Competition Information 2010

When considering which posts and specialties to apply for, we urge all applicants to consider carefully the likely levels of competition involved and to be prepared to be flexible about choices.

You should also think about the way that healthcare is developing in the future, as well as the competition involved in your chosen specialty and/or the deanery to which you are applying. For example, changes in demography (for example, an increasingly elderly population) and patient expectations are creating a rapid trend towards more healthcare being delivered in the community and primary care settings in the next five years. Around half of the training posts in the next few years will be in General Practice, whereas the number of posts in surgical specialties is decreasing.

ST3 Competition

ST3 level range (ST4 in Paediatrics, Emergency Medicine and Psychiatry)

Trainees in run-through programmes will proceed to the next level of training in 2010, provided they pass the appropriate assessments.

We are anticipating very high levels of competition for higher specialty training posts in those specialties running an “uncoupled” training programme (i.e. those programmes with two or three years of core training followed by an open competition for higher specialty training posts). In addition to those who are currently in their final year of core training there could be a large number of applicants in non-training posts who may be interested in competing for higher specialty training.

College and deaneries have therefore agreed to start recruitment to CT2 / ST3 posts in February 2010, at a time when deaneries will have a clearer view on the vacancies in higher specialty training.

It is best to plan on the assumption that there will be many more applicants than posts available. Potential applicants are advised to plan their applications carefully and to prepare to be flexible in the event that you may be unsuccessful in getting a place with your first choice specialty and/or deanery.

Notes

Trainees who were recruited to run-through training programmes will proceed to the next level of training in 2010, providing they pass the appropriate assessments.
Competition ratios vary by specialty and location, with some being much more competitive than others.
Doctors who are unsuccessful in securing a training post will have many opportunities to move into a service post. The NHS will need more, not fewer doctors in 2010.

Considering your options in the light of the competition

Given the intense level of competition, you should think very carefully about the specialties and locations to which you apply. Competition information from recruitment in 2009 is provided below. You can also look at information about competition ratios from recruitment in 2008, if you wish. This information is provided in the Vacancies and Competition section under Specialty Training 2008.

These figures provided do not claim to show what will happen in 2010, but offer a broad indication of which were the most and least subscribed specialties and areas in the last two recruitment years.

There is an important point to note for those considering applying for FTSTA1 posts in those specialties that are retaining run-through training. If you are successful in obtaining an FTSTA1 in those specialties, your chances of obtaining a run-through post at ST2 in 2011 will be relatively low, as there will be very few available.

Competition information from 2009

Core Medical Training competition figures

East Midlands competition figures

East of England competition figures

GP competition figures

Kent, Surrey and Sussex competition figures

London competition figures

Mersey competition figures

Neurosurgery competition figures

North Western competition figures

Northern competition figures

Northern Ireland competition figures