As part of ongoing organisational preparedness, Ian Dalton, National Director of NHS Flu Resilience and Pat Hamilton, Director of Medical Education (England) have written outlining arrangements for the rotations of doctors in training in the event of serious pandemic flu.

I attach a paper prepared by Prof David Sowden, the Pandemic Flu educational advisor to the DH. It sets out the arrangements for rotations of trainees at national, deanery and trust level in the event of serious pandemic flu.

The safety of patients is paramount, and PMETB supports trainees contributing appropriately to health service delivery in these exceptional circumstances, and appreciates that this may, for a limited period, take precedence over training.

This document supports local decisions being taken where possible, with the exception of the main national rotations. It emphasises the importance of communication with local postgraduate deans, medical directors of SHAs and medical directors of Trusts. Any decisions must also be discussed with the local junior doctors groups and other clinicians affected by the arrangements.

Further work is being done on the educational impact of such decisions and the NHS will need to ensure there is no lasting detriment for those trainees affected.

This paper has been discussed with representatives of key groups who will be affected, including the Junior Doctors Committee. I would be grateful if you could share this advice with colleagues for whom this information is relevant.

Yours sincerely

Patricia Hamilton, Director of Medical Education (England)

Ian Dalton, National Director of NHS Flu Resilience

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