Curriculum Review - Anaesthetic CCT Curriculum 2020 update

Fellows and members may be aware that there is a large project to re-write the anaesthetic curriculum in line with new GMC standards that were published in May 2017.

The proposed new curriculum will include three years core training (four years for ACCS) then four years for higher specialty training. The total indicative duration of the anaesthetic training programme will remain at seven years. There will be three ‘stages’ of training representing three/two/two years (Stage 1 = CT1-CT3 / Stage 2 = ST4-ST5 / Stage 3 = ST6/ST7).

The clinical scope of Stage 1 will be similar to the current core programme, albeit at a more challenging level at CT3 with greater exposure to obstetric anaesthesia after completion of the Initial Assessment of Competence in Obstetric Anaesthesia (IACOA) and paediatrics.

The new curriculum may have implications for future recruitment to higher specialty training, which will start at ST4 ie, Stage 2. Anaesthetists in training will be required to demonstrate acquisition of the learning outcomes necessary for completion of the new three year Stage 1 curriculum critical progression point, before starting Stage 2 specialty training (ST4).

We are aware that this may have implications for those trainees who enter and/or complete core training on the existing 2010 curriculum before August 2021. The College is looking at the solutions available to allow these trainees as smooth a transition as possible from CT2 through to ST4.  This involves discussion with other bodies involved in the employment of anaesthetists in training, for example the Conference of Postgraduate Deans and the GMC. Until these discussions are complete we are unable to provide specific details of the transitional arrangements. We hope to be in a more informed position in the autumn. However, we at the College would like to reassure all anaesthetists in training that the curriculum changes have been made for their benefit and we are working to ensure no one will be disadvantaged by this change.  Those starting CT1 in August 2019 should anticipate spending three years in core/stage 1 training and should address any concerns in the first instance to their Training Programme Director or Regional Adviser Anaesthesia.

We will provide further information as soon as we are able to do so, and in the meantime if you have any concerns, please feel free to contact your Anaesthetists in Training Representative Group (ATRG) representative who can contact the College Training Department or Trainee representatives on Council who are members of the Curriculum Review Group.