The Wales Deanery launched its Innovations process in early Summer 2011 to encourage, recognise and reward innovation and new developments in the delivery, management and support of postgraduate education and training. Anyone with an involvement in postgraduate medical and dental education and training, including trainers, trainees, STC Chairs, Programme Directors, postgraduate centre and library staff, are therefore invited to submit details of their innovations to the Deanery's Quality Unit.

What is innovation and why is it necessary?

Innovation involves creating a new or significantly improved service, method or product that is high quality, cost effective and workable. Most importantly, it must make a positive difference to postgraduate medical and dental education and training.

Innovation will be essential if the Deanery and Local Education Providers are to rise to the challenge of meeting the GMC's 'Generic Standards for Training' and raise the profile of postgraduate medical training in Wales to increase its attractiveness as a graduate destination. Innovative working will also be fundamental in the current economic climate in order to identify cost effective and smart ways of delivering, managing and supporting training.

How can innovations be submitted for commendation?

Individuals can self nominate their innovation against one of four categories (Product, Process, Marketing or Organisational) by completing an 'Innovation Submission' form which can be accessed by clicking here and submitting it to the Deanery's Quality Unit for review and assessment.

Innovations may also be identified by the Quality Unit via its Quality Management Framework e.g. whilst undertaking a Commissioning Visit to a Health Board.

How will innovation be recognised?

The Deanery will promote innovations across NHS Wales using a variety of mechanisms (e.g. newsletters, web pages, digital screens in Postgraduate Centres, Commissioning Meetings) in order to share good practice and raise the profile of services both locally and nationally. Health Boards/Trusts are also encouraged to communicate innovations via education newsletters, Health Board/Trust web pages and at national events and meetings (e.g. Postgraduate Centre Managers' Meetings).

What innovations have been submitted to date?

The Deanery wishes to commend the wide range of innovations received to date. Please click on the links below to view details of these innovations:

Promotion of the GMC's National Training Surveys

Outdoor Leadership and Learn Training

Provision of Training in Radiotherapy Planning

The E-Portfolio Buddy System

Introduction of 'Give Us A Presentation'

PACES Teaching Programme

'Get Yourself Published'

Bristol-Cardiff-Peninsula Registrar Training Day

Peer Observation of Teaching Session (POTS) - Record Form

Electronic Case Based Discussion (eCBD)

Studiocode Video Movement Analysis Software

Further Information

Further information on submitting innovations and how the Deanery will recognise them is provided in a guidance booklet which can be accessed by clicking here. Alternatively, additional information and hard copies of the guidance booklet and submission form can be requested from the Quality Unit via Wales Deanery QA or (029) 2068 7491.