Dear all,

I have done some digging to try and find out who will get a CCST and
who will get a CCT: the answer dependes on when PMETB takes over
responsibility for our training.

On the STA (Specilaist Training Authority)website (latest news) it
says that the STA will continue to award CCSTs until PMETB takes over
in 2005 (? when in 2005). Furthermore PMETB will award a CCT
(certificate of completion of training) as this is the term used in
the 2003 act which set up this body (The General Medical Practice and
Specialist Medical Education, Training and Qualifications Order
2003). PMETB won't award a CCST because it cannot.

Does this matter?

If you are a Physician almost certainly not. The RCP does not appear
to be interested in a post CCT qualification. CCT for them will be a
CCST.

It would seem however that surgeons lead by the Urologists in the
form of Prof Mundy - who now control the JCHST - are changing the
definition of CCT into a stepping stone lesser qualification than a
CCST. A step most people won't make. This does raise the question of
who will award a CCST - and will it mean anything? (In more paranoid
moments you might actually think that the JCHST is determined to do
the governments job for it in terms of dumbing down surgeons...)

If PMETB does become a reality then ALL SUBSEQUENT TRAINEES WILL GET
A CCT, even those who have done almost all their training under the
old schemes. Perhaps a legal challenge could,and should, be mounted?

Does this clear things up? Not really.

Please post your thoughts on this site.

Best wishes,

Liam