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SYNOPSIS OF COUNCIL MEETING
7th January 2005

Present:
Dr A Long Chairman
Dr K Byatt Honorary Secretary
Mr A Jeffrey Honorary Treasurer
Dr J Lowes Hon Assist Secretary
Dr E Spencer Editor Clinical Tutor
Dr H Jones Oxford
Dr J Baker Nthn & Yorkshire (Yorks)
Dr M O'Connor Wessex
Dr A Mackie Sth Yorks & Sth Humber
Dr P Harrison Eastern
Dr S Bowles Mersey
Dr J Young London Central
Miss J Wilson London South West
Dr E Hughes West Midlands
Mr A Naftalin London NE
Dr J Young London Nth Central
Dr N Campbell South West
Dr M Cheshire North West (East)
Dr I Verber Nthn & Yorkshire (Nthn)
Dr W Reid Scottish Tutors Group
Mrs J Sharpe NAMEM


Apologies
Apologies were received from: Drs PG Jackson, D McQueen, G Caldwell, J Unsworth, D Baldwin, D McCrea, H Cass, J Stroobant, Messrs A Naftalin, R Keenan, C Weir & Prof P Hill.
Minutes of the last meeting
The minutes of the last meeting were accepted and duly signed.
Matters Arising
The Chairman welcomed everybody to 121st Council Meeting at Horwood House. There was a general agreement that this was a convenient location for the January Council Meeting and the possibility of keeping it as the regular venue for the January Council Meeting was agreed. Action: Exec Manager

The Good Practice Guidelines had been considered by the Officers of the Association in the morning and revised guidelines are to be circulated for comment and alteration and will be submitted for ratification at the next Council Meeting. Similarly, the roles and responsibilities of the Deanery Representatives will be submitted.

The format of the meeting was suggested with ‘hot’ topics identified by the Deanery Representatives prior feedback.
Policies Approval
It was agreed that no policies would be adopted by the Association without prior approval of Council.
Drs Andrew Jeffery and Kit Byatt had responded on behalf of the Association with comments on the draft MMC curriculum, but had not adopted any new policies on behalf of the association.
Reports
  1. Deanery
    The Pre-formatted Deanery Report Form was discussed and felt to be generally useful. There was uncertainty about the level of detail that was required and the titles of some of the boxes would need to be reviewed. – All were tabled.       Action: Officers
  2. COPMeD This was tabled
  3. NAMEM This was tabled
  4. Chairman This was tabled
Hot Topics Discussion – (Pulled from tabled reports and list tabled)
This was introduced by the Chairman.
  1. Deanery Communications
    It was recognised that there was quite a degree of heterogeneity of meetings and attendances across the country, with considerable variability in the attendance of the Postgraduate Deans at region-wide meetings. It was recognised that Modernising Medical Careers was consuming a large amount of Deanery time. It was agreed that there would be feedback to CoPMED on the issue of communication.       Action Chairman
  2. Consultant Contract
    There was also a considerable variation in the interpretation of Clinical Tutor roles within the New Consultant Contract. Caution was expressed about discussing in detail the Consultant Contract with COPMED for fear of suggesting a minimal rather than appropriate level at which trusts might recognise the CT role. It was noted that within the Eastern Deanery the Medical Managers in general were receiving two PA’s for additional responsibility allowance whereas Educational Managers were tending to get one additional PA.
  3. Educational Time and MMC
    There are problems with consultant time for induction and training. Within MMC, there remain sticking points around introduction of Primary Care Posts into the Foundation Programmes. It was generally agreed that in particular Foundation year 1 was an evolution from the current PRHO process rather than revolution. Foundation year 2 was causing particular concern with lack of clarity as to the future. Assessment processes are still not clear and are the same processes to be used to assess F1 and F2? Again - not clear.
  4. CT Appraisal
    A number of models have been developed and in some Deaneries, Associate Deans appear to be taking this on but many Clinical Tutors have still not undergone appraisal of their Clinical Tutor Role. There is still a hiatus in the South West with the Peninsula Deanery coming into force on 1st April 2005. Within the expanded Wessex and South Western Deanery, SHA Deans have been appointed. Again, a huge heterogeneity of roles and time commitments between Deans, Associate Deans, Dean Directors and Postgraduate Deans has been noted across the country. There would appear to be a general alignment of educational responsibilities along SHA lines.
    Following on from the Academy paper on the roles of college tutors- appraisal of these posts by CTs was seen as an evolving CT role.
  5. Foundation Schools and Foundation Tutors
    Again, uncertainty was prominent. Scotland has a national appointment system which is appointing to a 2-year programme although process and entry into the second year is as yet unclear. Awaiting guidance centrally on the issues of recruitment into F2. Consensus is developing that it was difficult to appoint on merit as insufficient data upon which to base judgement.
  6. It was noted that Dr. Mike Bannon (Oxford Dean) on behalf of CoPMED in consultation with ministers over the concerns over EWTD and training particularly with reference to the craft specialties.
  7. NAMEM
    Anxieties around Agenda for Change and incorporation of lines of accountability of centre managers into many HR Departments noted.
Any Other Business
should we include PMETB discussions with AT?
Dates of Future meetings
1100 a.m. 10th May – London, 23rd September – London. 2006 Jan 12/13th – Horwood House, Little Horwood, Milton Keynes
The formal part of council concluded at 1615

Last modified: 8 Jun 2005