In early March, our Learning Centre at CRH hosted the Practical Assessment of Clinical Examination Skills (PACES) which is the third part of the MRCP UK examination. The MRCP UK diploma is essential for all physicians who train in a medical specialty in the UK, this part is a clinical examination where examination diagnostic and communication skills are tested.

The Federation of Royal Colleges of Physicians (Edinburgh, Glasgow and London) are reliant on hospitals allowing access to their education facilities for the examination, and it's an important part of resident doctor training.

Vice-President (Medical) of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, Dr Richard Hull, said: "It was a pleasure to visit CHFT’s new Learning Centre for hosting this important Postgraduate PACES Examination. It felt as though you had been running it for years! The team was highly efficient and effective and the feedback from the candidates was excellent, well done to all."

Following the examination, Dr Hull, wrote to CHFT, saying: "Although this was the first time the examination has been held in Calderdale and Huddersfield, Dr Julie Kyaw -Tun and Dr Beatrix Langara with the help of Dr Abhijit Chakraborty, ran an excellent examination as though they were an already established centre. They were ably supported by other consultants (including your Director of Medical Education, Dr Adris Razaq, resident doctors, nursing and support staff. The team work was excellent.

"The whole two days were a great success and Calderdale and Huddersfield should be proud. 

"As part of the examination, the candidates are briefed and debriefed. The feedback from them immediately after the examination was that they had been given the best possible environment to perform."

Medical Education Manager, Becky Colwill, said: "We are absolutely delighted to have successfully hosted our first PACES examinations for the Royal Colleges in our new Learning Centre. This was a fantastic opportunity to showcase our facilities and the high-quality environment we can offer for such important professional examinations.

"Feedback from both Colleges and candidates has exceeded our expectations, with all commenting on the suitability of the centre and the supportive setting it provided. The weekend was a huge success, and I would like to thank those colleagues who gave up their weekend to support and to personally thank to Dr Langara, Dr Kyaw-Tun, Dr Chakraborty and Caren Reid, whose pivotal support and commitment were instrumental in enabling us to deliver this event.

"We very much look forward to welcoming the Colleges back later in the year for future examinations."