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Education & training: Asim Naeem Psychiatric secrets of success: who wants to be a specialist registrar? Psychiatr Bull 2004; 28: 421-424 [Abstract] [Full text] [PDF]

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Psychiatric secrets of success:who wants to be a specialist registrar?

Debasis Das, Sujata Das, Specialist Registrar in General Adult/Old Age Psychiatry, Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust. E-mail: sujatadas@doctors.org.uk   (3 November 2004)

Psychiatric secrets of success:who wants to be a specialist registrar? 3 November 2004
Debasis Das, Clinical Lecturer and Honorary Specialist Registrar Division of Psychiatry, University of Nottingham, Sujata Das, Specialist Registrar in General Adult/Old Age Psychiatry, Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust. E-mail: sujatadas@doctors.org.uk Send letter to journal: Re: Psychiatric secrets of success:who wants to be a specialist registrar? debasis.das{at}nottingham.ac.uk Debasis Das, et al.	Naeem’s excellent and informative article (Psychiatric Bulletin, November 2004, 28, 421-424) provided useful tips and advice for trainees aiming for higher specialist training as a Specialist Registrar. However, we would like to point out certain factual inaccuracies which require further clarification. Firstly, the College’s Higher Specialist Training Handbook (Royal College of Psychiatrists) clearly states that higher specialist trainees in Lecturer posts who do five or six clinical sessions become eligible for a single CCT (formerly CCST) after three years. It is only if they do 4 clinical sessions that the single CCST is after four years. Secondly, overseas doctors who are non-EEA nationals and do not have indefinite leave to remain in the United Kingdom, are also eligible to apply in open competition for Type 1 Specialist Registrar training programmes leading to CCT. If appointed, they are provided with a Visiting National Training Number (VNTN).They can then also apply to the Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND) of the Home Office for permit-free training leave to remain in the UK. This can be further extended by up to three years at a time depending on the training needs of the individual and satisfactory progress. VNTN automatically becomes a NTN once the doctor gains indefinite right to remain in the UK. Overseas doctors without UK indefinite residence leave are, therefore, not limited to taking up fixed-term training appointment (FTTA) or Type 2 posts, which do not lead to award of CCT and conversely FTTAs are not limited to overseas doctors without residency rights. References: DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH (1998) A Guide to Specialist Registrar Training. Leeds: NHS Executive. ROYAL COLLEGE OF PSYCHIATRISTS (1998) Higher Specialist Training Handbook. Occasional Paper OP43. London: Royal College of Psychiatrists. UK VISAS (2004) Guidance- Permit Free Employment (INF 14). http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk DECLARATION OF INTEREST: NONE