More support for medical specialties

Up to 64 additional medical speciality training posts are being created as part of the Scottish Government response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

NHS Education for Scotland (NES) has recommended recruiting 13 extra training posts in intensive care medicine with additional posts also being created in Public Health medicine, virology and medical microbiology.

Successful applicants for the positions in Scotland will start from autumn 2021. Funding of up to £8.5 million is being made available to support these extra posts over the next three years.

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said:

“With the NHS facing the biggest challenge in its history, it is vital we encourage trainee medics to take advantage of the world-class facilities and training on offer in Scotland to support us through the pandemic.

“As we remobilise NHS services, we must keep looking to the future and plan ahead for the next generation of Scotland's doctors. I am grateful to all those applying for new and existing posts in these challenging times and to all the frontline workers who continue to support those who are undergoing training during this crisis.”

NES acting Medical Director Professor Rowan Parks said: 

“We welcome the additional training posts across various specialties for 2021 recruitment. A number of these are to allow for transition from Core Medical Training to Internal Medicine Training Year 3. 

“We continue to develop programmes to ensure the best possible training for those who choose to pursue their medical career in Scotland and to support our future NHS workforce needs.” 

Background

ADDITIONAL POSTS

Internal Medicine Training (IMT)  42

Intensive Care Medicine 13

Public Health Medicine 2

Opthalmology 2

Vascular Surgery 2

Medical Microbiology 2

Virology 1