ARCP Information
Annual Review of Competence Progression (ARCP)
The ARCP is an annual review which ensures that you are meeting the standards and competences set in the Curriculum for CCT in Anaesthetics. It is a formal process to determine whether you can progress to the next stage of your training, and your preparation and presentation should be in accordance with this. An ARCP is not an assessment in itself, rather a review of all the assessments that took place in the year.
The estimated CCT/CESR will be checked and recalculated if necessary.
It is mandatory for all Specialty Registrars, including those who are appointed as a LAT (Locum Appointments for Training), to undertake at least one ARCP per year. Less than Full Time trainees will be reviewed at the same frequency as full-time trainees.
Trainees who are out of programme also need to be reviewed annually in order to ensure they maintain contact with the School, and to verify their training status on an annual basis.
What happens on the day of your ARCP?
On arrival, once you have registered, you will be reviewed first by a local panel. The panel will go through your e-portfolio with you, checking that everything is complete for the level of training being reviewed. Based on the evidence seen, the panel will make a recommendation to the Top Table. If you are on the 2010 curriculum you must have your evidence on e-portfolio.
The Top Table will then be presented with the recommendation, and will review each trainee based on this recommendation and the information received from the local panel.
Top Table may choose to see each trainee in person, or review the evidence in the trainee’s absence. This will depend on the year of training being reviewed and whether there is any cause for concern. If you receive an unsatisfactory outcome, you will be seen by Top Table in person, which does give you an opportunity to request a review, or appeal the outcome issued. Top Table are also required to review 10% of positive outcomes.
Either way, it is necessary to wait until your paperwork has all been signed off by Top Table, and you have heard whether they wish to see you, or not, before you leave the process.
Annual Review of Competence Progression (ARCP) Outcomes
Satisfactory Progress
Outcome 1 - Achieving progress and competencies at the expected rate
Unsatisfactory Progress
Outcome 2 Development of specific competencies required, additional training time not required
Outcome 3 Inadequate progress by the trainee, additional training time required
Outcome 4 Released from training programme with or without specified competencies
Insufficient Evidence
Outcome 5 Incomplete evidence presented, additional training time may be required
Recommendation for Completion of Training
Outcome 6 Gained all required competencies
Outcome for Trainees Out of Programme or not in Run -Through Training
Outcome 7.1 Satisfactory progress in, or completion of, the LAT / FTSTA placement
Outcome 7.2 Development of specific competencies required, additional time required LAT / FTSTA placement
Outcome 7.4 Incomplete evidence presented - LAT / FTSTA placement
Outcome 8 Out of Programme: OOPE (Experience); OOPR (Research); OOPc (Career Break)
Note: OOPT must have an annual review and would therefore be reviewed under Outcomes 1-5, not Outcome 8
Outcome 9 Outcome for doctors undertaking top-up training in a training post
Further information can be found by following the link 'The RITA & ARCP Processes. What they mean for you: A guide for trainees' and on the London Postgraduate Medical and Dental Education website.
Revalidation
As a doctor in a specialty training programme revalidation is reasonably straightforward for you. Your ‘responsible officer’ will make a revalidation recommendation to the GMC periodically and will base this recommendation on your participation in the Annual Review of Competence Progression (ARCP) process. This does mean that you need to be engaged in, and meet the assessments and curriculum requirements of your training programme.
Further information can be found here
If you have any queries regarding revalidation please direct them to the Health Education North Central and East London.
ARCP Resources
The ARCP process includes the review of documentation that pertains to your GMC licence to practice. All documentation related to your training and ARCP should be completed through the Royal College of Anaesthetists e-Portfolio. Any other evidence related to your training, e.g. course certificates, CV etc, must be uploaded and linked to the e-Portfolio for the panel to review.
The ARCP Checklist, provides you with a clear list of what is required for your ARCP.
Evidence of training in Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults is now a requirement for ARCP. This can be done through e-learning. Follow the links below for further details, and to complete the e-learning. Please ensure you upload the evidence to your e-Portfolio.
Safeguarding Children (click here)
Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults (click here)
For further information on the Royal College of Anaesthetists e-Portfolio system, please follow the links below:
e-Portfolio - an introduction
e-Portfolio guidance notes