FAQs

Topic areas

Speciality training and Matching
Spin applications
Grid applications
CCT
Training queries

We have put together some frequently asked questions to help you navigate specialty training. Do have a look through as the answers to many of the common questions can be found below. If you have a specific query, please do get in touch. All contact details for TPDs can be found on the LSP Who’s who webpage.

All length of time quoted will reflect whole time equivalent working. If you are working less than full time or step off the training pathway for parental leave/OOP, your indicative time in training will increase.

Specialty training and the matching process:

  1. When does matching for specialty training occur?
  • Matching will take place in early Spring for specialty training starting in September, or the following March i.e we will match for Sept 2025/March 2026 posts in Spring 2025.
  • We aim to place you for 36 months if you are choosing to CCT in general paediatrics
  • If you are choosing to apply for GRID please see information below.
  1. I don’t start ST5 until March, when I do I need to submit a matching form?
  • See question 1
  • You should submit a matching form in the spring of the year before you are due to enter specialty training.
  1. How specific do I have to be on the matching form with regard to my desired placements?
  • We will aim to place you to the best of our abilities in the trusts that you have requested, taking into consideration your training needs and availability of posts.
  • If you are undertaking SPIN, we will prioritise your special interest. We therefore may need to place you in posts outside of your preferred hospital choices.
  • Please be aware that specialty training is a pan-London training programme. You may need to commute in order to gain desired subspecialty training experience.
  1. What are the minimum requirements for specialty programme for trainees working towards a CCT in general paediatrics?
  • Whilst Progress+ is capability-based and does not mandate any minimum time, there is a recognition that the majority of trainees will take 3 years WTE to complete specialty training and accelerating training will be exceptions. For trainees intending to CCT in general paediatrics will be placed to have 12-18 months in the speciality. These placements are usually in a district general hospital.
  • We will aim to place you for a minimum of 12 months in a paediatric department, usually in a DGH, to allow you to develop your broader leadership and management skills in a department similar to one you will work in as a consultant. Typically, you will have exposure across the whole department during these placements including general paediatrics, outpatients, neonates and ED/ PAU.
  • Where possible we would aim to place you in one trust for this period.
  1. Do I have to do tertiary Neonates during specialty training as a trainee working towards a general paediatric CCT?
  • Whilst not mandatory, we would recommend at least 6 months of tertiary neonatal experience during specialty training. The Progress+ general paediatrics subspecialty curriculum includes neonatal capabilities and as such it is important to have neonatal experience to gain these key capabilities.
  • Additionally, the vast majority of general paediatric posts in the UK do have an element of neonatal cover. It is therefore important that you gain neonatal experience as a senior trainee. By not undertaking tertiary neonates in Level 3 training, you may be ineligible to apply for consultant posts that have an element of neonatal cover.
  1. What does a typical specialty training programme look like for a trainee CCTing in general paediatrics?
  • There is no typical specialty training programme, as we recognise that trainees have different interests, and career intentions. However, as you will be achieving CCT in general paediatrics you will need to demonstrate you have achieved key capabilities in both the generic and general paediatrics subspecialty curricula.
  • You should aim to have 12-18 months DGH paediatric experience during your ST6/7 year and undertake 6 months tertiary neonates. You will also have the opportunity to undertake up to 12 months subspecialty interest which can support a SPIN interest.
  • If you did not want to undertake SPIN, and wanted well-rounded general paediatrics experience, you may wish to consider a NICU placement, PICU placement with either ED or another specialty post in addition to a general paediatric post.

 

SPIN applications:

