Certificate of Eligibility for Specialist Registration - Combined Programme (CESR (CP))

Important Update

Information for those who entered Paediatric Specialty Training at ST2 and above from August 2007 to July 2010 ONLY

The College has a duty to ensure that all trainees are placed on the correct certification route and are processed accordingly for admission onto the GMC Specialist Register. There are a small number of trainees who entered paediatric specialty training during the period of August 2007 and July 2010 with posts that were not approved for training that we need to identify in line with GMC guidance. Please read the attached guidance notes for further in depth information on the CESR (CP) process, for whom the CESR CP is for and which posts can contribute towards CCT/CESR (CP).

If you entered training at ST2 and above between the dates stated, you are required to complete the form below and return to the College no later than Friday 23^rd December 2011.

Please note:

• This process is only for those who were recruited into paediatric specialty training between August 2007 and July 2010

• It does not apply to those trainees who converted from the old Calman (SpR) training to run through (ST) training or to those who entered training at ST2 and above from August 2010 onwards. This process was managed prospectively and you should have been informed by your deanery towhich certification route you have been placed on.

• It also does not apply to those trainees who entered at ST2 and went onto complete both their ST2 & ST3 training or those who entered at ST3 who completed 12 months successfully who also possess a further 12 months of approved UK Level 1 (ST1-3) that was achieved in LAT, FTSTA or SHO posts (after August 2005).

Guidance for the CESR CP route:August 2007 - July 2010

Application Form for CESR (CP): August 2007 - July 2010

What is CESR (CP)?

The GMC awards trainees who have successfully completed an entire GMC approved training programme* with a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT). This will allow the doctor to be entered onto the GMC Specialist Register and apply for substantive consultant posts across the UK. The CCT is also the recognised European qualification for graduates in the UK.

For trainees that have not completed a GMC approved training programme in its entirety, the Certificate of Eligibility for Specialist Registration Combined Programme (CESR CP) is an application process that combines previous training, outside a GMC approved programme.  For example, if a trainee enters the UK paediatric training programme at ST2, because they have paediatric training from India, the trainee is only completing part of their training in the UK, and so would only be eligible for a CESR CP.

On Specialist Registration at the GMC, your name will not be listed with a CESR CP. The Specialist Register only lists your specialty against your name, and the date of registration, not how you got onto the Register. The only legal requirement to be a consultant in the NHS is to be on the Specialist Register. 

The current GMC approved run-through training programme consists of:

• Level one (ST1-3) (This was SHO training on the previous Calman system)A minimum of 24 months training, but normally 36 months
   
• Level two (ST4 & 5) (This was Core SpR training on the previous Calman system)A minimum of 12 months training, but normally 24 months
   
• Level three (ST6-8) (This was (optional) subspecialty SpR training on the previous Calman system)A minimum of 24 months training, but normally 36 months.

Therefore, a run-through training programme usually takes 8 years (96 months) but can be completed in 5 years (60 months), if all competencies are met.

Who is eligible for CESR CP?

 If a trainee joined the GMC approved run-through programme above ST1 they will eligible for CESR CP if:

• They entered at ST2 and do not have any previous training in UK approved* training posts. They would initially be issued with a CCT training number (NTN). If they complete ST2 & ST3 satisfactorily (determined by successful ARCP (Annual Review of Competence Progression)) they will have the required 24 months of training at level one (L1 - ST1-3), and will be on the CCT route. Should the trainee complete less than 24 months at L1 in approved training* then they will be deemed as CESR (CP) candidates and a replacement NTN issued.  
   
• They entered at ST3 and do not have 12 months previous training in UK approved* training posts. These trainees should be issued with a CESR CP NTN as it would be expected that they will only gain 12 months of approved (L1) training, but this should be reviewed at the end of their training year. If they enter with 12 months of approved (L1) training* then they should be issued with a CCT NTN on the expectation that they will gain a further 12 months in approved (L1) training. If they complete ST3 satisfactorily (determined by successful ARCP) they will have the required 24 months of training at level one, and therefore eligible for CCT.
   
• They entered at ST4 and do not have the required 24 months of approved (L1) training in UK approved* posts they should be issued with a CESR CP NTN. If they enter having completed a minimum of 24 months approved (L1) training then they should be placed on the CCT route and NTN issued to reflect this.

* Those trainees who undertook their training outside of the UK but within the European Union can count their training towards the CCT route providing that they are able to supply confirmation from the competent authority that their training was part of a recognised programme.

What happens next?

When a trainee is appointed to the run-through programme above ST1, the College will work with the Deanery to determine which training number should be issued (CCT or CESR CP). This will be approved by the Head of School at the Deanery. If the CCT route is reliant upon successful completion of a particular year (determined by the ARCP process), the NTN will be altered to reflect change from CESR CP to CCT.

If a trainee is following the CESR CP route they will be asked to submit evidence in support of their previous training (outside GMC approved training posts). This is the documentation that is usually submitted at time of ST interview and should include evidence of satisfactory performance in the previous posts. Apart from this required documentation, the CESR CP application route for Specialist Registration is the same as for those eligible for a CCT. Please view our CCT & CESR CP application page for guidance.

For more information about CESR CP please see the GMC website