Question reference: S5W-03451
- Asked by: Finlay Carson, MSP for Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
- Date lodged: 4 October 2016
-
Current status: Answered by Shona Robison on 1 November 2016
Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many NHS locum consultants (a) have and (b) have not passed their consultant exams, also broken down by NHS board.
Answer
There is no such thing as a consultant exam, or any exam specifically linked to Locums. The end point for all UK medical specialty training in the UK is called the Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT), and all training programme are approved by the GMC as regulator of the profession. While the specialty training pathway varies in length depending on the medical specialty chosen, successful completion of the full programme must be demonstrated by accumulated evidence of achieving required standards and passing of relevant College exams before the award of a CCT. Achievement of a CCT formally recognises the individual as a Specialist in whatever specialty they’ve chosen, and permits a doctor to request their name be entered onto the relevant GMC specialty register, and apply for posts, including Consultant posts where the individual meets the specified criterion of the post advertised.