Speciality: Core Anaesthetics
The South East Scotland anaesthetic programme is the second largest programme in Scotland, with around 120 trainees across the seven years of training. Within South East Scotland, we can deliver all the requirements of the RCOA 2021 curriculum across a breadth of teaching and district general hospitals, tertiary units, and national services.
Stage 1 anaesthetics training is a 3-year programme leading to the Stage 1 Training certificate award, which must be achieved to be eligible for entry to Specialist Training. There are currently 37 Anaesthetists in Training (AiTs) within the Core Anaesthetic Programme, with approximately 11 posts available annually through the Scottish National Recruitment process. The competitive process occurs in January during round one of national recruitment administrated by the Anaesthetic National Recruitment Office (ANRO).
Stage 1 AiTs will rotate through most regional hospitals during their three years. The first placement will be six months of anaesthetics. During that time, AiTs will gain the knowledge and skills to anaesthetise straightforward cases with a supervisor within the hospital for queries or to provide prompt assistance. When this level of competence has been achieved, AiTs are awarded an Initial Assessment of Competence (IAC) and begin working on the out-of-hours rota. In the second half of an AiT’s first year, they will undertake two three-month anaesthesia and intensive care training placements. Intensive Care Training is delivered in one of the FICM-accredited units in the Western General, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh or Victoria Hospitals.
In year two, AiTs will expand their anaesthetic practice experience and receive obstetric anaesthesia training. By the end of this year, AiTs are required to gain the Initial Assessment of Competence in Obstetric Anaesthesia (IACOA).
During the final year of the core programme, AiTs will rotate through a two-month placement in obstetric anaesthesia, one month of paediatrics anaesthesia, three months of Intensive Care, and six months of Anaesthetics. By the end of Stage 1 training, trainees must have completed the full Primary FRCA exam and gained their Stage 1 Training Certificate to be eligible for application to ST4.
Successful candidates can indicate South East Scotland as a preferred region during recruitment. Once all appointments have been made, successful candidates will be allocated their placements for the first year.
Audit and quality improvement opportunities are available in each department in the region, with designated leads overseeing the work. Several consultants are trained Scottish Improvement Leaders who can support QI work. The region also has a trainee network, SQuARes NET, to provide training and support for QI work and promote collaborative work on QI projects.
The academic department of the University of Edinburgh offers several opportunities for in- and out-of-programme research. Professor Tim Walsh can provide more information about these.
There are well established training courses within the region that help with preparation for the Primary FRCA. CT1s are granted a half day of study leave per week to attend the courses which cover the basic sciences for the exam. Trainees who are successful in the MCQ/SBA can then participate in the regional OSCE/VIVA course in preparation for these components of the Primary FRCA. South East Scotland regularly has had one of the highest pass rates in the UK.
The RCOA 2021 curriculum strongly emphasises simulation as part of the IAC and IACOA. Within the region, many simulation experts have developed regional training courses to support novice AiT’s acquisition of knowledge and skills. These are in addition to local teaching, which includes CBD sessions, journal clubs, M+Ms, and departmental updates.
Forth Valley Royal Hospital - FVRH, Royal Hospital for Children and Young People, 50 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh, EH16 4SF, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, St Johns Hospital, Livingston, Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, Borders General Hospital, Melrose
Where is training delivered?
Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh
Royal Hospital for Children and Young People, Edinburgh
Western General Hospital Edinburgh
St John’s Hospital, Livingston,
Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy
Queen Margaret Hospital, Dunfermline
Borders General Hospital, Melrose
Forth Valley Royal Hospital, Larbert
| Programme Type | Deanery based or National: Deanery |
| Administration office | South-East of Scotland |
| Lead Dean / Director | Professor Adam Hill |
| Responsible Associate Postgraduate Dean or Assistant Director (GP) | Dr Graeme McAlpine |
| Specialty or Sub-specialty | Specialty or Sub-specialty: Specialty |
| Date of GMC recent approval | October 2024 |
| Associated Royal College - Faculty |
Royal College of Anaesthetists (web site) |
| Curriculum and Associated Assessment System | |
| Programme Administrator: |
Named Programme Administrator:
Nicola Caughey
Address: NHS Education for Scotland 2 Central Quay 89 Hydepark Street Glasgow G3 8BW Tel: Email: nicola.caughey@nhs.scot |
| Programme Director |
Programme Director Name: Dr Oliver Daly Address: Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, 51 Little France Crescent, Old Dalkeith Road, Edinburgh, EH16 4SA. Tel: Email: oliver.daly@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk |
| Quality of Training | Quality Management |