General Questions

Q. What are the key benefits of UKFST endorsement?

Endorsement has a multitude of benefits for individuals as well as organisations providing training and learning.

Benefits to individuals - endorsement will improve service and care for people affected by stroke and for those working in stroke care at all levels through developing transferable education and learning programmes and presenting a coordinated, strategic approach to workforce development.

Benefits to endorsed organisations - education and training will feature on the UKFST’s national stroke-specific database, searchable by potential students and attendees. Organisations can apply to endorse all their training and education - from one day sessions to events, internal workshops to postgrad courses.

Q. I’m accredited by another professional body.  Can I also apply for UKFST endorsement?

Yes, however endorsement from UKFST represents compatibility with the quality standards contained within the Stroke-Specific Education Framework. The SSEF is the only framework which advises on the knowledge, skills and competences those working with people affected by stroke should possess. Thus if your training or education activity is stroke-specific, it should be assessed in line with the SSEF. Accreditation by another professional body may be required for other purposes, but will not demonstrate the stroke specific quality of your course or be as sensitive to the needs to the multidisciplinary workforce.

Q. Why should I apply for UKFST endorsement, when I already have accreditation from another professional body?

The National Stroke Strategy identified key specialist knowledge, skills and competences that are required to ensure stroke services achieve best practise and the highest standards. These standards can only be obtained through training that meets the stroke-specific knowledge, skills and competences contained in the Stroke-Specific Education Framework (SSEF). The UKFST quality mark is an assurance that those quality standards are being met.

The UK Stroke Forum and the Stroke Association believe that increasingly specialist and endorsed stroke training will become a requirement for health professionals and others working with stroke patients.

Q. What is so important about stroke-specific training?

There is clear evidence that patients treated in a specialist stroke unit, or through a stroke specialist early supported discharge team, have better outcomes than those treated by people without that specialist knowledge and experience. Only through quality-assured, endorsed stroke-specific training can people gain the specialist competences needed to make the difference to stroke outcomes.

Stroke-specific training is also vital for other professionals working in settings where strokes may occur or where there are stroke survivors. Recognising strokes and TIA and managing stroke survivors who may have complex disabilities, for example, are key competences for those working in care and health settings or with older people. While accreditation from other bodies is important for staff in these settings, stroke training endorsed by UKFST can provide those working in these settings with the ability to make the difference in both quality of care and in the outcomes for their patients.

Q. How do I go about endorsing my course or training programme with UKFST - is there any documentation I should read first?

Yes.  Refer to the essential reading documentation which is located within the ‘My Applications’ section of our website once you have registered and signed in.

Q. How long will it take to complete the on-line application form?

It should take you around 2 hours to complete the on-line application form depending on the type of course you are applying to have endorsed.  Please note that having a good understanding of the elements of care within the SSEF (and how they relate to your course) and having read all documents in the "Essential Reading" section (once you have registered and signed in) will enable you to complete the application in less time.  It will also help if you, as the applicant, are the person with authority to make decisions on content.  You are also able to save your application at any point in the process and come back to it later to complete further sections and/or finalise your application.

Q. Is endorsement mandatory?

Endorsement is not mandatory, but it is expected by the Department of Health that organisations who offer stroke-specific education and training take up endorsement. The Department of Health, in the Public Accounts Committee Report of March 2010, outlined how it supported the work of/recognised the importance of the work of the UKFST in the statement 'There are not enough specialist staff on stroke units and the understanding of stroke by other health and social care professionals who care for people with stroke remains poor. The Department should work with the Stroke Forum to develop effective training for all hospital staff so that, for example, all patients with aphasia or physiotherapy needs receive safe and effective care'.

Q. How long does the UKFST endorsement process take?

The endorsement process will take different amounts of time for different types of application. For example, a postgraduate course will take longer to review than a on-day training session. Details of the anticipated length of time taken to review each kind of application will be provided when you submit your application. However, these are estimates only, intended as a guide, and UKFST cannot be held responsible if time taken to inform an applicant of an outcome takes longer than anticipated. UKFST will endeavour to provide applicants with the outcome of their review within the estimated timeframe.

Q. Can I get endorsement for my conference/symposium?

If you can provide all of this information, when applying for endorsement, then the application procedure is very similar as to that when applying for endorsement of a course.

