2021 Curriculum for a CCT in Anaesthetics

Time spent in a Locum Consultant appointment does not count toward the CCT/CESR[CP]: only time spent in a GMC approved training programme counts toward the CCT/CESR[CP]. It is recognised, however, that some anaesthetists in training towards the end of their training benefit from being allowed to ‘act up’ in a consultant capacity. 

If the period of acting up as a consultant is deemed by the Deanery/College to be a normal part of the anaesthetic CCT training programme and is intended to count towards the anaesthetist in training’s CCT/CESR[CP] then GMC approval is not needed because this is already an approved element of the training programme. Acting up should usually only be allowed within the anaesthetist in training’s own programme with the agreement of the local Training Committee, the Training Programme Director and the Clinical Director of the hospital concerned. The anaesthetist in training will retain their NTN and continue to be supervised by and be responsible to the local Training Committee. It is essential that at all times the anaesthetist in training has immediate access to consultant advice and understands that he or she is still in training until completion of the CCT/CESR[CP]. 

Such a post can only occur within the last three months of training with the proviso that the anaesthetist in training must have satisfactorily completed all other aspects of the training programme. Anaesthetists in training wishing to take up this option should apply directly to the Training Department at the College with the support of their Training Programme Director.

If, however, the period of acting up as a consultant is not deemed to be a normal part of the anaesthetic CCT training programme and the anaesthetist in training still wishes this to count towards their CCT/CESR[CP], then prospective approval must be sought from the GMC in the same way as other out of programme training.