Review of subspeciality training in obstetrics and gynaecology

Subspeciality training in obstetrics and gynaecology in the United Kingdom was introduced more than 25 years ago following a report published by a working party of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) in 1982. There are now over 400 accredited subspecialists and over 150 approved subspeciality training programmes. It is timely to consider whether there are sufficient or too many subspeciality training programmes and whether some of the training resource should be directed towards delivery of advanced training skills modules (ATSMs). It is 5 years since the establishment of the Postgraduate Medical Education and Training Board (PMETB), which has responsibility for all postgraduate medical education and training, which includes the subspecialities. This has changed the way that new centres are approved and training programmes monitored and assessed. The RCOG has the expertise and experience to ensure that programmes deliver high-quality training to develop doctors for the future who will become leaders in their field. Changes to the curriculum and methods of assessment of trainees need to be integrated into the structures developed by PMETB.