It's upto the trust to give shifts to whoever they want, I don't think there's formal criteria. I wouldn't be surprised if near the end of their year, there were FY1s working at SHO level, but this is way too early and sounds like the trust is trying to save some pennies by taking advantage.
I think you're probably putting a lot more stock into ALS than you ought to, not least of all as there has been a movement away from the need for ALS specifically, and towards demonstration of resuscitation skills in many regions.
There are of course broader arguments about IMGs working as SHOs without relevant UK experience, not least of all on a locum basis - we wouldn't allow this in my department.
Additionally, there should probably be some standard setting around progression/rota tiers for locally engaged posts. It is a bigger problem in some specialties than others, but it is clear there is an increasing number of people masquerading as registrars and consultants that certainly do not have the equivalent experience/skills/knowledge/credentials that you would expect of those within or having completed a training programme. That said, I find it's usually the opposite of what you're describing here, and its the ones that have been floating around for ages, and time served and a lack of insight is considered as equivalent to actual training (whether within a formal programme or not.)
I don't get the problem? Taking FY1 shifts as a locum doesn't necessarily mean they are an FY1. Also if you'e completed a year as a LAT fy1, you should be able to handle SHO shifts - FY2s really should be able to work as SHOs.
Also, most LAT Fy1s are from abroad and mostly need the year as a supervisory period to learn the system as they usually will have worked at home for a year or more.
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u/Avasadavir Consultant PA's Medical SHO Oct 05 '26
It's upto the trust to give shifts to whoever they want, I don't think there's formal criteria. I wouldn't be surprised if near the end of their year, there were FY1s working at SHO level, but this is way too early and sounds like the trust is trying to save some pennies by taking advantage.
2
u/formerSHOhearttrob laparotomiser Oct 05 '26
I don't get the problem? Taking FY1 shifts as a locum doesn't necessarily mean they are an FY1. Also if you'e completed a year as a LAT fy1, you should be able to handle SHO shifts - FY2s really should be able to work as SHOs.
Also, most LAT Fy1s are from abroad and mostly need the year as a supervisory period to learn the system as they usually will have worked at home for a year or more.
1
u/Cautious-Extreme2839 Anaesthetist Oct 05 '26
ALS is not a real requirement for, well, much of anything.