Our Achievments so far
Frontier was launched in 2008. In the initial years, we worked towards developing and maintaining an up-to-date database of all staff grades, associate specialists and specialty doctors. Currently we have 1400 SASGs in our Database.
Frontier has engaged not only SASGs but also people responsible for facilitating CPD at local level. DMEs (Directors of Medical Education) of each Trust were encouraged to appoint ‘Leads’ for their cohort of SASGs to represent their CPD needs and cascade the message and role of SASG CPD funding.
An initial ‘Needs Analysis’ was conducted highlighting the areas development was most wanted:.
| Needs | No. or responses | Percentage of responses |
|---|---|---|
| Leadership and Management Courses | 479 | 23% |
| Specialty specific skills update | 448 | 22% |
| Mentor and Mentee Opportunities | 362 | 18% |
| Postgraduate courses, conferences and secondments | 276 | 13% |
| Teaching and training courses | 141 | 7% |
| E-learning and IT skills | 110 | 5% |
| CESR/Article 15 application assistance |
97 | 5% |
| General courses and skills update | 84 | 4% |
| Appraisal skills and career development workshops | 67 | 3% |
Based upon this data we commissioned educational resources in these areas through commissioning of courses as well as approval of applications for appropriate sponsorships and secondments.
SASG meetings for sharing of information as well as providing a platform for listening to issues have also been important events for Frontier. We have conducted surveys to keep abreast with the needs and priorities of SASGs.
Outcomes achieved by Frontier so far:
CPD uptake until November 2010
| 2008 - 09 | 2009 - 10 | 2010 - 11 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Secondments | 4 | 13 | 5 | 21 |
| Courses | 37 | 163 | 133 | 333 |
| Total | 41 | 176 | 138 | 355 |
Responding to Feedback
- Through the listening exercise in March 2011we realised that SASGs face delays in reimbursement for approved funding for their successful applications. From April 2011we have adjusted the policy so that SASGs can be reimbursed for CPD directly for claims <£1000.00.
- Research is an area that has been under represented by SASGs. The reason for this may not be due to lack of initiative. There are costs involved in submission of applications etc that may prove to be inhibitive. Research applications to conferences and journals under the sponsorship route to encourage publication of research.