Local Academic Board

It was felt initially that Local Faculty Group integration would happen in advance of LAB integration. This philosophy was borne of a number of factors:

• Early discussion suggested little enthusiasm for LAB integration. However this discussion took place before the former Trusts merged and at a time when little discussion had taken place around clinical integration. The events surrounding the ill-conceived fit For the Future plan were still very much to the fore.

• We were, and at present still are, treated as two separate entities by KSS Deanery with respect to quality management, inspection and funding.

• Meeting just three times a year post merger would provide little visibility for the LABs.

Following discussion and consultation however the Educational Executive has taken the decision to combine the two LABs into one Trust-wide Local Academic Board from April 2010; the first new LAB meeting was on 30th April at Worthing. The reasons for early amalgamation are as follows:

• KSS Deanery has expressed a desire to combine the metrics for the two sites from 2010 or 2011. This will result in a single centre review for the Trust, a common inspection agenda for the two sites, combined finances and a single Educational contract. It seems disingenuous to have two LABs overseeing this unified process.

• Combining the LABs will promote operational efficiency and remove duplication across the sites. Specifically there will be just three LAB meetings a year (alternating between Worthing and St Richard’s on a rolling basis) and one Annual Audit and Review Document to be submitted. This frequency of meetings is felt to be acceptable given the formation of the Educational Executive.

• The Trust Board has shown enthusiasm for integration of the LABs.

• Integration of the LABs will provide clear direction for the specialty Local Faculty Groups in setting their own integration processes.

• Integration of the LABs (and subsequently the LFGs) will bring clinicians together and may act as a catalyst for clinical integration.

• A combined LAB will ensure equivalent standards and fairness across the Trust in all educational matters (as will the Educational Executive) but especially with regard to our responsibilities under the GEAR guidelines.