Toolkit for New Cardiology Trainees

The British Junior Cardiologists' Association (BJCA) have produced a National Cardiology Handbook aimed at core trainees. The starting point for this document is: "What we wish we'd known the day we started cardiology training."

It is intended that the contained guidance, approved by the BCS, will help core trainees avoid the common pitfalls and maximise the benefit of their training from the outset. In addition, it will provide common ground between core cardiology trainees and their trainers across the country.

A PDF version of the document is available by clicking here. In addition, Dr. Sarah Hudson, a Cardiology trainee in the Severn region, has designed an excellent logbook (click here to view/download) which you may wish to use to document your echo progression. 

Study Leave

Since the introduction of the HEE study leave reforms, feedback has consistently highlighted opacities and inequities in the system, leading to trainees missing out on vital education. Together with the Cardiology SAC, we have worked to produce a much broader list of agreed courses, including an expanded list of ‘mandatory’ courses tracked to curriculum requirements, with the intention of making your study budget much easier to access. The attached list has been circulated to all Heads of School and is now ‘live’. It is not intended to be exhaustive, further suggestions welcomed. Your feedback is vital and much appreciated to continue improve the process. Please get in touch at bjca@bcs.com with ’Study Leave’ in the subject header. By definition, this document applies ‘directly’ to trainees in England, however, the framework is also intended to assist trainees in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. 

Dr Chris Allen
President, BJCA (2020-2022)