I recently raised the issue with management regarding Professional leave for
medical staff to teach on courses. I was initially met with response "it
comes out of the normal study leave". I've suggested a compromise and the
Trust may agree to 6 days a year in addition to the normal study leave.

There is a letter circulating from the DHSS supporting the allocation of
leave for these courses, but our Region says it is out of date and it's up
to individual Trusts.

What has the experience of the list been on this one? Below is a summary.

Regards

Ray McGlone
A&E Consultant
Lancaster


Professional Leave for Advanced Life Support Courses

Definition:  ATLS   3 day Trauma course
APLS   3 day Paediatric Course (U.K. origin)
PALS  2 day Paediatric Course (U.S. origin)
PLS  1 day Paediatric Course
ALS  3 day Medical Resuscitation Course


Some of these courses such as the ATLS are obligatory for trainees during
their Basic Surgical Training. Development and on-going support for such
courses is vital if we are to ensure that the next generation of doctors
have adequate training.  The reduction in junior doctors hours and the
declining  incidence of severe trauma  in the past few decades will mean
that this generation will have a low exposure to severe trauma.

Instructors are not paid to attend these courses although all expenses such
as accommodation and travelling are reimbursed. The ATLS courses last 3
days, either involving 3 weekdays or a Thursday to Saturday slot.
Instructors present lectures, teach in small groups practising skills such
as chest drain insertion and demonstrate trauma management in moulages. The
courses are hard work for instructors as well as candidates.

An ATLS instructor should be present for the whole course. 14 CME points can
be claimed no matter how many ATLS courses are taught on and the instructor
must teach on at least 2 a year to stay accredited. Providers must
re-certify every 4 years and Instructors must re-certify outside their
Faculty home centre.

ALS course instructors must also teach on two courses a year in order to
stay accredited.

Regarding PALS courses. Instructors must teach on a minimum of 3 PALS
courses every 2 years - 1 outside their home centre. Providers must
re-certify every 3 years.

For APLS, Instructors need to teach on 2 a year and providers must
re-certify every 4 years.

The DHSS recommend that Trusts support the Advanced Life Support Courses by
providing Professional Leave in addition to the 30 days study leave over 3
years. This is of course at the discretion of the individual Trust.


Recommendation

Consultants and Staff Grades employed by the Trust may have up to 6 days
additional leave per year to teach on these courses. Staff could then teach
on either two weekday courses or 3 Thursday to Saturday courses. This will
ensure that Instructors can stay accredited in at least one Life Support
Course.

The Trust will not be liable to reimburse travelling or accommodation
expenses as these costs should be covered by the course organisers.