At 7am the ONS published September's CPI: 3.5% (up from 3.1% in August). September is the month that matters for the NHS pension:

• 2015 scheme: active members' 2015 pension is revalued by CPI + 1.5% = 5.0% in April 2027.
• Pensions in payment and deferred pensions rise by 3.5% in April 2027 (subject to the Pensions Increase order).
• Annual allowance 2027/28: the opening value of your pension is first uplifted by 3.5%. Only growth above that counts as pension input.

The pay side. On Monday, DHSC and NHS England's written evidence to the DDRB said they "currently plan for a pay uplift of 2.4%", that "accepting such an award would inevitably have an impact on healthcare delivery", that every 0.5% on pay costs about £750 million, and that the trade-offs could include "additional elective activity to reduce waiting lists". (DDRB evidence, p.15). This is *another* disgraceful planned 1% pay cut, we used to get these every year with #Austerity #1. Lets hope the DDRB are not that stupid

What it means:

• If you have 1995 Section (final salary) benefits and you're not a GP, that pension now only grows as your pensionable pay grows. If pay went up only 2.4% against a 3.5% uplift means another year of negative growth in the annual allowance test for 2027/28, unless your own pay rises by more (an increment, a promotion, a change of WTE). That may present planning opportunities.
• Your 2015 pension is revalued 1.5% above the AA uplift, so that counts as growth, on top of a year's new 2015 accrual.
• How it nets out depends on your own pay across both schemes, tapering and carry forward. Don't guess it — model it.
• If you have a pension in payment, that will go up by 3.5%

Sources: ONS CPI annual rate (D7G7) · DDRB evidence 2027/28 · Finance Act 2004 s.234 (AA opening-value uplift) · NHS Pension Scheme Regulations 2015 (revaluation).

Not advice — just the numbers so you #KnowYOURnumbers.

I’ve noticed there’s hardly ever even an attempt at a brief when a cat 1 section is called.
Interested to know from fellow obstetric department dwellers - what’s the culture like at your hospital?
Now I understand that sometimes it is a crash section and there’s barely time to breathe (I would still say a brief of some description is better than nothing but not everyone shares my opinion).
But as we (anaesthetics and OGs) know, a cat 1 section that ‘can have a quick spinal’ also in my opinion has time for a ‘quick brief’ preferably in theatre. It reduces confusion during the surgery which can be chaos.
We brief for other emergencies like triple A rupture, or a bleeding abdomen needing a laparotomy etc etc.
every time I suggest a brief for an emergency section I’m looked at like I’m mad or wasting time - I’ve been getting responses like ‘it’s a cat 1 we never brief’ from fellow trainees 😳 what’s your thoughts ?

She argues that, for those in advanced practice roles, they are capable of developing care pathways, undertaking quality improvement initiatives and educating communities – but are often tied to clinics ‘without any kind of opportunity to do the other stuff’.
She adds: ‘We are leading clinics, but we don’t get the recognition that our GP colleagues do.’

Yeah how about you go to medical school first?

I still struggle to see how they think they're equivalent to a CCT'd GP. These people have no insight at all.

Hi all. Wondering if anyone who has managed to score > 90% in interviews could shed some light on what they think got them the score? I have interviewed twice and have never gotten better than the 80s. Cheers!

Interestingly, doctors were not mentioned at all in this

It added: ‘They help grow the number and capability of supervisors and educators, support continuing professional development and retention, and help primary care teams embed new and developing roles.  

ie. NHSE is planning to introduce more noctors with extended roles and rely less on expensive GPs who will only act as liability sponges

How did everyone do?

I've been trying to access Oriel to apply for specialty training.

I'm currently F2 and my oriel only seems to allow me to apply for foundation training in the application section.

I've tried updating my Staff Group to medical to no avail.

Has anyone had this issue or been able to resolve it?

Only in medicine must we work for free to enhance our professional portfolios!

