panel of the curriculum defined competences and who are in possession of the FRCPath Part 1 (for progression to Stage C) and FRCPath Part 2 (for progression to Stage D) may proceed to the appropriate stage of training may be awarded an outcome 1 and progress to the next stage of training.

• Trainees in Stages B and C who are not in possession of the FRCPath Part 1 (for progression to Stage C) and FRCPath Part 2 (for progression to Stage D) should be awarded an outcome 10.2 where the delay has been caused by COVID-19 disruption, or an outcome 3 where it has not (e.g. related to repeated examination failure).

• Trainees in stage D who have sufficient evidence to present to the ARCP panel of the curriculum defined competencies may be awarded an outcome 6 and apply for CCT if they are within 6 months of their projected CCT date.

The minimum data set for each year of training

For the 2021 ARCPs, it is expected that the Educational Supervisors Structured Report (ESSR) will be a key part of the evidence. It may include indicative assessment of the trainee, mindful of the impact of COVID-19. The portfolio of evidence provided by the trainee for the period under review can include:

• any workplace-based assessments completed. The number of workplace-based assessments required for each year or stage of training is indicative (see curriculum). These can include any undertaken during redeployment which demonstrate evidence of generic or other relevant skills;

• any indicative cases undertaken;

• an MSF (although trainees who have not completed a required MSF but are otherwise satisfactory must undertake their MSF in the following year);

• suitable and appropriate alternative evidence (see ‘Learning Experiences’ listed in the curriculum for guidance - pages 18-19);

• any College exams completed.

Where there is overall evidence that a trainee is generally achieving progress and competences at the expected rate but has not been able to provide the indicative number of workplace-based assessments, suitable and appropriate alternative evidence can be taken into consideration.

Where there is overall evidence that satisfactory progress is not being made and an indicative number of workplace-based assessments has not been provided, trainees will generally be required to complete additional workplace-based assessments in the following year, as determined by the ARCP Panel.

The ARCP Panel are encouraged to be very clear with all trainees about any additional training, competencies, assessments or other requirements that must be achieved in the following year and document these accordingly.

There is clear guidance in each curricula and/or in additional guidance about the requirements for each stage or year of training. ARCP Panels are encouraged to refer to these, and existing ARCP guidance, and make an overall judgement about progression for each trainee, taking into account impact of COVID-19.

Further information including how the ARCP will be conducted, criteria for non-progression, and detailed ARCP outcomes can be found here.