Q. What are the benefits of endorsing my conference/symposium?

Endorsing your conference against the SSEF will highlight the learning value of attending and define specific learning outcomes - in the current period of increased austerity and reduced money to spend on training and professional development, endorsement is certain to promote greater attendance. Assessment against the SSEF is the only stroke-specific endorsement and marker of quality stroke focused training. Once endorsed, your conference/symposium will feature on the eyecatching UKFST website, as well as within our monthly newsletter.

Q. What if I only have a draft programme for my conference/symposium until very near the time of the event?

You can apply for endorsement with only a draft programme, however, if the final programme alters and some of the elements (or sub elements) of care change or are no longer included, you will need to notify the UKFST project team via email to ukfst@stroke.org.uk that this is the case and that you intend to revise your original application on the UKFST website. You will need to contain within this email the exact changes you will be making, and these will be sent to Reviewers to assess whether the original endorsement verdict has altered. If the review panel recommend changes, the existing process for making minor and major amendments applies (refer to document "UKFST Conference Endorsement - How to Apply" under "Essential Reading" when you sign in to the UKFST website).

Q. How much will it cost my organisation for each application for UKFST endorsement?

Again, the cost of endorsement varies for each type of application and the nature of the applying organisation. You will be informed of the cost of your application when you select ‘Course Type’ in the ‘Basic ‘Information’ section.

Q. Who determines whether my application for UKFST endorsement is successful or not?

Reviews are undertaken by a panel of at least 3 reviewers. If they agree on the result, the outcome can be communicated to an applicant straight away. If there is some disagreement between the reviewers, the UKFST Committee take into account reviewer comments and make a decision on the outcome.

Q. I understand that UKFST will issue a Quality Mark for use on course/training literature when UKFST endorsement has been granted.  What are the guidelines on Quality Mark usage?

Specific guidelines on the conditions of use of the UKFST Quality Mark can be found on the UKFST Quality Mark Guidelines page of this website. Acceptance of the Quality Mark when issued to an endorsee by the UKFST via email constitutes an agreement to abide by these guidelines in their use of the quality mark.

Q. What period of time does UKFST endorsement cover?

Endorsement is for a 3 year period, except in the case of individual events and symposiums which must be endorsed annually.

Q. Why is re-endorsement necessary?  What if my course content hasn’t changed?

Many education providers review their course content at 3 year intervals in order to make sure that the latest evidence has been acknowledged and to meet the changing requirements of clinical services. As this is the usual approach of training and education organisations, this is the approach which has been adopted by UKFST and the endorsement term will apply to all, whether their course content has changed or not.

Q. While waiting for UKFST endorsement can I indicate on literature “Endorsement Pending from the UK Forum for Stroke Training”?

No. UKFST endorsement can only be advertised once confirmation of its award has been received by the applicant, and only then by the use of the UKFST quality mark as prescribed in the guidelines mentioned above.

Q. I have seen on a training/educational provider’s literature a statement “Endorsement pending from the UK Forum for Stroke Training”.  What does this mean?

An application for endorsement does not guarantee that endorsement will be awarded. Any organisation which refers in their literature or promotional materials to a pending award risks their application being refused.

Q. I need to query my submitted application for UKFST endorsement.  Who should I contact?

The details of the UKFST Helpline can be found under the ‘Contact Us’ page of our website.

Q. If I do not agree with the outcome of a review of my application for endorsement, is there an appeal process?

Appeals must be made in writing to the chair of the UKFST Committee with clear indication of the basis for an appeal. The Committee will review the appeal and make a formal response to the organisation submitting the appeal. The review process will try to give constructive feedback to all applicants, but if the initial application is not successful, any re-application will be subject to full payment.  

Q. If I am not happy with the service provided by the UKFST who do I contact?

The UKFST Endorsement Initiative has in place a Complaints Procedure to guide those who are dissatisfied with our service. This is located within the ‘Contact Us’ section of this website.

Q. What decides whether the amendments I need to make to my application are minor or major (and require resubmission)?

Reviewers will decide when making their recommendations if the amendments they recommend are so substantial that they will need to see the amended text in order to be able to grant endorsement. These are major amendments. If amendments are such that the applicant merely needs to agree to make these, and a Reviewer does not feel they need to see the amended text again, these are therefore minor amendments.

