All study leave requests for Obstetric & Gynaecology Specialty Trainees are adminstered by Debbie Sirett. School Support Manager & PA to  Head of School of O&G at The Chilterns, Southmead Hospital, Westbury on Trym, Bristol BS10 5NB.  Tel 01179 323 2321.

All study leave requests should be submitted at least 6 weeks before the proposed start date. Retrospective applications for study leave will not be considered for authorisation.  All requests should be submitted on the O&G Study Leave Application Form.

O&G Study Leave Application Form

STEP 1
The trainee should ensure they can be released from their clinical duties & obtain the signature of the rota co-ordinator or their Supervising Consultant.

STEP 2
The trainee should ensure the chosen course/activity is of direct relevance to their professional development & they should also check the courses feedback page to ensure the course will be of value. They should then obtain the signature of their Educational Supervisor to confirm they have a personal development plan.

STEP 3
The trainee should submit the completed & signed form to Debbie Sirett who will confirm there are sufficient study leave days & funding available in the trainee's allocation (unless trainee agrees to self fund).

STEP 4
Head of School will approve study leave request & confirmation will be sent to the trainee by email.

STEP 5 (following study leave attendance)
Trainee should submit an expenses claim form along with a feedback form to Debbie Sirett. All expenses claim forms MUST BE TYPED & NOT HANDWRITTEN.  Any handwritten expense claim forms received at Wakefield for payment will be automatically shredded.  The feedback will be used to inform future trainees about the value of the course attended.

O&G Study Leave Expenses Claim Form
O&G Study Leave Feedback Form

SWOT DAYS & Log Book Days
It is not necessary for specialty trainees to apply to the School for study leave to attend these training days unless they intend to claim for expenses.  The School keeps a record of attendance at these training days & a 70% attendance at the SWOT days is expected.  Study leave to attend outside courses will not be granted unless a minimum SWOT day attendance is reached.

Approved Courses
All Specialty Trainees are encouraged to attend local courses whenever possible (see below).

Priority will be given to trainees attending mandatory courses to complete the RCOG Log Book & ATSMs.

ST1 & ST2 (Basic Training)
During Basic Training all ST1 & ST2 O&G trainees are expected to attend the Friday afternoon teaching sessions organised in Bristol & 70% of SWOT days organised throughout the year in the SW region.  They are expected to pass part 1 MRCOG, attend the Basic Practical Skills in Obstetrics & Gynaecology Course & start to attend the mandatory log book courses.

Study leave for any reason apart from the above is only granted to ST1 & ST2 trainees in exceptional circumstances.  Specialty Trainees using E portfolios should ensure they have completed their Personal Development Plan.

ST3-ST5 (Intermediate Training)
During Intermediate Training Specialty Trainees should be aiming to consolidate their knowledge & working towards part 2 MRCOG & they should attend 70% of all SWOT days.  All Bristol based ST3-ST5 trainees are expected to attend the Friday afternoon teaching sessions.  By the end of ST5 all trainees should have attended all the mandatory log book courses.

Study leave should be used primarily to support the above targets.

ST6-7 (Advanced Training)
During Advanced Training Specialty Trainees need to undertake two Advanced Training Skills Modules & are encouraged to attend a Management Course.  Some ATSMs involve attendance at a mandatory course & priority should be given to this.  All Bristol based ST6-7 trainees are expected to contribute to the Friday afternoon teaching sessions & to attend 70% of all SWOT days.

ST6-7 (Subspecialty Training)
It is recognised that Subspecialty trainees have different Educational & Learning needs.  Subspecialty Trainees are encouraged to contribute to relevant SWOT days & Friday afternoon teaching sessions, however, there is no minimum requirement of attendance.  As with all Advanced Trainees, Subspecialty Trainees should attend a Management Course.

Mandatory Log Book Courses
The following Log Book courses are provided at Trust level in the Severn Deanery & all trainees should have easy access to this training:

                Obtaining Consent
                CTG Interpretation
                Eclampsia Drill
                Drill for Obstetric Collapse
                Should Dystocia Drill
                Basic Neonatal Resuscitation
                Massive Obstetric Haemoorhage

The following Log Book days are provided locally in the SW Region.  All Peninsula & Severn Deanery trainees are invited to attend these days at a nominal cost.  Information about these training days is available on this website via this link Log Book Days 

                Breaking Bad News
                Appraisal & Assessment
                Presentation Skills
                Basic Obstetric Ultrasound Theory Course
                Problems with Puberty
                Rape & Forensic Gynaecology
                Paediatric Gynaecology Problems
                Assisted Reproduction
                Basic Colposcopy Training

The following Log Book Days need to be organised independently by trainees.

                Teaching Skills (wide availability of courses)
                Basic Practical Skills in Obstetrics & Gynaecology (Bristol course organised annually, RCOG
                course 10 times per year)
                Obstetric Energency course (SMASH, Advanced Life Support in Obstetrics (ALSO)/Managing Obstetric   
                Emergencies & Trauma (MOET) - only open to advanced trainees)
                Perineal Trauma Course (wide availability of courses)