Immunology
Programme description
GMC Reference: TBC
What particular specialty learning opportunities has this program provided e.g. sub-specialty exposure, especially those which are not available elsewhere?
There are four centres for clinical Immunology in Scotland. The training programme is predominantly based in the two largest centres (Edinburgh and Glasgow). The training programme is designed to ensure that resident doctors have access to the full range of immunological conditions and clinical practice as outlined in the curriculum. Rotational placements to other Scottish and/or UK centres may be required to meet training needs as specified in the curriculum. Although the National Health Service is devolved in Scotland, the Scottish Training Programme is closely linked with other UK training programmes with joint training days arranged across the United Kingdom.
There is a full range of specialty clinics, day ward and laboratory activities and MDT meetings that the trainee is expected to participate in.
The four Scottish Immunology Centres are closely linked through the Scotland PID MDT forum and the Scottish Paediatric and Adolescent Allergy and Immunology Network (SPAIIN) which meets regularly and addresses a wide range of clinical and strategic issues affecting the specialty, as well as hosting the PID Genetics MDT meeting held quarterly
Immunology laboratory services are run on a regional basis with close collaborative links between the laboratories and the clinical services. Resident doctors on the Scottish programme have the opportunity to follow complex cases through the laboratory.
How do Resident Doctors access these opportunities?
Exposure to the subspecialty programmes occurs throughout training and there is increasing exposure to the more complex areas of immunology as training progresses. Assignments are made by the Educational Supervisors who are guided by the Training Programme Director and the needs of the individual resident doctors.
What opportunities are there for research, audit and teaching?
The two training centres are based in teaching hospitals with medical schools, so there is opportunity for resident doctors to develop their teaching skills in undergraduate and postgraduate teaching programmes. There is a Deanery management training programme the trainee will need to complete. Completion of an annual audit project is mandatory during training and there are plenty of opportunities for audit during training.
There are opportunities for involvement in research, small projects or full-time for either MD or PhD as out of programme research training
How do Resident Doctors access these opportunities?
These are usually in discussion with their Educational Supervisor within the training centre.
How are rotations on hospital sites organised?
Resident doctors are appointed to one training centre, either Edinburgh or Glasgow and are based there for the duration of their training. However in order to ensure exposure to the full range of immunological disorders especially primary immune deficiencies, resident doctors will attend the other centre regularly throughout the training programme (equivalent of 1 day per week arranged flexibly to meet the trainee’s educational needs). In common with resident doctors throughout the UK, some short attachments at national centres will be required eg one of the two Supra-Regional Transplant Centres for primary immune deficiency. Resident doctors will also have opportunities to gain other experiences in other centres.
Which hospitals are involved?
The primary training centres are:
- Queen Elizabeth University Hospital Glasgow
- Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh
What degree of choice is there for Resident doctors?
Resident doctors in the Scottish training programme are genuinely seen as supernumerary and therefore, within the constraints of the curriculum, have the opportunity to design a programme encompassing their particular interests which meets the needs of the curriculum in agreement with their Educational Supervisor and TPD. Ultimately, the decision rests with the TPD and the specialty training committee.
What teaching (e.g. day-release or exam preparation) or learning opportunities (e.g. e-learning, OOPE), are unique to this post?
This is a national training programme and unique training opportunities in individual training centres are available to all Scottish resident doctors, irrespective of their principal training centre if they wish to access them. The resident doctors have the opportunity to attend the national training days, which occur in conjunction with resident doctors in the whole of the United Kingdom.
There are monthly national (Scottish) clinical MDT meetings, which are delivered by MS Teams, which are available in each centre.
Resident doctors will get support to attend appropriate courses via Study Leave.
What can Resident Doctors expect of their trainers in this post?
All the consultants in Scotland are enthusiastic about training the next generation of Immunologists. Trainers are all appropriately trained to fulfil the function of clinical or educational supervisor and resident doctors can expect timely workplace based assessments and regular supervision to ensure that they get the most from the many learning opportunities available.
