EMERGENCY MEDICINE TRAINEES' ASSOCIATION
Better Training. Better Care.
What is EMTA?
The Emergency Medicine Trainees' Association (EMTA) exists to facilitate dialogue between Emergency Medicine (EM) trainees and the Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM) to improve the quality and equity of training and working conditions.
EMTA was established by a group of EM trainees in 2012 to provide a focused and collective voice. Initially a relatively informal group, EMTA has grown in structure, organisation and recognition, becoming increasingly integrated into RCEM and represented on RCEM committees.
The EMTA Committee is made of EM trainees from around the country who take up positions on the RCEM Training Standards Committee (TSC), Education & Exams Committees, Quality in Emergency Care Committee (QECC), Academy of Royal Colleges Trainee Doctors Group (ATDG) and numerous Special Interest Groups (SIGs) and Working Groups. By representing the opinions and experiences of EM trainees to these committees, EMTA members play an active role in developing national policy and strategy to improve EM training. By delivering the highest standard of training, we will also improve the quality of care we deliver.
Our values and aims are formally set out in our statement of "Purpose, Vision and Values".
Our Terms of Reference ensure that while EMTA is integrated into RCEM, we maintain our independence, which allows us to remain credible advocates for EM trainees.
EMTA committee meeting July 2023 - RCEM Octavia House
How we represent you
There are about 1850 EM trainees in the UK. All EM trainees who are members of the RCEM are automatically considered members of EMTA.
To represent you, your views and your experiences, we need to hear you. We do this via an annual EMTA Survey. We also encourage you to speak to us directly with any issues or concerns, via Tell EMTA, email or social media.
The EMTA Committee meets quarterly to review progress and set shared goals based on your feedback.
EMTA success stories
You said ...
We did ...
You needed more protected time off the shop floor to engage with portfolio, projects and CPD
We advocated for EDT time to be increased to 20% of working time and monitor for compliance
You said ...
We did ...
The final QIP exam was a poor way of developing and assessing QI skills
Lobbied for the abolition of the exam and transition to skill development and assessment through ARCP panels
You said ...
We did ...
Staffing and rota issues were contributing to burnout and unsafe working practices
Developed the Rest and Rota charter to improve well-being and safety, with over 50 Emergency Departments signed up
You said ...
We did ...
FRCEM membership fees starting immediately after passing FRCEM caused unfair financial burden
Lobbied for FRCEM membership fees to be introduced after CCT instead of after passing FRCEM examination
You said ...
We did ...
Failures with exam processes were unacceptable, hindered progression and caused distress to trainees
Ongoing. EMTA are collating data to present to Exam committees and presenting the trainee point of view re communication and process
You said ...
We did ...
EMTA and RCEM were not representative of all EM trainees
Comparing makeup of EMTA against trainees we represent. Created more EMTA positions including EDI and devolved nations reps.
You said ...
You wanted conferences targeted to training and curriculum requirements
We did ...
Annual EMTA conferences since 2014 addressing specific curriculum criteria, SLOs, practical, leadership and QI skills
You said ...
We did ...
It was unfair that RCEM charged subscription fees to trainees on parental leave
Campaigned for subscription fees to be waived for new parents. This became RCEM policy of 8th June 2023