13 July 2011: The Shire Innovation Fund website is now live for anyone to access. Applicants can now apply online as well as view and download past newsletters. Please visit www.shireinnovationfunds.co.uk and www.bsg.org.uk/sections/trainees-news/shire-innovation-fund.html.

Dear Trainee,

Over the last 18 months, the JAG has carried out an extensive review and consultation on the way that trainees are assessed as competent at endoscopy. This article aims to inform you of the changes, provide you with the rationale for the changes and give you a timeline for implementation.

Firstly, the term accreditation is changing to certification to help distinguish this process from the endoscopy unit accreditation process.

Trainees have fed back that the application process for certification can be paper heavy and cumbersome. In response to this, the JAG have designed and released the JETS e-portfolio. From mid March 2011 the application process will be streamlined; you will be able to apply through the JETS e-portfolio. From September 2011, all applications will have to be submitted through the JETS e-portfolio. If needed, supplementary paper evidence will be permitted until at least 2012.

If you are not sure whether your trust has set up the JETS e-portfolio click on this link:

• http://www.thejag.org.uk/TrainingforEndoscopists/ePortfolio/UsingtheePortfolio/TrustsCurrentlySetup.aspx

Details on how to set up the JETS e-portfolio can be found here:

• http://www.thejag.org.uk/TrainingforEndoscopists/ePortfolio/UsingtheePortfolio/SettingUpYourTrust.aspx

The Modernising Scientific Careers (MSC) programme has developed new MSc programmes to support the delivery of the Healthcare Scientist Training Programme. The 2010 / 2011 version of the Cardiac, Vascular, Respiratory & Sleep Sciences and GI Physiology and Urodynamic Science MSc Learning Outcomes and Indicative content is available to view and download on:

• http://www.networks.nhs.uk/nhs-networks/msc-framework-curricula  

This work has been led by the Professional Advisers in the Department of Health MSC team and has benefitted from extensive professional and NHS involvement.

The Association of GI Physiologists (Chairman Dr Jeff Wright, Nottingham) made a decision that graduate entry would be for a higher qualification at MSc level, and the above link details the proposed 3 year programme with learning outcomes which is linked with Urodynamics.

Lynne Smith from Sheffield should be singled out as having made an outstanding commitment to developing this programme. 4 entrants for the programme starting in September 2011 have been identified and funding has been provisionally secured. This is an important step in the career pathway for GI Physiologists who, as many will know, perform to a very high level in support of our gastroenterology services around the UK. Your President Jon Rhodes has strongly supported further career progression to the level of Consultant Clinical Scientist by lobbying the Chief Scientific Officer. Any observations or comments can be fed through This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , President of AGIP, or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , Chairman of AGIP.

Details of registration times and exam dates for 2011 have now been released.

Registration for the SCE in Gastroenterology will open on 18th May and closes 17th June (overseas venues) and 19th August (UK venues). The date of the examination is 21st September.

• Further information

The latest newsletter from the specialty certificate examination team has been produced. It reports that a new memorandum of understanding has been signed between college and specialist societies and also includes a table detailing the number of candidates sitting the gastroenterology exam and the associated pass rates.

• SCE Newsletter March 2011 [ 1.1 Mb ]