Scottish Medical Training

There are four centres for Clinical Genetics in Scotland but only three of these centres have training posts: Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow and Western General Hospital in Edinburgh. Registrars are appointed to one of the three training centres and stay there for the duration of their training but, if they wish, have opportunities to gain experience in other centres.

Whilst some of the Scottish Genetic Centres are smaller than their English counterparts, the training programme is designed to ensure that registrars have access to a wide range of genetic conditions and clinical practice. Although the National Health Service is devolved in Scotland, the Scottish Training Programme is closely linked with other UK training programmes and registrars participate in the fortnightly national virtual teaching programme for clinical genetics registrars. The ARCPs and PYRs are arranged jointly with Northern and Yorkshire and Humber deaneries. Previous registrars from the Scottish programme are currently working as Consultants in Scotland, other parts of the UK and also outside the UK.

There is a full range of subspecialty clinics, joint specialty clinics and MDT meetings that the registrar is expected to participate in e.g., Cancer genetics, Neuromuscular genetics, Cardiac genetics, Craniofacial genetics, Skeletal dysplasia, Fetal pathology and Fetal medicine, Pre-implantation Genetic Testing, Disorders of Sexual Development, Endocrine genetics and Ophthalmic genetics as well as single disease clinics (Marfan syndrome, Tuberous Sclerosis and Neurofibromatosis).  MDT working is strongly encouraged in Scotland.

The four Scottish Genetic Centres are closely linked through the Scottish Clinical Genetics Forum, which meets twice yearly and addresses a wide range of clinical and strategic issues affecting the specialty.

Genetic laboratory services are run on a nationally funded consortium model and there are very close links between the laboratories and the clinical services with regular MDT working. Doctors in training on the Scottish programme have the opportunity to follow complex cases through the laboratory. 

Exposure to the subspecialty programmes occurs throughout training and there is increasing exposure to the more complex areas of clinical genetics as training progresses.  Assignments are made by the Educational Supervisors who are guided by the curriculum and the needs of the individual doctors in training. Registrars will get support to attend appropriate courses via Study Leave.

The three training centres are based in teaching hospitals with medical schools, so there is ample opportunity for trainees to develop their teaching skills in undergraduate and postgraduate teaching programmes. There are opportunities for involvement in research, small projects or full-time for either MD or PhD as out of programme research training. Registrars interested in pursuing a higher degree will be encouraged and supported in finding an appropriate project and funding.

All the consultants in Scotland are aware that having a registrar is a privilege rather than a right and are enthusiastic about training the next generation of Clinical Geneticists.  Trainers are all appropriately trained to fulfil the function of clinical or educational supervisor and the registrar can expect timely workplace-based assessments and regular supervision to ensure that they get the most from the many learning opportunities available.

Registrars are expected to pass the Specialty specific examination in Clinical Genetics, which has been administered by the Royal College of Pathologists since 2012, prior to obtaining their CCT. 

The national training programme of Scotland offers an ideal training environment in a particularly beautiful part of the UK.  The three training centres have had many years’ experience in close collaborative working and allow trainees access to all the training opportunities right across Scotland. 

The three training centres are based in teaching hospitals with medical schools, so there is ample opportunity for trainees to develop their teaching skills in undergraduate and postgraduate teaching programmes. There are opportunities for involvement in research, small projects or full-time for either MD or PhD as out of programme research training. Registrars interested in pursuing a higher degree will be encouraged and supported in finding an appropriate project and funding.

Where is the training delivered?

Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Aberdeen

Queen Elizabeth University Hospital Glasgow

Western General Hospital, Edinburgh

Training Centres

Department of Clinical Genetics, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh

Department of Clinical Genetics, Yorkhill Hospitals, Glasgow,

Deaprtment of Clinical Genetics, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Aberdeen