Resident doctors interested in pursuing a higher degree will be encouraged and supported in finding an appropriate project and funding.
What are key markers of success? (e.g. exam pass rates. MD, PhD, papers)
Resident doctors are expected to pass the Specialty specific examination in Immunology (FRCPath), which is administered by the Royal College of Pathologists, prior to obtaining their CCT. It is also expected that all resident doctors will have published at least one paper or have presented a platform presentation or a poster presentation at a conference during the time spent in programme.
What additional information would you like to include that may encourage trainees to apply for specialty training in this programme in preference to similar programmes in other parts of the UK?
The national training programme of Scotland offers an ideal training environment in a particularly beautiful part of the UK.
The size of the Scottish population and its ethnic diversity ensures resident doctors encounter the full spectrum of immunological conditions and the Training Programme Director and the Scottish Training Committee closely monitor the quality of the training programme.
Clinical Experience
The posts offer a wide range of experience in general immunology, primary immune deficiency, allergy, autoimmune and inflammatory disease, paediatric immune deficiency and allergy as well as laboratory immunology, neuroimmunology, histocompatibility and immunogenetics. The post is recognised for higher Specialist training in Immunology by the Royal College of Physicians.
As well as participating in general immunology clinics and day ward the Specialist Registrar will be attached for blocks of time to allergy, immunology laboratory, paediatric immunology & allergy, connective tissue disease & vasculitis with additional attachments to a range of linked specialties to ensure delivery of training in line with the curriculum as laid down by JRCPTB in Immunology.
Training
Resident doctors will be expected to participate in organisation and delivery of Clinical Immunology services, including appropriate participation in academic and administrative activities and complete all aspects of their training including management training. An outline of the 5 year training programme is presented below.
Year 1
Induction, Fundamental, clinical and laboratory Immunology plus Clinical Attachments which will include Allergy.
Year 2
Clinical Attachments and further clinical and laboratory Immunology in preparation for FRCPath part 1 examination.
Year 3
Continued experience in clinical immunology; clinical attachments, additional laboratory experience to include laboratory management and quality meetings and rotation to other laboratories eg Neuroimmunology Laboratory (NHSGGC), Histocompatibility & Immunogenetics, Flow Cytometry (including Haemato-oncology).
Year 4 & 5
General Immunology, Allergy and principles of clinical / laboratory management in preparation for FRCPath part II examination. Specialist supra-regional Immunology experience / attachment.
Research, audit, teaching and management opportunities
The two training centres are based in teaching hospitals with medical schools, so there is opportunity for trainees to develop their teaching skills in undergraduate and postgraduate teaching programmes. There is a Deanery management training programme the trainee will need to complete. Completion of an annual audit project is mandatory during training and there are plenty of opportunities for audit during training.
Where the training is delivered?
- Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh
- The Queen Elizabeth University Hospital Glasgow
Contacts and useful links
Information |
|
| Programme type (Deanery or National): | Deanery |
| Administration office: | National |
| Lead Dean / Director: | Professor Adam Hill |
| Responsible Associate Postgraduate Dean or Assistant Director (GP): | Dr Marie Freel |
| Specialty or Sub-specialty: | Specialty |
| Date of GMC recent approval: | Feb 2025 |
| Associated Royal College - Faculty: |
Joint Royal Colleges of Physicians Training Board |
| Curriculum and associated assessment system: | https://www.jrcptb.org.uk/sites/default/files/2015%20Immunology%20Curriculum%20150419.pdf |
| Programme administrator: |
Name:
Sarah McNeil
Address: NHS Education for Scotland, 2 Central Quay, 89 Hydepark Street, Glasgow. G3 8BW Email: sarah.mcneil@nhs.scot |
| Programme director(s): |
Name:
Dr Charu Chopra Tel: 0131 242 7521 Email: Charu.Chopra@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk |
| Quality of training: | Quality Management |
This page was last updated on: 10.12.2025 at 10.28