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• Introduction to Training
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• Quick Guide to Specialty Training 2010
• The Future of Training
• Training Structure 2010
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There are two types of training programmes in specialty training:

• “Run-through” training, where your progression to the next level of training is automatic (so long as you satisfy all the competency requirements); and
• “Uncoupled” training programmes, where there are two years of core training (three in some specialties), followed by another open competition for higher training posts and progression to completion of training (provided you satisfy all the competency requirements).

In 2010, some specialties are offering “run-through” programmes, some specialties are offering “uncoupled” programmes and Trauma and Orthopaedics has both types on offer. 

 

All specialty training programmes lead eventually to a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT), which qualifies you for entry to the Specialist or GP Register held by the General Medical Council (GMC), subject to the successful attainment of required competences.

 

 

There are other job opportunities and points of entry that are not shown here, such as one-year training posts, known as Fixed Term Specialty Training Appointments (FTSTAs), and ad hoc vacancies at different stages of training.  FTSTAs are only available in run-through specialties.  They offer an opportunity to gain more experience before applying for a longer-term position.

 

The table below shows which English specialties in 2010 are offering run-through training and which are offering core training followed by open competition.

Offer of run-through training in 2010 (Specialty training years are referred to as ST1, ST2, ST3 etc.)	Offer with uncoupling in 2010 (Core training followed by open competition to higher specialty training. Core training years are referred to as CT1, CT2 etc. and higher training years are referred to as ST3, ST4 etc.)
Obstetrics and Gynaecology	Anaesthesia
Ophthalmology	Core Medical Training, leading to competitive entry to 28 medical specialties
Paediatrics and Child Health	Core Surgical Training, leading to competitive entry to nine surgical specialties
General Practice	Emergency Medicine (three years of core training)
Public Health Medicine	Psychiatry (three years of core training)
Neurosurgery
Histopathology
Chemical Pathology
Medical Microbiology/Virology
Clinical Radiology
Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery*

*In Trauma and Orthopaedics most training programmes are offered as uncoupled core training, but four deaneries are offering run-through training programmes. The deaneries offering run-through as well as core training are: Northern, West Midlands, North Western and Yorkshire and the Humber.

 

The terminology for core training is CT1, CT2 (and CT3 for psychiatry and emergency medicine), agreed with the Postgraduate Medical Education and Training Board (PMETB). 

These terms refer to one of the following approved training programmes:

• Core medical training
• Acute care common stem
• Core surgical training
• Core psychiatric training

The entry competition between core training and higher specialty training will be open to all eligible applicants (including those working in non-training posts or otherwise not on core training programmes).

 

Fixed Term Specialty Training Appointments, FTSTA1 and FTSTA2 (FTSTA3 in Paediatrics and Neurosurgery), will continue in run-through specialties to add to the opportunities for doctors to develop their training experience and improve their chances of entering later to specialty training.

 

Academic Clinical Fellowships (ACFs) offer run-through training in specialties that are normally uncoupled.  For further information visit http://www.nihrtcc.nhs.uk/

 

Notes:

• If you are offered core training in a specialty, this does not guarantee progression through to Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT).  There will be another round of open competition at the end of core training CT2 (CT3 for psychiatry and emergency medicine).
• Successful completion of an acute medicine themed acute care common stem programme will provide eligibility for training at ST3 in the medical specialties.  However, for anaesthetics, a further specialty specific CT2 will be linked to the anaesthetic themed acute care common stem CT1 and CT2.  This means that offers for this specialty will be for three years of core training.
• Core training for emergency medicine is for three years, followed by competitive entry to ST4.  Entry to training in emergency medicine is through a themed core programme within the acute care common stem, CT1 and CT2, followed by a specialty specific CT3.
• Clinical radiology level ST1 welcomes applicants from ST1, 2, 3 and CT 1, 2, 3 in acute care clinical specialties, such as medicine, surgery and paediatrics.  It is also possible to apply direct from Foundation training.

Flexibility in training – less than full-time training

 

If you are unable to train full time, you may apply for less than full-time training, provided you can show that training on a full-time basis would not be practical for you for well-founded reasons.  Well-founded reasons would include, for example disability, ill health, carer’s responsibilities, religious commitments and unique opportunities for personal or professional development. 

 

Less than full-time training shall meet the same requirements in specialty and general practice training as full-time training, except that there will be fewer hours of work per week. 

 

For further information on less than full time training please see Sections 6.47-6.57 of the Gold Guide, the Reference Guide for Postgraduate Specialty Training in the UK.