During the pandemic curriculum derogations were put in place to allow trainees to progress where possible. This included adjustments to recruitment requirements that allowed trainees to start clinical oncology training without full MRCP(UK) where COVID-19 had impacted on the ability to sit exams. While this prevented trainees being unfairly disadvantaged, the trainees who have progressed in this way need additional support to balance preparing for their MRCP exams with the start of their clinical oncology training.
The RCR has worked with HEE to produce guidelines for training programme directors to help provide consistency in the support offered to this group of trainees across all regions and to ensure that there is fairness in the approach taken at ARCP.
Any trainees having difficulty accessing the support they need to pass MRCP(UK) exams are advised to contact curriculum@rcr.ac.uk