Scottish Medical Training

The North of Scotland(NOS) training programme in Endocrinology and Diabetes is long established and consistently rated as 'excellent' in external peer reviews and trainee feedback. A comprehensive spectrum of clinical experience is provided within the NOS deanery.

Specialist training in Diabetes and Endocrinology in the North of Scotland is a 4 year programme running from ST4 to ST7 and covers all aspects of the diabetes and endocrinology curriculum including all of the sub-specialist areas necessary to successfully obtain a CCT in Diabetes & Endocrinology. Diabetes and Endocrinology is a Group 1 speciality with the program also providing concurrent training in Internal Medicine stage 2 leading to dual accreditation in Diabetes and Endocrinology and Internal Medicine.

The training programme is highly structured with the ST4 and ST5 yearly providing immersive training in more common aspects diabetes and endocrinology whilst the ST6 and ST7 years build on these areas, add training in all the required subspecialty areas and include dedicated Internal Medicine blocks.  There are excellent opportunities to gain sub-specialist training in the management of diabetic pregnancy, paediatric and adolescent diabetes, diabetic renal disease, diabetic neuropathy and foot problems, diabetic eye disease, thyroid problems, pituitary and adrenal disease, reproductive endocrinology, paediatric endocrinology, gender identity, metabolic bone disease and the endocrine aspects of cancer.  

During training, one year of speciality and internal medicine training (usually at ST6) may be undertaken in Raigmore Hospital, Inverness depending on a trainee’s preferences.

Aberdeen is a historic city with many architectural splendours.  The use of its sparkling local granite has earned Aberdeen the name of the Granite City.  Recognised as the prosperous energy capital of Europe, Aberdeen nevertheless retains its old-fashioned charm and character making it an attractive place in which to live.  The potential for leisure facilities are outstanding with skiing, hill walking, cycling, water sports and golf to name a few, with easy road access to the countryside to visit historical castles or just enjoy the beautiful scenery.  Aberdeen enjoys excellent communication services with other British and European cities – e.g. flying time to London is just over an hour with regular daily flights, road and rail links to all points north and south are excellent.

Inverness is the capital of the highlands of Scotland. It is well located with access to the remote beauty of the west coast including the Hebride islands and the far north with its Flow Country a proposed world UNESCO site. Famous for Nessy and Loch Ness, big wild glens and rare wildlife  the highlands make an ideal location for those who love to enjoy and explore the outdoors. In previous years junior doctors have taken full advantage of this sea kayaking with whales, ice climbing in the cairngorm national park and swimming in waterfalls to name a few of the many adventures that attract the outdoor minded. The airport is small but well connected within the UK.

We are a collaborative and enthusiastic unit, fully committed to excellence in training and clinical care for Endocrinology and Diabetes.

The NES Diabetes and Endocrinology programme consistently gets excellent trainee feedback and the North of Scotland programme ranked second in the UK in the GMC trainee survey for overall trainee satisfaction in 2022.

Research opportunities may be arranged with any of the supervising consultants but there are also strong links with academic colleagues in University of Aberdeen and the University of Highlands and Islands.  Many of our trainees have taken time out of programme for a period of research usually leading to the award of an MD or PhD.

There is a strong teaching focus within the department with a number of our consultants holding senior roles within the University of Aberdeen Medical School.  Trainees have taken time out of programme for Teaching Fellowships.

There is a local training programme including QI meetings, morbidity and mortality meetings, departmental teaching, journal clubs and review and discussion of session recordings from National and International meetings.  There is a National Scotland wide teaching programme which covers the curriculum and is delivered monthly.  Trainees are also encouraged to attend national training events such as the Clinical Endocrine Update meetings along with other CPD events and meetings and make use of their study leave allocation and budget.

Trainees are provided ample opportunities to lead quality improvement initiatives and become involved in departmental teaching initiatives.  

Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Aberdeen

Raigmore Hospital, Inverness

Dr Gray’s Hospital, Elgin