(+ PAs examining medical students and ANPs be equivalent to ST3+ as far as examining capabilities are concerned)

Hi all looking for some advice. I have recently started HST in a group 1 speciality in a busy DGH. I am having a really hard time. The department has 10 consultants yet barely anyone available to discuss clinic patients. Ward referrals are discussed with consultants but again that is rushed most of the time. And sometimes when you go over the plan the next day, they do 180 flip and say why we have done so. There is barely anytime given to do admin and this is a clinic heavy speciality. All clinic patients for the entire week are discussed in a 1 hour meeting at the end of the week and we are constantly being told to hurry up as they dont have time. There is also only 2 SpRs + 1 IMT3. One consultant literally told me not to call them after 4:30. The consultants are not comfortable with the IMT seeing ward referrals which results in them then being obstructive about annual leave and study leave. Even time off/away from clinical duties for mandatory training has been difficult to arrange. Most days there is just one of two registrars around who does both clinics and referrals. We are also made to supervise inpatient specialist nurses resulting in our clinics being interrupted. Our SDT time also has to be onsite “in case we are needed” and this has resulted in me ending up helping with something. There are clinics in the morning with 1st patient booked in for 8:45 which means we need to be in by 8:30 even though our contracted time is 9. I have raised these issues with my ES multiple times we have not gotten anywhere. The whole department is non functional and toxic. If it was for just 6 months it would have been fine but it is a whole 2 years. I do not think it is going to get better and also know that this is unsustainable. It is starting to affect my mental wellbeing and I feel like I will burn out very quickly. What are my options here? I dont want to leave the speciality as I really like it. Can I ask my TPD for transfer to another hospital within the deanery? The other reg also feels similarly and when speaking to previous trainees the feedback was the same.

If I accept with upgrades, but arrange no preferences above my current choice if I change my mind would mean I will keep the current offer? I am in two minds about rearranging my upgrades HELP

Will there be a direct mail with the result?

Hi everyone,

I am an FY2 in GP.

In this practice there are 2 salaried GPs and 2 FY2s.

I have been seeing 6 patients in the morning and 6 in the afternoon (20 mins each), and at least once a week I go on one or two home visits during my lunch break.

Now I've been informed that management wants me to see 7 in the morning and 7 in the afternoon.

I'm a bit worried as I find this job quite hard, struggling with all the admin too etc, but I'm managing. Also it's worth mentioning that the straightforward stuff goes to the ANPs so I'm mostly seeing complex cases.

Is this number of patients normal for an FY2?

Also I try to go through the day independently and debrief at the end with one of the GPs, and I'm getting a lot better, but sometimes if I'm worried or unsure I will go knock on their door after a case (in my worst days I go for like 3 or 4 out of the 6 patients, sometimes for none). I feel very bad and awkward for this, I appreciate that they're super busy. I think maybe one of them finds it slightly annoying so I try to be as independent and nice as possible but sometimes I don't want to risk sending the patient home if I'm unsure!

So should I try to be even more independent or is this acceptable?

Overall I've been doing ok but I find it so hard some days. I was just wondering if what I'm experiencing is normal or if I should be doing things differently? I would be super grateful for your perspectives :)

Thanks!!

What do people think about the core surgical training changes to 2027?

CST 2027 recruitment – key changes
Self-assessment scrapped: No more points-based Oriel self-assessment.
Portfolio revamped: Now assessed across 3 domains: Knowledge & Skills, Patients/Partnership/Communication, and Safety & Culture.
Quality over quantity: Greater emphasis on your personal contribution, impact and lasting outcomes rather than collecting achievements.
New portfolio interview: 15-minute virtual station discussing 2 portfolio domains.
Scoring: Portfolio 45%, clinical/management interview 45%, MSRA 10%.
MSRA: Approximately the top 1,200 candidates invited to interview.
Prioritisation: Now applies at interview shortlisting AND job offers.
IST posts: Recruitment to IST posts in England paused for 2027, with places transferred to standard CST recruitment.
Official guidance:
https://medical.hee.nhs.uk/medical-training-recruitment/medical-specialty-training/surgery/core-surgery/core-surgical-training-portfolio-guidance-for-candidates

Historically I’ve always been told ENT is one of the best surgical specialities for private income potential, however, the more I speak to/hear second hand from consultants, it seems that really only the slightly older consultants in Rhinology, or the Rhinologists at big tertiary institutions are raking it in, whilst for other subspecialties, private income is not particularly lucrative.

