Paediatrics

Programme description

GMC Reference: WOS/SRT/490

The West of Scotland paediatric training programme offers excellent training opportunities in general paediatrics and virtually all paediatric subspecialties within regional centres and large DGH placements. 

The typical individual rotation starts with two years based in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde trust working in General Paediatrics, Emergency Medicine and Level 3 Neonatal Units. The next 2 years ensure that all Resident Doctors obtain core level 1 and Tier 2 experience in General Paediatrics, Neonatal Medicine, Community Child Health and Paediatric Intensive Care. These posts are based in both tertiary and district general units.

The post-core 3 years are tailored to take into account individual Resident Doctor pathways. This may involve further DGH placements combined with tertiary subspecialty training in order to complete training in General Paediatrics with, or without,  a subspecialty interest. Alternatively, it may involve dedicated subspecialty training in an RCPCH-approved subspecialty training programme. Recruitment to subspecialty training is through the RCPCH UK subspecialty appointments process. The West of Scotland programme delivers the full range of subspecialty training and offers a number of grid programmes each year. https://www.rcpch.ac.uk/education-careers/apply-paediatrics/sub-specialty-training

We currently have grid training programmes in all of the following subspecialties: Neonatology, Gastroenterology (rotational), Emergency Medicine, Paediatric Intensive Care Medicine, Paediatric Metabolic Medicine, Immunology and Infectious diseases, Paediatric Palliative Care Medicine, Paediatric Respiratory Medicine, Nephrology, Endocrinology & Diabetes, Neurology, Oncology, Neurodisability, Rheumatology and Community Child Health. Subspecialty training in Neonatology, Respiratory Medicine, Gastroenterology and Rheumatology also involve rotational programmes within Scotland and in English centres where required. In addition, level three General Paediatric Resident Doctors may undertake SPIN modules in all available subspecialities.

Research, audit, teaching and management opportunities

The programme offers a number of opportunities for academic Resident Doctors. There are Academic placements with an educational focus in support of the St3/4 regional teaching programme. 

New programme entrants at ST1 and ST2 level can apply for entry to the GATE programme (Glasgow Academic Training Environment). GATE aims to foster academic development & training beyond academic FY, through Core Training / ST1 & 2 and across a broad range of specialties, to prepare Resident Doctors for subsequent application to competitive local and national research training programmes (e.g. MRC, Welcome Trust, BHF etc). GATE provides academic mentorship to facilitate attainment of academic objectives that are additional to the requisite competencies required of Resident Doctors.

This programme is designed to help potential future academic Resident Doctors to develop their academic training alongside clinical training in the early years of the programme. GATE is intended to act a bridge between an academic foundation programme and a Clinical Lecturer post. However, applicants for the GATE programme are not required to have completed an academic foundation programme.

The programme has a strong record of supporting out-of-programme opportunities. This can be to undertake research leading to a higher degree or to undertake training in overseas centres. 

There are ample opportunities for teaching within the programme both within local units and as part of wider regional and national teaching days.

In addition , Resident Doctors will mentor undergraduate students during their RHC second on work.

This represents a snapshot of the many opportunities and training pathways available in the West of Scotland. Please get in touch via the details below if you require to talk through any questions or plans you may have. 

 

Where the training is delivered?

• Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary
• The Queen Elizabeth University Hospital Glasgow
• The Royal Hospital for Children Glasgow
• Royal Alexandra Hospital, Paisley
• University Hospital Crosshouse, Kilmarnock, Ayrshire
• University Hospital Wishaw
• Forth Valley Royal Hospital - FVRH

 

 

 

 

Contacts and useful links

Information
Programme type (Deanery or National):	Deanery
Administration office:	West
Lead Dean / Director:	Professor Alan Denison
Responsible Associate Postgraduate Dean or Assistant Director (GP):	Dr Chris Lilley
Specialty or Sub-specialty:	Specialty
Date of GMC recent approval:	Aug 2010
Associated Royal College - Faculty:	Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health
Curriculum and associated assessment system:	https://www.gmc-uk.org/education/standards-guidance-and-curricula/curricula/paediatrics-curriculum
Programme administrator:	Name: Sonia McInness Address: NHS Education for Scotland Email: sonia.mcinnes@nhs.scot
Programme director(s):	Name: Dr Ihab Shaheen or Dr Jennifer Scarth Email: Ihab.Shaheen@nhs.scot or jennifer.scarth@nhs.scot
Quality of training:	Quality Management

How to apply

This page was last updated on: 15.10.2025 at 10.19