RCPsych eNewsletter

October 2021

Welcome to our eNewsletter for members

In this issue we respond to the Government's Spending Review, talk about our coverage of COP26 in Glasgow, welcome over 190 new RCPsych members, and discuss the implications of the proposed to changes to the Mental Health Act.

The latest from the Devolved Nations

Read the latest news and blog posts from Northern Ireland.

The RCPsychiS Autumn Meeting was held via Zoom on Friday 1 October with 42 members in attendance. The main theme was the mental health of adolescents and young adults and the challenges of transition from Child and Adolescent to Adult services. We also received presentations from the 2019 and 2020 Scottish Research Prize winners.

RCPsychiS Chair, Dr Linda Findlay hosted the first three meetings of a series of virtual members meetings she has planned ahead of the annual strategy day in November to listen to any issues, concerns and current challenges Scottish members are facing, as well as updating them on what’s happening at the College at the moment.

In November, we have the Devolved Council Strategy day for the term of our new Chair, Linda Findlay. It will also see our amended events planning system finalised, with slots being booked up by faculties already. We are also seeing our Medical Psychotherapy and Old Age Faculties host a Joint Conference at end November.

Our forthcoming Core Trainee 'Higher Training – More than you think' Event aims to provide further information about specialty training, what to expect and opportunities to meet current higher trainees and TPDs. You can join us at our event on Friday 29 October via Zoom.

Read the latest news and blog posts from Wales.

Other news from around the College

The Psychiatrists' Support Service (PSS) provides free, rapid, high quality peer support by telephone to psychiatrists of all grades who may be experiencing personal or work-related difficulties.

Our service is totally confidential and delivered by trained Peer Support Psychiatrists (PSPs). Our PSPs are from diverse backgrounds and have received training in many different areas, to improve their understanding and ability to support all those who call the PSS.

As a service, we are aware that the difficulties faced by doctors vary enormously. We will support you through whatever they may be, including burnout, workplace bullying and discrimination, serious incidents, as well as coping with stress and change. Our support service manager and our PSPs will talk with you in confidence, without stigma or prejudice.

The service can be contacted by phone on 020 8618 4020 or by email at pss@rcpsych.ac.uk.

What did you think of the latest edition of RCPsych Insight? Email us your thoughts to magazine@rcpsych.ac.uk, or tweet us using the hashtag #RCPsychInsight.

In November we will host two webinars for people considering taking the next step in their psychiatric training, and for trainers hoping to support these trainees. On 4 November we will consider 'Applying to Core Training' and on 25 November 'Entering Higher Training'. These will include both practical tips and reflections from people current trainees.  

Register below:

Also watch out for the PTC’s Twitter takeover on 3 November 2021 between 7-8pm, which will encourage psychiatrists to consider key factors that influenced their career decisions.

Over the summer we launched our new and improved online learning platform, the RCPsych eLearning Hub. An evolution of our older platforms, CPD Online (CPDO) and Trainees Online (TrOn), the new site will be the home of College eLearning resources for all members.

CPDO launched first on the Hub, rebranded as CPD eLearning, while TrOn will also move to the new site this year, followed by Section 12(2) and Approved Clinician Induction and Refresher training.

Subscribers with access via their Trust or institution will also gain access this autumn in our second phase of launch. Look out for more information around this from your Trust Administrator, who will be in touch with you.