Speciality: Anaesthetics
The East of Scotland School of Anaesthesia provides comprehensive 3 year (Stage 1 -Core) and 4 year (Stage 2 & 3 - Specialty) Anaesthesia training programmes underpinned by the Royal College of Anaesthetists new 2021 curriculum. The East of Scotland programmes provide training in Anaesthesia, Pain Management and Intensive Care Medicine.
The experience gained by anaesthetic trainees in the East of Scotland is extensive and varied. The majority of the Stage 1 training is delivered in Ninewells Hospital & Medical School in Dundee, one of the biggest teaching hospitals in the UK. Additional DGH experience is provided in Perth Royal Infirmary. A range of day case experience is also provided at Stracathro Regional Treatment Centre. All ‘units’ of Stage 1 training are available within the Tayside School of Anaesthetics. Completion of the Initial Assessment of Competency (IAC) now badged as entrustable professional activities (EPAs 1 & 2) are usually attained within the first 3-6 months of starting anaesthetic training. The IAC is a key milestone allowing trainees to progress to additional call duties with appropriately decreasing levels of ‘in-theatre’ supervision. The initial assessment of obstetric competence (IAOC - now known as EPAs 3 & 4) is assessed in CT2. The IAOC allows progression to the on-call obstetric anaesthesia rota.
All units of Stage 2 & 3 training are delivered within Tayside with the exception of specific training in Cardiothoracic Anaesthesia (Stage 2) and some Paediatric anaesthesia (Stage 2 & 3) which is provided by rotation to the Golden Jubilee, Clydebank and Royal Hospital for Children in Edinburgh, respectively.
Specific development of sub-specialty interests either locally or by way of out-of-programme experience is supported and arranged in the final two years of training (Stage 3). Tayside has an international reputation in Regional Anaesthesia and provides specific opportunities for specialty interest areas (SIAs) as well as Intensive Care (Dual CCT programme) and Pain Medicine, with possible rotation to other centres to gain additional experience not available in Tayside. The EoS also offers a variety of subspecialty Fellowships including airway, obstetrics perioperative medicine. Fellowships normally run for 6 months but 3-month blocks can be arranged after negotiation with local training leads.
Tayside has excellent track record for local Primary and Final FRCA exam preparation. Stage 1 and 2 trainees are encouraged to attend the RCoA Scottish exam courses hosted in Perth. Ninewells Hospital and co-located Medical School has excellent facilities including simulation and surgical skills centres. An extensive range of national life support and locally run courses help to complement anaesthetic training e.g. airway and regional block teaching using TEAL cadavers. Trainees are also encouraged to attend courses at the easily accessed Scottish Clinical Simulation Centre in Forth Valley to help develop essential non-technical skills. Study leave and associated funding is actively managed to help support trainees attend courses appropriate to their stage of training.
The combination of easily accessed training resources together with an enthusiastic group of local trainers has led to extremely favourable feedback from our trainees as evidenced by the consistently high ratings for ‘overall satisfaction with the anaesthetic programmes’ in both GMC and Scottish Trainee surveys.
Additional information on all stages of anaesthesia training within the East of Scotland is available on our website at http://www.taysideanaesthesia.com
The Ninewells site hosts a Medical School and a Clinical Research Centre. The Institute of Academic Anaesthesia (IAA) has active research programmes in Anaesthesia and Pain Medicine and the use of ultrasound to complement regional anaesthesia. Supported by Professor Tim Hales, Professor Graeme McLeod, Dr Cameron Weir and an enthusiastic group of consultants, this combination provides excellent opportunities for trainees to develop their non-clinical skills in research, audit, teaching and Quality Improvement projects. All hospitals in Tayside are committed to UG medical student and PG teaching and the IAA offers Teaching Fellowships, SCREDS Lecturer, MD and PhD opportunities.
The EoS actively supports applications to the Scottish Clinical Leadership Fellowship Scheme and has benefited from local trainees working alongside NES and the Scottish Government. The scheme is a year-long, out of programme experience (OOPE) providing doctors in training an opportunity to develop themselves as potential health leaders of the future. It aims to provide NHS Scotland with doctors and dentists that have an enhanced capability to offer leadership in their workplace - potentially at national and international levels.
Where is training delivered
Training is delivered across:
Ninewells Hospital & Medical School, Dundee
Perth Royal Infirmary, Perth
Stracathro Hospital, Angus
Also (Stages 2 & 3)
Golden Jubilee National Hospital, Clydebank
Royal Hospital for Children and Young People, Edinburgh,
The East Region of Scotland Deanery is set in Tayside, a beautiful area to live and work. It has varied geography and offers diverse interests for individuals and families. There is thriving city life in the University town of Dundee and in Perth and easy access to beautiful countryside for sport and leisure in Angus, Perthshire and North Fife. The area has unique and innovative theatres, museums and sporting venues, world-renowned facilities for golf in and around St Andrews. Dundee also hosts its own Victoria and Albert Museum.
House prices are competitive and the quality of life in Tayside is excellent with very good road and rail networks to the other areas of Scotland.
Golden Jubilee National Hospital, Clydebank, Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, Perth Royal Infirmary, Raigmore Hospital, Inverness, Royal Hospital for Children and Young People, 50 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh, EH16 4SF, Stracathro Hospital, Angus
This programme involves placements in some or all of these Health Boards and hospitals:
Golden Jubilee National Hospital, Clydebank, Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, Perth Royal Infirmary, Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Edinburgh, Stracathro Hospital, Angus
| Programme Type | Deanery based or National: Deanery |
| Administration office | West of Scotland |
| Lead Dean / Director | Professor Adam Hill |
| Responsible Associate Postgraduate Dean or Assistant Director (GP) | Dr Russell Duncan |
| Specialty or Sub-specialty | Specialty or Sub-specialty: Specialty |
| Date of GMC recent approval | September 2017 |
| Associated Royal College - Faculty |
Royal College of Anaesthetists (web site) |
| Curriculum and Associated Assessment System | http://www.gmc-uk.org/education/anaesthetics.asp |
| Programme Administrator: |
Named Programme Administrator:
Kathleen Forsyth
Address: NHS Education for Scotland 3rd Floor, 2 Central Quay, 89 Hydepark Street GLASGOW G3 8BW Tel: 0141 223 1415 Email: kathleen.forsyth@nhs.scot |
| Programme Director |
Programme Director Name: Dr Cameron Weir Address: Dr Cameron Weir Consultant Anaesthetic Dept Level 6 Ninewells Hospital Dundee DD1 9SY Tel: Email: cameron.weir@nhs.scot |
| Quality of Training | Quality Management |