As reported by the British Medical Association, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists has announced a package of support and reimbursement for impacted candidates
On Tuesday 13 September, it was announced that the RCOG part one exam due to take place in UK exam centres on Monday 19 September had been postponed, affecting 77 UK candidates. The BMA has been in close contact with the RCOG to seek possible alternatives to the current situation that will help minimise the disruption for those doctors due to take the examination in the UK.
Pearson VUE have extended the guaranteed spaces in Europe to RCOG candidates until the end of Friday 16 September
RCOG have offered all candidates travelling to an overseas centre up to £300 reimbursement of travel and accommodation costs
RCOG have offered any candidates who have not been able to recoup booked travel expenses to attend the now cancelled examination on Monday, to refund these expenses up to the value of £300. All impacted candidates will also be gifted a free place on the December 2022 part one revision course ahead of their rescheduled exam.
The BMA welcomes the reimbursement package, which is a positive step by RCOG. But, we call on RCOG to go further by reimbursing all reasonable travel and accommodation expenses for candidates travelling to take the exam at an international centre and covering exam entry fees for all impacted candidates, whether they take the examination on Monday at a non-UK location or on the rescheduled date in January.
The postponement of the UK-based examination is a huge blow for these doctors who have invested large amounts of time and energy preparing, putting lives and family on hold. The BMA recognises that the number of candidates who will be able to take up a short notice place at an international centre will be limited. Those who cannot take up this offer now face a 4-month wait for the rescheduled exam in January. The BMA continues to call on RCOG to do everything possible to deliver a supplementary sitting for affected candidates at the earliest opportunity.
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1. Seqirus Data on File, August 2023. SREF–17994. 2. Adjuvanted Trivalent Influenza Vaccine (surface antigen, inactivated)▼ Summary of Product Characteristics. 3. Cell-based Trivalent Influenza Vaccine (surface antigen, inactivated)▼ Summary of Product Characteristics.
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