Training Programme

The training programme is competency based, and covers basic, intermediate and higher and/or advanced levels of training in Anaesthesia, Pain management and Intensive Care Medicine (ICM). Subject to satisfactory appraisals and assessments over the training period, a trainee should become eligible for the award of a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT).

Basic level training - Years 1 and 2

The majority of Anaesthetic ST1 posts will be at one of the District General Hospitals (DGHs), and will rotate to a different DGH for year 2. Trainees are expected to attend a Primary FRCA course and to pass the Primary during their first two years.

Intermediate level training -Years 3 and 4

The Final FRCA exam must be passed during this time (corresponds to SpR1/2 training). Trainees spend year 3 in Oxford to achieve the key units of training (cardiac, paediatric and obstetric anaesthesia, neuroanaesthesia, ICM, pain management), and then rotate to a DGH for year 4.

Higher and Advanced level training - Years 5, 6 and 7

During the final three years, trainees should try to tailor their training towards individual career plans and subspecialty interests. Year 5 is spent in a DGH before returning to Oxford for both years 6 and 7. Advanced Training Modules (ATMs) are available for trainees in year 6 only and appointment is competitive and the selection process may involve interviews. Trainees doing 'out of programme' training are not eligible for ATMs. Trainees in their final year can apply to do Higher Training in various subspecialties.

We expect to appoint 16 ST1 Anaesthetic trainees per year. Some will start in August and some will have a “staggered start” in February. We also expect to appoint 4 ST1 Anaesthetic ACCS trainees per year.

For trainees appointed in 2008 onwards there will be competitive entry to ST3 training. All trainees who were offered and accepted run-through training in the 2007 appointment process will continue to have run-through training.