There are eight nominal years of paediatric training from entry into the programme until award of a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) in Paediatrics and thus entry onto the GMC Specialist Register. Progression is dependent upon a trainee gaining the competencies required (as defined in the Royal College of Paediatrics & Child Health [RCPCH] curriculum) and is assessed annually at the trainee’s ARCP (Annual Review of Competency Progression).
In addition, other opportunities for supplementing this training with experience overseas or out-of-programme may be sought (see section on OOP) and research (see academic section).
The training in paediatrics is divided into three levels. Further information about the curricula relating to each level of training is available from the RCPCH website.
The MMC have released the following guidance and bulletin on 2010 Specialty Recruitment in England
Please find attached a Quick Guide to recruitment to medical specialty training in England for 2010. Co-produced and designed with specialty trainees and trainers, the guide gives applicants information on:
Quick Guide to Medical Specialty Recruitment in 2010
2010 Recruitment Bulletin from MMC
The RCPCH have also released the following specialty guidance for paediatric applicants
RCPCH Paediatric Guidance for Applicants
Level 1 Training (ST1, ST2 and ST3)
Trainees usually enter at ST1 from the Foundation years and the vast majority are placed in training centres outside Bristol, in order to get a basic grounding in Paediatrics. The training centres for ST1 are:
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Cheltenham / Gloucester
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Bath
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Swindon
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Taunton
Following successful completion of their ST1 year, trainees will then be given the opportunity of gaining experience in some of the paediatric sub-specialties during years ST2 and ST3. The placements with sub-specialty experience are located in Bristol:
Trainees must pass Part I of the membership exam (MRCPCH) in order to progress to ST3 and they must have their membership (Part II written and clinical) before being able to progress to level 2 training.
Level 2 Training (ST4 and ST5)
Trainees gain level 2 competencies by undertaking placements in general paediatrics, neonatology and community paediatrics over a two year period, acting as a registrar or middle grade doctor, in one of the following training centres:
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Cheltenham / Gloucester
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Bath
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Swindon
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Taunton / Yeovil
Level 3 Training (ST6 and ST7)
Trainees are again given the opportunity to gain experience in sub-specialties as a registrar / middle grade. The sub-specialties are located in the Bristol hospitals (see ST2 and ST3 years). Trainees are placed for 6 month periods in each sub-specialty, usually up to a maximum of 12 months, depending upon trainee preference and demand for a particular sub-specialty. This provides training for those who wish to be general paediatricians with a special interest in a sub-specialty. Trainees who wish to train to become sub-specialists would normally do so by application to the RCPCH GRID system (see below).
Level 3 Training (ST8+)
Those training to become general paediatricians with or without a special interest will be placed in one of the District General Hospital training centres in the final year up to the point of gaining the CCT and for the 6 month grace period after CCT. During this time, the trainee will be given the opportunity of talking on a more senior role and developing interests in the non-clinical activities (usually management, clinical governance, teaching, etc), which are useful before applying for a consultant post.
Level 3 GRID Training (ST6, ST7 and ST8+)
In addition to gaining a CCT in Paediatrics, trainees may wish to gain accreditation in certain paediatric sub-specialties (for a full list of RCPCH recognised sub-specialties, see RCPCH GRID website). Many of these sub-specialty training programmes are available within the Severn Deanery, although a few require rotation to other tertiary centres within the UK. These programmes are offered to trainees nationally and most schemes encourage trainees to apply during ST5 so that they will be ready to start the sub-specialty training programme it the beginning of ST6.
See RCPCH National GRID guidance on RCPCH website
If trainees wish to apply, their application, interview and selection process will be managed nationally by the RCPCH. If candidates are successful, they will be matched to the available sub-specialty GRID rotations, in accordance with the candidates stated preference and availability. Once on a rotation, the trainee is then guaranteed the placements within the rotation that enable training towards their particular sub-specialty. Trainees will remain in the sub-specialty rotation until they are granted their CCT.
The Severn Deanery currently offers training in the following sub-specialties (note: not all sub-specialties are available every year):
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Paediatric Emergency Medicine
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Paediatric Intensive Care
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Paediatric Respiratory Medicine
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Paediatric Endocrinology (rotation with Welsh Deanery)
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Paediatric Gastroenterology (rotation with West Midlands Deanery)
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Paediatric Rheumatology (rotation with London Deanery)
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Paediatric Nephrology
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Paediatric Neurodisability (including Paediatric Neurology attachment)
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Paediatric Neurology (including adult Neurology attachment)
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Paediatric Oncology
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Neonatal Medicine
Note: it is also possible to gain sub-specialist accreditation in Community Paediatrics but this is not managed within national GRID system as there are many rotations for trainees to train locally within their Deanery.