CORE SURGICAL TRAINING (CST)

Core surgical training (CST) is the 2-year general training programme leading from the Foundation Programme to specialist surgical training. It comprises of training periods in different surgical specialities to gain skills and competencies to prepare doctors for ST3, registrar selection.

Core surgical training is currently available at the Colchester Hospital site within ESNEFT. At Colchester Hospital core surgical training includes trauma and orthopaedics, general surgery (UGI and colorectal), vascular, otorhinolaryngology and urology.

GMC training survey data has shown that Trainees at Colchester feel wellsupervised with overall satisfaction in Trauma and Orthopaedics being above national average.

During core surgical training there are core competencies that should be acquired that are common to all surgical specialities (defined as common competencies). There are also a limited range of competencies to be acquired that are relevant to the trainee’s chosen surgical speciality.

Core surgical trainees are also expected to complete the MRCS examinations part A and B before taking an ST3 post. The East of England Deanery runs a plethora of courses including MRCS preparation courses to help with passing these exams.

Training Opportunities

There are a wealth of training opportunities available. The ICENI Centre, an onsite state-of-the-art education and training suite, is available for simulation and surgical skills sessions.

In the clinical setting, there are excellent registrars and consultants on-hand to train in theatre, clinic and the wards. In particular, the trauma and orthopaedic surgeons have won awards for their roles in training junior doctors.

Research

Numerous research opportunities are on offer at Colchester to Trainees, with many Supervisors holding research interests. Thus each Department offers opportunities to engage and develop skills in original research, audit and quality improvement.

Teaching

Trainees benefit from regular departmental teaching within their specialty as well as focused CST teaching each month with the College Tutor. Additionally, Trainees also benefit from the centralised CST teaching which runs remotely for Trainees nationwide.

Trainees are also given the opportunity to develop as clinical teachers, with opportunities to teach medical students and foundation trainees.