Foreword

Welcome to the June edition of the Deanery newsletter.

For some of you this will be your last few weeks as a resident doctor in training, I hope you will be able to look back over your time as a resident doctor and see how you have grown in confidence, skills and knowledge and know you are ready to be a great GP or consultant and that the deanery colleagues are still here to support you through our CPD connect and other offers, both in leadership and clinical matters and of course coaching and mentoring.

Some of you will have noticed that there are big changes afoot in the Scottish health and social care system. We are entering a bold new era with the launch of the Service Renewal Framework (SRF) and the Population Health Framework (PHF). These national strategies mark a transformative shift towards a more person-centred, community-focused, and prevention-driven approach to care. For those of us delivering care day to day, including resident doctors in training, this means we are part of a dynamic movement to improve outcomes by tackling the root causes of poor health, reducing inequalities, and strengthening the care we provide through digital innovation, early intervention, and empowered multidisciplinary teams.

In parallel, NHS Education for Scotland (NES) will be joining forces with NHS National Services Scotland (NSS) to form a new, future-focused organisation by April 2026. This ‘centre of excellence’ will bring together education, innovation, national services, and data expertise.

In this months newsletter we have more details of the series of resident doctor webinars hosted by the NES Medical Senior Team. All resident doctors are invited. The weblink gives you access to the recording of the webinar and Q&As from the events. The next webinar will be in August and all resident doctors will receive an invite.

We are then focussing on a detailed explanation of the ARCP process and how it happens and written by a resident doctor. Essential reading for all resident doctors in training giving some excellent information.

The next item introduces an initiative led by resident doctors in training – the Shadow Leadership Board (SLB). The SLB serves as a bridge between resident doctors and NES senior leaders, ensuring that the perspectives and concerns of resident doctors are represented and addressed. The article explains how all resident doctors can get involved.

NHS Education for Scotland has upgraded its national subscription to BMJ Best Practice to include the Comorbidities Manager, available free to health and social care staff in Scotland. This item explains how it can help. The BMJ Best Practice Comorbidities Manager supports the management of the whole patient by including guidance on the treatment of a person’s acute condition alongside their pre-existing comorbidities.

A Fatal Accident Inquiry (FAI) is a court-based investigation in Scotland that takes place when someone dies in specific circumstances, e.g. a death that is suspicious, unexpected, unexplained or sudden. The purpose of the FAI is to establish the facts around the death and explore how similar incidents might be prevented in the future. A new guide from NHS Education for Scotland (NES) and the Central Legal Office (CLO), launched in Spring 2025, is available to support you if you, or a colleague, are involved in an FAI. Please read the article for more information.

Your Med Future (YMF) is a dynamic new microsite designed to ignite the dreams of aspiring medical students. Launched in May, this site serves as a comprehensive and empowering resource for applicants and key career influencers, offering invaluable information and guidance on navigating the medical school application process in Scotland. Please read more about it in the article.

The Scottish Medical Training & Recruitment website, ScotMT, has just undergone a refresh. Please have a look at the site and it’s improved functionality.

Lastly, another highly successful NES conference was held in April. You can view the recordings and posters in the link provided in this item.

Remember to keep submitting articles or suggestions for content, take care and take breaks.

I hope you enjoy this edition.

If you have work you would like to highlight in this newsletter, contact Scotland Deanery.

Professor Emma Watson
Executive Medical Director, NHS Education for Scotland