Network principles for prevocational medical training - HETI

GP DPETs must be involved in the planning of prevocational training networks. Like hospital DPETs,
they must be invited to meetings of the Network Committee for Prevocational Training, and must
receive the minutes and agendas of these meetings.
It is a good idea for networks to provide regular opportunities for DPETs, JMO Managers and others
involved in prevocational training to meet and get to know each other.
Role of JMO management units
The JMO management unit in a hospital is the centre for administration of employment, training
and education of junior doctors. The JMO unit is the point of continuous contact for prevocational
trainees throughout their time at a hospital, and JMO managers are well placed to monitor trainee
welfare. The JMO unit works closely with the hospital DPET and will liaise with the general practice
DPET who is responsible for trainees on rotation from the hospital to general practice.
The JMO unit supports and monitors trainees, manages their rosters, rotations and leave requests,
advocates for quality training terms and good supervision, and ensures that training accreditation
standards are met.
Role of General Clinical Training Committee
Each prevocational training hospital must have a General Clinical Training Committee (GCTC) to
ensure that trainees are clinically competent for safe practice and provide quality patient care.
The GCTC advises on education and information resources needed to support education programs,
and provides appropriate advice on other matters relating to the delivery of medical education and
training.
The GCTC provides support to the DPET and oversight of the DPET role. For example, the GCTC
should ensure that there is an appropriate succession plan for the DPET.
For more information, see the GCTC terms of reference in the appendices.
Role of Network Committee for Prevocational Training
Each prevocational training network must establish a Network Committee for Prevocational Training
(NCPT) to support the efficient running of training in a fair and transparent manner.
The purpose of the committee is to develop safe, high quality training of prevocational trainees
through good governance and management of the training program based in the network.
Some NCPT’s form subcommittees to manage details of work (eg, an education subcommittee to
coordinate network-wide education), or working groups to manage particular projects.
In effect most of this book is about the issues that the NCPT manages. The NCPT terms of
reference (see appendices) is a good summary of its responsibilities.
Trainee representation
All network and hospital committees for prevocational training must include trainee representation.
To encourage trainee representation, actively engage trainees in the work of the committee. Don’t
just have trainee reps as tokens: give them tasks and expect input. It may be helpful to have an
active trainee subcommittee that meets separately.
34