Dr Chris Paton

Specialty training in the UK is structured under the framework established by Modernising Medical Careers (MMC) in 2007. After completing the Foundation Programme, doctors apply for one of three pathways: a 'run-through' specialty (such as paediatrics, general practice, or histopathology, where entry leads directly to consultant-level training); a 'core then higher' specialty (such as internal medicine, then a physician specialty); or general practice training (a three-year run-through programme leading to MRCGP and entry to the GP Register).

Applications are administered through Oriel for most specialties. Each specialty has its own person specification, with weighting on academic record, postgraduate exam progress (MRCP, MRCS or equivalent), portfolio evidence and (for most specialties) interview. The Medical Training Application Service (MTAS), the predecessor to Oriel, was withdrawn after the 2007 selection crisis; the current system is structurally similar but with more transparent algorithms.

Specialty training is overseen by the Royal Colleges (RCP, RCS, RCPCH, RCGP, etc.) and the General Medical Council, working through Health Education England (now part of NHS England) and the devolved equivalents in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Trainees' day-to-day rotations are managed by their local deanery / postgraduate school.