How good is ENT for private practice potential for the general or the average ENT surgeon across the UK, especially those who are not in large tertiary units in London?

I got a derm st3 post although not in my preferred region
Should I just accept it or try again in next round?
I will be doing a deferred start anyway bcs of mat leave so don’t lose any time, but it is such a competitive speciality
For context my interview prep was not my best for this round so I know there is place for improvement

Hi everyone,

Has anyone completed or is currently on the South West London Clinical Oncology ST3 rotation (L3)?

I’ve received an offer for March 2027, advertised as a five-year programme within South West London, with rotations at Imperial, Royal Marsden, Royal Surrey or University Hospitals Sussex.

I’m trying to clarify the geographical split between London and Surrey/Sussex. The separate KSS programmes explicitly state 1 year in London and 4 years outside, whereas the South London programme doesn’t specify this.

I’d assumed the South London rotation would be predominantly London-based, but I’ve received conflicting information.

Could anyone currently on this rotation clarify roughly how many years are spent in London versus outside London?

is it generally commurable from London?

Thanks so much!

F2 looking for any words of wisdom for how to get into research. I have no interest in research really beyond getting points for specialty applications so I’ll be able to get a training post in the next couple of years.

I’m not 100% but thinking of applying to IMT. Probably taking a year out this year to work in Aus ideally (and probably will have to have a year out anyway as unlikely to get training post), and generally keen on having a year out while it fits naturally, but might stick in an application anyway.

I have 13 points for IMT- maxed out teaching series, QIP, 4/8 for presentation. Can do teach the teacher course for an extra point which would take me to 14 points. Ideally would present QIP at a higher level for more presentation points however the QIP was not groundbreaking work! The main area left to target is research/publications however I have no idea where to start. Any advice please for how to get involved in research with a view to get something that scores points? Thank you

I'm an FY3 working ED and I'm beating myself up about an enounter I had. It was mid night shift my concentration was slipping. I saw a baby who had a burn from a hot cup of tea. Burn looked superficial and I was like baby's fine. I completely forgot to consider the safe-guarding aspects of the case and I also muddled the history and said there was a kettle involved when there wasnt. I completely recognise how subpar this is and have definitely learned. My consultant was not impressed understandably. I haven't had any such issues since I've worked for a few months here. I'm just so anxious she'll raise a concern. I don't think I'll ever be so careless in the future but any advice would be greatly appreciated.

CT1 Feb 2027

Good luck everyone with their results!

Here’s a spreadsheet to help us collate information.
Hopefully will be of use to people and for the future

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1kBaby0cINLmZeVLP8pIL1mVOo-z16UQkD3cEvfLIwjE/edit?usp=sharing

Hi all,

I'm strongly considering a career in psychiatry, but I'm curious about the private practice market in the UK.

How does psychiatry generally compare to other medical specialties such as gastroenterology, dermatology, oncology, etc., in terms earning potential and availability of patients?

Thanks in advance!

Hi everyone,
I am preparing for the Primary FRCA OSCE and SOE exams in February 2027 and looking for a study partner who is sitting the same exam.
Ideally, I would like someone who is keen to practise regularly, particularly viva questions, with the opportunity to go through OSCE stations together as well.

If anyone is interested, please feel free to comment or send me a DM.
Thanks!

Hi guys,

Has anyone heard anything yet?

Do we think jobs will be released for CT1 anaesthetics today?