Want to know more about the RCPCH's Assessment Review particularly what, why, when and how it's going to affect you? This podcast episode aims to do just that by bringing together some of the College faculty who have been involved through the planning, development and pilot stages.

Dr Cathryn Chadwick, outgoing Vice President for Training and Assessment, Dr Josh Hodgson, Chair of the RCPCH Trainee Committee and Dr Sarah Hallett, Trainee Representative for Assessment at the RCPCH, discuss proposed changes to workplace-based assessments which are designed to better reflect real clinical practice.

Cathryn has been leading the work to review the assessment programme within the Progress+ curriculum for doctors in postgraduate paediatric training. After two pilots and a consultation on the new workplace-based assessments, the proposed changes have been submitted to the General Medical Council for approval. Drawing on insights from trainees, trainers and College teams, the review marks a significant step towards embedding assessment within everyday clinical work.

In this conversation, Cathryn, Josh and Sarah outline the Assessment Review process, proposed changes, and predicted timeline for implementation, and address concerns that have come up along the way.

• Learn more and keep up to date with the Assessment Review process - on RCPCH website
• Read our news page summary and download the transcript from episode 1 - on RCPCH website
• Discover more of our podcasts - on RCPCH Learning

About Cathryn

Cathryn is the outgoing RCPCH Vice President for Training and Assessment, a post she has held since 2021. She is a General Paediatric Consultant at Northampton General Hospital where she has a neonatal interest. Cathryn is excited by the opportunities in the new curriculum for trainees to develop capabilities to provide holistic, joined up care for children and young people.

About Josh

Josh is the Chair of the RCPCH Trainee Committee and a Paediatric Intensive Care Medicine trainee based at the Evelina London Children's Hospital. He is an Associate Fellow of the Faculty of Medical Leadership and Management (FMLM and a member of the Academy of Medical Educators and an Instructor for the Resuscitation Council (UK).

About Sarah

Sarah is the trainee rep for Assessments at RCPCH and an ST6 (S1) in General Paediatrics in the East Midlands. She has provided trainee input throughout the Assessment Review and also sits on the Training Quality and START Boards, as well as the SPIN Working Group.

Representing around 30% of the medical workforce in the NHS, SAS doctors are essential to delivering high-quality care. Yet their role is still evolving in terms of recognition and development. In this episode, Dr Jonathan Darling, who has recently completed tenure as RCPCH Vice President for Education and Professional Development, speaks with Dr Kumar Swamy, neonatology specialist and RCPCH SAS Joint Chair about how the RCPCH SAS committee works to amplify the impact and recognition of SAS doctors through consistent and persuasive messaging.

The two discuss how leadership rarely begins with a title but with curiosity, involvement, and a willingness to contribute. Kumar reflects on his journey to developing leadership skills organically by stepping forward in areas he cared about and learning along the way. Emphasising the benefits of shared leadership, he explains the co-leadership model he follows as RCPCH SAS Joint Chair. This is persistent, collaborative and meaningful leadership in action.

• Read Jonathan's reflections and download the transcript from episode 12 - on RCPCH website
• See related resources about 'Leading the way'- on RCPCH Learning

The views, thoughts and opinions expressed in this podcast relates only to the speaker and not necessarily to their employer, organisation, RCPCH or any other group or individual.

About Kumar

Kumar Swamy is a Specialist in Neonatology at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust. 

He has been involved with the RCPCH SAS committee for over ten years, working first as a regional representative. As a Joint Chair, part of his responsibility is to represent the SAS interests of the College on the Academy of Medical Royal College's SAS meetings. He is also a SAS Tutor for Nottingham University Hospitals and aims to support SAS doctors both locally and nationally. 

How can we use digital technology to address children's physical and mental health needs and shift from reactive to anticipatory, personalised care?

This episode is the first of a series on research and child health and discusses the role of technology in transforming child health. Professor Paul Dimitri, Director of Research and Innovation at Sheffield Children's NHS Foundation Trust and paediatric endocrinology consultant talks with Nish Talawila Da Camara, Head of Research and Evidence. Paul outlines how digital tools, data and artificial intelligence can be used to build a more proactive and humane system for addressing children and young people's health.

There are many exciting advancements in the world of digital health technology, from new infrastructure like the incoming National Centre for Child Health Technology to advancements like remote monitoring, digital twins and AI. But we now face new challenges: Paul emphasises the need for child-focused digital standards and safeguarding measures. As children and young people's physical and mental needs are rising, 'the real opportunity isn't the technology itself. It's what we choose to do with it.'

• Read our news page summary and download the transcript from episode 1 - on RCPCH website
• Discover more of our podcasts - on RCPCH Learning

The views, thoughts and opinions expressed in this podcast relates only to the speaker and not necessarily to their employer, organisation, RCPCH or any other group or individual.

About Paul

Professor Paul Dimitri is a Consultant in Paediatric Endocrinology and the Director of Research and Innovation at Sheffield Children's NHS Foundation Trust. He has been working in the field of Paediatrics since 1998 and Paediatric Endocrinology since 2004.

Paul took office as Vice President for Science and Research at the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health in early 2022 and is leading on the development of the National Centre for Child Health Technology, aiming to bring together industry, universities, healthcare professionals, children and young people and their families to develop the most advanced healthcare technologies for children worldwide.