Speciality: Core Psychiatry Training (CPT)
The South East Scotland region of the Scottish Deanery encompasses a wide geographical area, offering over 50 placements in three Health Boards – NHS Lothian (which includes the city of Edinburgh along with East, Mid and West Lothian), NHS Borders and NHS Fife. The programme provides a diverse and enriching training experience, offering access to a broad range of psychiatric sub-specialties. This is complemented by supervision and support from an enthusiastic group of trainers, including a Psychiatric Supervisor for each placement and an Educational Supervisor for the entirety of Core Training.
Core Psychiatric Training is a 36-month WTE programme, designed to equip Postgraduate Doctor in Training (PDiT) with the Key Capabilities required for application to Higher Specialist Training. PGiTs will rotate through different posts every 6 month, although longer (12-month) placements may be arranged for certain General Adult Psychiatry posts. It is expected that trainees will work in two or more Health Boards/hospitals during Core Training to gain a diverse range of experience. Generally, the first year will be spent in a single hospital, with subsequent rotations to other sites in the second and third years of training, based on the preferences of the PDiTs and aligned with the requirements of the training programme and healthcare services.
PDiTs will complete a minimum of 12 months in General Adult Psychiatry, 6 months in Old Age Psychiatry, and 6 months in either Child & Adolescent Psychiatry or Psychiatry of Intellectual Disability. Remaining placements may include Addictions, Eating Disorders, Forensic Psychiatry, Liaison Psychiatry, Perinatal Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, or Rehabilitation Psychiatry, depending on the PDiTs' requirements and/or preferences.
The region consistently achieves high pass rates for the MRCPsych written and CASC examinations. PDiTs are required to attend the half-day Psychiatry Curriculum Course at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital in preparation for their Royal College examinations and for developing their psychiatric skills. Study Leave is utilised for this. Additionally, Clinical Skills Training is provided on Wednesday afternoons.
In the first year of Core Training, PDiTs will attend the Balint Group on Wednesday afternoons and later, the CBT Foundation Course at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital. Following this, PDiTs will complete two cases - a Long case and a Short case - in different psychotherapeutic modalities over the remaining period of their training to achieve their Psychotherapy capabilities.
Additionally, each health board offers its own teaching programme, providing PDiTs with the opportunity to deliver Case Presentations and Journal Club presentations.
RCPsych has established an ARCP requirement for PDiTs to complete one Audit/QI Project each academic year. Support is available from respective Psychiatric Supervisors and local QI department for planning and completion of these projects.
The region hosts medical and nursing students from the Universities of Edinburgh, St. Andrews and Dundee, which provides Psychiatry PDiTs plentiful opportunities for informal and formal teaching. The PULSE (Postgraduate and Undergraduate Learning in the South East) programme provides PDiTs the opportunity to develop teaching skills in a variety of setting and gain accreditation with SEFCE (South East Faculty of Clinical Educators).
While participation in research is not a requirement during the Core Training period, there are ample opportunities for doctors to get involved in research projects. There is a designated Core Training post that includes four dedicated research sessions. This post is well supported by the world-class academic department in Edinburgh, which has strong links to the University of Edinburgh. The aim of this arrangement is to lead to the production of a published piece of research.
PDiTs also receive exceptional academic support, with many successfully transitioning to Academic Psychiatry pathways after completing their Core Training.
There are opportunities for management experience by participation in various local, regional, and national forums. We encourage doctors to seek election to the RCPsych’s Psychiatrists' Training Committee (PTC) and to consider roles within the British Medical Association (BMA), among others.
Midlothian Community Hospital, Bonnyrigg, Queen Margaret Hospital, Dunfermline, East Lothian Community Hospital, Royal Hospital for Children and Young People, 50 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh, EH16 4SF, Royal Edinburgh Hospital, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, St Johns Hospital, Livingston, Stratheden Hospital, Lynebank Hospital, Dunfermline, Whytemans Brae Hospital, Kirkcaldy , Huntleyburn House, Melrose
Royal Edinburgh Hospital
Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Edinburgh
Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh
Midlothian Community Hospital
East Lothian Community Hospital
St John's Hospital at Howden
Queen Margaret Hospital, Dunfermline
Whyteman's Brae Hospital, Kirkcaldy
Stratheden Hospital, Cupar
Huntleyburn House, Melrose
| Programme Type | Deanery based or National: Deanery |
| Administration office | South-East of Scotland |
| Lead Dean / Director | Dr Nitin Gambhir ,Dr Greg Jones |
| Responsible Associate Postgraduate Dean or Assistant Director (GP) | Dr Norman Nuttall |
| Specialty or Sub-specialty | Specialty or Sub-specialty: Specialty |
| Date of GMC recent approval | October 2024 |
| Associated Royal College - Faculty |
Royal College of Psychiatrists (web site) |
| Curriculum and Associated Assessment System | https://www.gmc-uk.org/education/standards-guidance-and-curricula/curricula/core-psychiatry |
| Programme Administrator: |
Named Programme Administrator:
Fiona Brown
Address: NHS Education for Scotland, Forest Grove House, Foresterhill Road, AB25 2ZP Tel: Email: fiona.brown14@nhs.scot |
| Programme Director |
Programme Director Name: Dr Pujit Gandhi Address: Dr Pujit Gandhi - Stratheden Hospital, Cupar, Fife. Medical Education Secretary: Stacey Knox. Phone number: 0131 537 6407 Email: stacey.knox@nhs.scot Tel: Dr Gandhi: 01334 696356 Email: Pujit.Gandhi@nhs.scot |
| Quality of Training | Quality Management |