  1. When do I apply for SPIN?
  • The SPIN programme is overseen by RCPCH, not the HEE. Timelines for applications are mandated by the college.
  • As of July 2021, there are two SPIN application windows in Spring and Autumn.
  • The application form for SPIN is on portfolios, and requires TPD confirmation that you will be placed in appropriate posts for SPIN.
  • If you have already been placed in training posts for specialty training, and subsequently decide to undertake SPIN please do get in touch with the specialty programme management TPDs to review your placements.
  1. Can I apply for SPIN and for GRID at the same time?
  • Ideally you should focus on strengthening your GRID application.
  • As of July 2021, there is no clear directive from RCPCH stating that trainees cannot apply for both GRID and SPIN simultaneously.
  • RCPCH are also mandating that most of the SPIN experience should be prospectively approved.
  1. I want to do cardiology SPIN, how do I encompass this within my training?
  • Trainees wishing to undertake cardiology SPIN can develop basic cardiology and echo skills in neonatal, general paediatric and PICU placements within the specialty programme.
  • There are no tertiary cardiology placements within the London training programme. Tertiary experience will need to be undertaken as an OOP.
  • Currently there is only one general paediatric post, at Epsom Hospital, which supports the cardiology SPIN, and has established links with the Evelina Cardiology team. Having completed the Epsom post, you would apply for an OOPE/T as a paediatric cardiology fellow to complete SPIN competencies.
  1. Which other SPINs require an OOP to gain capabilities?
  • In addition to cardiology SPIN, allergy and palliative care SPIN are likely to require OOP time to gain capabilities. There are very few allergy and palliative care posts across London, all of which are grid posts. We can only place SPIN trainees in these posts if there is availability after grid trainees have been placed.
  • Allergy SPIN, like cardiology SPIN, is very popular.
  • Most other SPIN modules can be accommodated within the specialty training programme.
  1. Can I do more than 1 SPIN during specialty training?
  • Due to the length of specialty training it not possible to work towards both general paediatric key capabilities and undertake more than one SPIN.
  • If you wanted to explore a second SPIN we would advise this is undertaken post CCT.

 

GRID applications:

  1. I am applying for GRID training this year. How does this impact my specialty matching process?
  • You will only be matched for one year.
  • If you are successful in your GRID application, you will be placed within the GRID training programme.
  • If you are unsuccessful you will need to re-submit another matching for the following year.
  1. I was unsuccessful in my GRID application. Can I undertake grid equivalent training during specialty programme?
  • It is not possible to undertake GRID training outside of the GRID training programme as you will be working towards a general paediatric CCT. You will therefore need to demonstrate that you have achieved specialty training key capabilities in general paediatrics for the GMC to approve your CCT and will be placed to achieve this.

 

CCT:

  1. Who calculates my CCT date for my eportfolio?
  • Your CCT date is formally calculated/re-calculated at ARCP. This takes into account any LTFT working pattern and time out of training. The panel will use the placement proforma, and where appropriate your fast tracking form, to help in their decision.
  1. Can I apply for consultant posts before my CCT?
  • As per the Gold Guide, you are can only interview for consultant posts six months prior to your expected CCT date.
  • Please see the HEE trainee support page for additional information.
  1. My CCT date at my last ARCP is incorrect. What do I need to do?
  • In most cases, your ARCP date will be re-calculated at your next ARCP.
  • If you are applying for START and your CCT date is incorrect, please liaise with your programme management TPD.
  1. I want to bring forward my CCT date, is this possible?
  • Please see the LSP website for further information on accelerating training.
  • We would advise that you discuss this matter with your educational supervisor and your programme management TPD
  • If you do bring forward your CCT date, you are not eligible for a grace placement.
  1. Is a period of grace automatic?
  • Grace period is 6 calendar months only irrespective of whether you are working fulltime or less than full time. You are not considered to be in training during your grace period but in the post for purposes of service.
  • A period of grace is not automatic and must be requested within the matching window (see above for details on matching).
  • Allocation of grace posts will be considered once all existing trainees have been placed and only if there is availability across the pan-London programme. If you have submitted a matching request and have not received details of a grace placement 16 weeks before rotational dates, you should contact the specialty programme management TPDs.
  • Please see the HEE support pages for more information about grace posts.

 

Training queries:

  1. I want to discuss my training. Who do I contact?
  • Your educational supervisor and college tutor are your first port of call for discussions around training and career planning.
  • If you want to discuss your training placements, including OOP/parental leave/LTFT and SPIN please contact your programme management TPDs.
  • If you want to have a discussion regarding future career/general training issues please arrange a trainee contact meeting (TCM) via the HEE support portal. Meetings are held every month.
  1. I am planning on taking time out of training (eg parental leave, OOP). Who do I contact regarding my placements on my return to the programme?
  • You should inform the specialty training programme directors in advance of any planned time out of training, as they will be able to advise regarding future training placements.
  • Your time out of training will affect your future placements and your expected CCT date.
  1. I want to change my % working time. Who do I need to contact?
  • You would need to formally apply for changing to LTFT working, including returning to full-time training, via the NHSE trainee support portal. There are specific notice periods, and windows dependent on the category of LTFT. More details can be found on the LSP website and the HEE trainee support page.
  • You should also contact your programme management TPD to review your placements and re-calculate your length of training.
  • If you are returning to full time training, you may need to change your allocated placements. Training LTFT will push back your CCT date, including training at 80% . Placements may need to be reviewed to give better continuity.

 

Written and updated June 2024