Core surgery training allows surgical trainees to take their first footsteps along the exciting path of a surgical career. It allows trainees, who do not already know which sub-speciality to enter, the ability to try certain surgical specialities before determining a subspecialty in surgery. Core surgery will allow core trainees to prepare for ST3 selection.
Aims of CST
The CST programme is a 2 year programme and forms the first stage of specialty training for doctors training in the surgical subspecialties. The programme is overseen by the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) further information about the CST programme can be found on the RCS website: https://www.rcseng.ac.uk/surgeons/training
CT1
AT GSTT we have 9 CT1 trainees and the year comprises of three, four-month placements which will gives a broad exposure to the field of surgery in general. Trainees remain at GSTT for the entire year. The programme is designed to provide the core competences you need to progress to CT2 and changes to these allocated rotations are only granted under exceptional circumstances.
CT2
AT GSTT we have 8 CT2 trainees and this year comprises two, six-month placements. All CT2 rotations are specialty themed with the aim of ensuring that trainees spend at least six months in their chosen surgical specialty, thereby enabling them to apply for ST3. The rotations have been designed to provide the necessary skills and competences, for example the majority of trauma & orthopaedic surgery posts are paired with plastic surgery.
Placements
CT1
The placements are:
- Cardiothoracic
- General Surgery
- Plastic Surgery
- Trauma & Orthopaedic
- Otolaryngology
CT2
The placements are:
- Urology
- General Surgery
- Orthopaedics
- Plastic Surgery
All CST doctors are allocated a named Educational Supervisor (for the year) and a Clinical Supervisor (for each placement)
How to apply
All recruitment for the CST programme is done via national recruitment. Further information on the recruitment process can be found on the Core National Surgical Recruitment website https://www.ksseducation.hee.nhs.uk/recruitment/hekss-national-recruitment/core-surgical-training-overview
For further information please contact [email protected]
