dom.
Graduates then enter a two-year foundation programme (F1 and F2), entering
placements in several specialty and health care settings. Specialist training
begins after F1 and F2 rotations. Medical royal colleges create curricula and
assessments for specialist training. The GMC approves curricula, assessments
and the distribution of training posts (specialty registrar posts).
Specialists train in hospitals for five to seven years, and then join the GMC
Specialist Register and can be appointed to a consultant post. GPs train for at
least three years – two years in hospitals and the third in a GP practice. They
then join the GMC’s GP Register and can work as a GP. On average it takes
nine years of clinical training after medical school to become a GP, and eleven
years to become a hospital consultant. Staff grade doctors are those who do not
become consultants, either by choice or by failing to gain a post.
Continuing professional development (CPD) is required of all doctors.
Doctors show their proficiency in CPD by two methods: the annual appraisal
process (one for GPs and one for consultants), and the five-yearly revalidation
process introduced in 2012.
Dentists
To train as dentists, students attend five years of undergraduate dental school,
at one of the 16 dental schools in the United Kingdom. After undergraduate
school, they register with the United Kingdom General Dental Council (GDC)
to practise as a dentist. More training is required for dental specialists, such
as orthodontists. Specialists usually work in hospitals. Dentists are revalidated
through the GDC, a process that began in 2011.
Nurses and midwives
To train as nurses or midwives, students attend a three- or four-year
pre-registration degree course; the nursing diploma in higher education has
been phased out and nursing is now a graduate-entry career. Courses are at
universities that have placements in hospital and community settings. Generally,
76 Health systems in transition United Kingdom
the first year for all nurses in training is the Common Foundation Programme.
After this, students specialize. Midwives have to have a midwifery degree, or,
if they are already a nurse, they can do a short additional training programme.
After training, nurses and midwives register with the United Kingdom Nursing
and Midwifery Council (NMC) to practise. Nurses and midwives have to
re-register annually, and every three years revalidate with the NMC to illustrate
they have met the standards required for safe practice in their chosen area of
work. Midwives also have to annually confirm their intention to practise to
the NMC. The revalidation process has been piloted in 2015 and will roll out
from April 2016. The requirements of revalidation include minimum hours
of practice, evidence of continual professional development and reflection
of their experiences with other nurses or midwives. The profession remains
predominantly female; however, a growing number of men are entering the
profession across all fields of practice. Programmes are in place to encourage
nurses back into practice following a break in their career.
Pharmacists
To train as pharmacists, students must obtain a four-year Master of Pharmacy
post-graduate degree from one of the 26 accredited universities in the United
Kingdom. After that, they spend a year training in a community or hospital
pharmacy, and then register with the Great Britain General Pharmaceutical
Council in order to practise