Heartbeat: Trust becomes one of twelve to restart MRCP PACES examination

January 17, 2021

SWB has become one of the first Trusts across the country to resume practical assessment of clinical examination skills (PACES) Membership of the Royal Colleges of Physicians (MRCP) examination having introduced COVID-19 secure measures which keep both students and examiners safe.

This was achieved thanks to round the clock work by our Trust doctors, postgraduate centre and our IT department ensuring the set-up of Microsoft Teams and other Royal College technical requirements at our City site.

Dr Parijat De, Consultant Physician, Diabetes and Endocrinology hosted the PACEs exam amidst the challenging circumstances presented by the pandemic. Dr Jessica Lee Dr Vaishnavi Kumar and, Dr Priscilla Sarkar all supported this project too.

One of the major adaptations implemented this year was to conduct the consultations in a digital format using video conferencing equipment allowing the Trust to adhere to the two-metre COVID-19 ruling. Other steps taken to ensure safety was maintained, included regular temperature checks for all involved (patients, surrogates, examiners and candidates), social distancing, limiting patient and candidate/examiner contact as well as enhanced cleaning.

These measures meant that PACES exams could once again commence due to the successful implementation of social distancing and other regulatory safety measures. They were initially postponed in March due to the first wave of the pandemic.

Dr Jessica Lee, Acute Medical Registrar, based at City Hospital, welcomes the muchneeded restart. She said: “Having missed well over eight months of these crucial examinations, it was important for our Trust and the candidates to get going again.

“The Royal College exams are membership exams offered by the Royal Colleges. Passing the relevant membership exams are essential to complete speciality training and for doctors, passing marks progression from a medical senior house officer to a medical registrar.”

Dr Parijat De added: “We are only one of twelve Trusts in the country to be able to restart PACES again and the success was down to the hard work and dedication of many involved.

“A massive thank you goes to the medical education team based in the postgraduate centre, everybody in IT, especially Aaron Hyett, all the junior doctor volunteers, the nurses and HCAs who helped set up the exams. Most importantly, I must say thank you to our three SpRs.