Foreword

Welcome to our Autumn Scotland Deanery Newsletter

As we begin a new academic year, I would like to offer a very warm welcome to all our new Foundation Year doctors and resident doctors who joined training programmes across Scotland’s Health Boards in August. Starting somewhere new can be exciting and challenging in equal measure, and I hope you quickly feel part of a supportive, ambitious and rewarding training community here in Scotland.

Across the Scotland Deanery, our focus remains on providing high-quality education, training and support so that doctors can thrive and provide the best possible care for patients. This edition highlights some of the excellent work taking place across our teams, as well as the achievements of colleagues, trainers and resident doctors across Scotland.

Over the last year, our Medical Simulation team delivered more than 1,200 hours of simulation training to over 1,000 resident doctors, with exceptionally positive feedback from participants. We have also seen continued success in training programme completions, with 786 expected Certificates of Completion of Training (CCTs) for 2025/26 — a testament to the commitment of our trainees and everyone who supports them.

We continue to develop new learning opportunities, including the CPD Connect A Day in the Life of a Busy General Practice webinar series, which has already attracted more than 400 registrations. The Medical Appraisal Scotland team has also delivered its annual Appraisers Conference and, as it approaches 25 years of appraiser training in Scotland, it is wonderful to see the Scottish Medical Appraiser workforce and Appraiser Course Tutors recognised through nominations at this year’s Scotland’s Health Awards.

This edition also celebrates the people and teams who bring medical education to life across Scotland — from the resilience and professionalism shown by the Barra community during a multi-agency exercise, to hospitals receiving national recognition through the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists’ Training Evaluation Form Awards. These examples speak to the commitment, expertise and collaborative spirit that underpin training across Scotland.

The continued development of our Bereavement Education Programme, including new podcast episodes, and the publication of Remote and Rural Credential case study videos further reflect our commitment to supporting doctors at every stage of their careers, wherever they train and work.

You will also find important guidance on resident doctors undertaking additional work alongside training, updates from the Trainee Development and Wellbeing Service (TDWS), enhanced neurodiversity resources, and encouraging results from the GMC National Training Survey, including Scottish training programmes ranked first in the UK for overall trainee satisfaction. We also include a helpful overview of the Annual Review of Competence Progression (ARCP) process, alongside details of upcoming webinars, workshops and conferences. I would particularly encourage resident doctors to join our webinar on 7th October at 5.00pm, which is an opportunity to meet the Scotland Deanery senior team and hear more about the support, processes and resources available throughout training.

I hope you find this newsletter both useful and encouraging. Thank you to everyone who contributes to the work of the Scotland Deanery — your dedication, professionalism and care make a real difference to the doctors we support and, ultimately, to the patients and communities they serve.

To all our new and continuing resident doctors, I wish you every success for the year ahead. We look forward to working with you and supporting you as you continue to learn, develop and contribute to healthcare across Scotland.

Professor Emma Watson
Executive Medical Director, Public Services Delivery Scotland

If you have work you would like to highlight in this newsletter, contact Scotland Deanery: https://www.scotlanddeanery.nhs.scot/contact-us/