Advice for applicants to specialty training in 2008
21 December 2007
Following JDC and survey results of members’ opinions, the BMA lobbied and secured agreement for there to be no restriction to applications to specialty training in 2008. It is important to note that this may have a ‘crowding effect’ on interviews. This means that the small percentage of outstanding candidates may initially take up the majority of interviews. However as posts are filled, a wider pool of applicants may be called to interview.
In addition, with a local recruitment process there is no central co-ordination of interviews and so interview clashes are inevitable. The BMA has insisted that Deaneries publish recruitment timetables in advance and some Deaneries have already done this (see webpage links below). In addition, the BMA has raised this issue at the Programme Board and demanded that Deaneries should be flexible if any clashes arise. If you have problems with clashing interviews please email info.jdc@bma.org.uk. We will record the intensity of the problem and discuss it with Deaneries individually and on a national level.
If applying, please ensure you:
- Read the appropriate Applicant’s Guide thoroughly;
- check the appropriate MMC/Deanery/health department website regularly;
- where possible, sign up via the MMC website to their email alerts and newsletters from the MMC communications team;
- read and understand all person specifications – please note there will be changes to all eligibility criteria at ST1 and ST2 levels for 2008.
If applying to posts in more than one country/ deanery/specialty please ensure you are fully aware of the different application processes and timetables.
Length of appointment
The length of appointment in 2008 for ST1 and ST2 posts will vary depending on country of application in Medicine, Surgery, Anaesthetics and Psychiatry. This is because different countries have taken different views about whether ‘de-coupling’ is appropriate. It is important therefore to be aware of the variety of posts being offered. If in doubt, please contact either askBMA or the Deanery to which you are applying.
FTSTA posts (England and Wales)
In England, the BMA has secured confirmation that in 2008 the eligibility limits for ST1 applications are to be “12 months or less experience in the specialty, not including Foundation modules, by August 2008”. This means that if you have only 12 months experience in a specialty by August 2008, you are eligible to apply for ST1 or ST2 posts in that specialty (as long as you satisfy all other eligibility criteria).
Applicants must be aware of the implications of accepting a FTSTA post in the specialties that have decided to offer Run-through Training (RTT). Current indications are that there will be very limited, if any, opportunities to enter RTT at the ST2 level and above in future years. These specialties are –
Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Ophthalmology
Paediatrics and Child Health
General Practice
Public Health Medicine
Neurosurgery
Histopathology
Chemical Pathology
Medical Microbiology
Clinical Radiology
In England and Wales some specialties have made the decision to de-couple in 2008. Applicants in FTSTA posts in these specialties should be aware that this means that there will be open application in 2010 (and beyond) at ST3 level. Therefore, those who have gained ST1 and ST2 competencies will be eligible to openly apply for ST3 posts in 2010. These specialties are –
General Medicine
Anaesthesia
Psychiatry
Occupational Medicine
Emergency Medicine
Cardiothoracic surgery
General surgery
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Otolaryngology (ENT)
Paediatric surgery
Plastic surgery
Trauma and orthopaedic surgery
Urology