Intensive Care Medicine training in Scotland

Entry into the ICM training programme in Scotland, is via one of the accredited UK core training programmes: Stage 1 anaesthesia, ACCS Anaesthesia, ACCS EM and ACCS Acute Medicine and IMT. Trainees can complete Higher Specialty training in ICM alone, or opt for dual training, together with a number of partner specialties (additional information provided in the links below).

Single specialty ICM training

Dual training with ICM is currently feasible for the following specialities:

Dual ICM and Anaesthesia

Dual ICM and EM

Dual ICM and Acute medicine, renal and respiratory medicine

Trainees who have completed some of their ICM training out with the UK, can also apply for ICM training via the CESR-CP (CESR combined programme training) or for recognition of training, via the CESR routes. Funding for the CESR route may be available via the NES SAS development fund.

CESR-CP

CESR

In 2021, a new curriculum for ICM training was introduced, inline with recommendations by the GMC. Details of the new 2021 curriculum can be found here

Recruitment

Recruitment to ICM training in Scotland is via the UK recruitment process, which is administrated by the ICM national recruitment office and HEE West midlands deanery. Prior to 2020, this involved a 5-station interview process. Since March 2020, ICM recruitment has been heavily reliant on portfolio scores due to the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The situation over the next few years will continue to evolve and the most up to date information, can be found, via the ICMNRO website (see link below)

FICM national recruitment information

ICM National Recruitment information

There are 4 training regions in Scotland. ICM trainees remain predominantly within their own region but can rotate through any of the other regions, to complete specialist modules, or gain additional experience. NB trainees wishing to complete dual training, must be awarded NTNs for both specialties, in the same region.

FICM information on Scottish training units: https://www.ficm.ac.uk/regional-post-information/scotland

ICM self-assessment criteria

Further advice can also be sought from your local Regional Advisor for ICM training.

West of Scotland (Lead RA): Dr Radha Sundaram (Radha.Sundaram@ggc.scot.nhs.uk)

North of Scotland: Dr Paul Gamble (paul.gamble@nhs.scot)

East of Scotland:  Judith Joss (judith.joss@nhs.scot)

S.E. Scotland: Neil Young (Neil.Young@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk)

Who to contact for more information?

Other resources:

All training ICUs have a local Faculty Tutor

FICM – lots of information for about training including

RCoA – a helpful summary

NHS Education for Scotland and the ScotMT site have information of Scottish recruitment & training

The four Regional advisors are:

  • West of Scotland – Dr Radha Sundaram, Royal Alexandra Hospital, Paisley(Lead RA)
  • South East of Scotland – Dr Neil Young, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh 
  • East of Scotland – Judith Joss, Ninewells Hospital, Dundee
  • North of Scotland – Dr Paul Gamble, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary