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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 2011, some specialties are offering “run-through” programmes and some specialties are offering “uncoupled” programmes. 

 

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 2011 are offering run-through training and which are offering core training followed by open competition.

Offer of run-through training in 2011 (Specialty training years are referred to as ST1, ST2, ST3 etc.)	Offer with uncoupling in 2011 (Core training followed by open competition to higher specialty training. Core training years are referred to as CT1, CT2, CT3 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 medical specialties
Paediatrics and Child Health	Core Surgical Training, leading to competitive entry to surgical specialties
General Practice	Emergency Medicine (three years of core training)
Public Health Medicine	Core Psychiatry Training (three years of core training), leading to competitive entry to psychiatric specialties
Neurosurgery
Histopathology
Chemical Pathology
Medical Microbiology/Virology
Clinical Radiology
Academic Clinical Fellowship (ADF)

 

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).
• Acute Care Common Stem (ACCS) core training is now three years for all themes.

a) For Anaesthesia, a further specialty specific CT2 will be linked to the Anaesthetic themed ACCS

b)  For Acute Medicine a further year of core medical training CT2 (CMT) will be linked to the Acute Medicine themed ACCS

c) For Emergency Medicine, a further specialty specific CT3 will be linked to the Emergency Medicine themed ACCS. 

• 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.