FAQs for Reviewers

Q. Can I visit a course to see the organisation, witness it being taught and ask any questions?

No. Endorsement must only be based on the application and associated paperwork submitted to UKFST through its website. A reviewer is not permitted to contact an applicant directly at any time, to request additional information or for any other reason. A reviewer can only request further information if it relates to a specific recommendation for amendment they wish to make to the applicant.

Q. Why do I need to respond to a request to undertake a review within 48 hours?

It may take some time for the team to find three reviewers who are free to undertake a review on behalf of UKFST. By responding within 2 working days to a request to review the impact of any delay on the applicant by this process is minimised.

Q. Can I use the time I spend reviewing as study leave from my employment?

The UKFST Initiative cannot authorise such requests. Any requests about special or other leave to undertake reviews can only be granted by your employer.

Q. Can you give reimburse my employer for the time I spend undertaking reviews for UKFST?

The UKFST initiative is unable to reimburse your employer for any time you spend undertaking reviews during work hours or as special leave such as study leave. The UKFST cannot authorise any such leave. The UKFST is however able to contact your employer explaining the benefits of allowing you to be released to undertake reviews for UKFST if you request this.

Q. Can I ask another reviewer for a second opinion on my review?

No. Any application and associated documentation you accept as a reviewer is strictly confidential, and must not be shared with anyone else. You should not discuss reviews you are undertaking with a fellow reviewer or any other individual except a UKFST team or Committee member.

Q. When reviewing an application for endorsement what do I do if there is an area on the application I am unsure of?

In the first instance you should read through this list of FAQs to see if there is an answer to your query.  If not, please contact the UKFST admin team who will give further guidance.  Details of the helpline are listed under the “Contact Us” section on the website.

Q. I have accepted to review an application.  If I cannot complete the review by the set deadline what should I do?

Contact the UKFST admin team immediately.  We can offer further advice and/or guidance.  It is important to advise UKFST as soon as possible if you believe you are unable to review an application within the set timescale, as the review may need to be allocated to another reviewer.

Q. What is the difference between a “minor” and “major” alteration as an outcome for reviewing an application for endorsement?

As a reviewer you need to decide when making your recommendations if the amendments are so substantial that you will need to see the amended text in order to be able to grant endorsement. These are major amendments. If amendments are such that the applicant merely needs to agree to make these, and you do not feel you need to see the amended text again, these are minor amendments.

Q. As a Reviewer will I get the opportunity to meet regularly with other Reviewers?

UKFST will hold regular Professional Reviewer Sub-Group meetings to establish a forum for Reviewers to share their experiences and raise any issues they have.  The regularity of these meetings will be determined by UKFST taking into account Reviewers’ experiences, but it is envisaged that these will be at least bi-annual.

Q. As a Reviewer, if I recommend minor or major alternations on an application for endorsement do I always have to provide reasons for these recommendations?

Yes.  A justification to support your recommendation will ensure the applicant understands the reasons behind the recommendations and enable them to make the appropriate changes.  The UKFST wants to ensure applications for endorsement match the criteria as set out in the SSEF.  Therefore, recommendations are the opportunity for UKFST to guide the applicant as to the best approach to attain endorsement and ensure their alignment with the SSEF.

Q. As a Reviewer do I need to comment on the method of delivery as well as course content?

No.  The role of a Reviewer is to comment solely on course content in relation to the recommendations of the Stroke-Specific Education Framework (SSEF). UKFST endorsement is only an indication of quality of content and not quality of delivery.

Q. As a Reviewer if I have comments about the review process who should I contact?

If you have specific comments regarding the review process you should address these to ukfst@stroke.org.uk.  If you have a specific issue/query while carrying out a review of an application for endorsement you should contact the UKFST Helpline detailed on the “Contact Us” page on the UKFST website.

Q. Are there any benefits for being a Reviewer?

Benefit provision for Professional Reviewers takes the form of a reduced registration fee to the UK Stroke Forum Conference calculated upon contribution to reviews of applications for endorsement.  This benefit is non-transferable and must be used by the named individual.

Lay Reviewers can choose either the reduced registration fee for UKSF Conference detailed above or take the equivalent monetary value in vouchers.  Vouchers are redeemable at High Street stores UK wide.