GRID and SPIN training in Scotland

There are a number of opportunities to train in a particular sub-specialty in Scotland. The RCPCH has guidance on the GRID application and SPIN application process, including important deadlines.

There are annual GRID/SPIN seminars organised by the deanery to provide more information and also field any questions from trainees.  

It is important to discuss any interests with educational supervisors and training programme directors as early as possible.

GRID training in Scotland

At Level 3 of training (ST6-ST8), paediatric trainees may sub-specialise in a specific area of paediatrics. There is a UK-wide competitive recruitment process, known as NTN recruitment, with more information available on the RCPCH website. 

Currently available GRID Subspecialties

• Community child health
• Neonatal Medicine
• Paediatric Diabetes and endocrinology
• Paediatric Nephrology
• Paediatric Emergency Medicine
• Paediatric Neurodisability
• Paediatric Neurology
• Paediatric Gastroenterology, hepatology and nutrition
• Paediatric Oncology
• Paediatric Immunology and infectious disease
• Paediatric Respiratory Medicine
• Paediatric Intensive Care medicine
• Paediatric Rheumatology

There are also plans to expand this to include Palliative Care medicine and Paediatric inherited and metabolic disease.

Current not offered are: Paediatric Allergy, Child Mental Health, Clinical pharmacology and therapeutics.  However these could be developed if there is adequate interest.

Where these posts are offered?

Some of these subspecialties can be completed in a single region, but many of them are rotational posts.

GRID subspecialty	Rotation
Community child health	All regions
Paediatric Diabetes and endocrinology	West SES
Paediatric Emergency Medicine	West SES
Paediatric Gastroenterology, hepatology and nutrition	West/SES West/North
Paediatric Immunology and infectious disease	West/SES
Paediatric Intensive Care medicine	West West/SES
Neonatal Medicine	West/SES East/SES West/North West SES
Paediatric Nephrology	West
Paediatric Neurodisability	SES West
Paediatric Neurology	West/SES East/SES West SES
Paediatric Oncology	West SES
Paediatric Respiratory Medicine	West/SES
Paediatric Rheumatology	West/GOS

 

Current number of trainees within each GRID post

 

Subspecialty	Number in Scotland
Gastroenterology	2
Immunology and Infectious Disease	1
Neurodisability	1
Endocrine	2
Oncology	2
Renal	2
Emergency Medicine	3
Neurology	3
Respiratory	3
Paediatric intensive care medicine	5
Community Child Health	6
Neonatal Medicine	9

 

The placement of a trainee within a GRID post has to be carefully managed and is a balance between local training capacity, local workforce needs as well as the needs of the training programme.

Special Interest Module (SPIN)

SPIN allows paediatric trainees to CCT in General Paediatrics with a Special Interest.  The training is aligned with majority of subspecialty care in a general paediatric setting.   It is not mandatory for completion of training.

The following subspecialties are currently offered in Scotland:

• Allergy
• Cardiology
• Diabetes
• Epilepsy
• Gastroenterology, hepatology and nutrition
• High dependency care (HDC)
• Infectious diseases
• Neonatology
• Nephrology
• Neurodisability
• Oncology
• Respiratory
• Rheumatology
• Safeguarding

Palliative care and Adolescent health are currently being developed.

The following are not available in Scotland currently, but if there is interest, could be adapted to Scottish training, if there is interest: Audiovestibular medicine, Adolescent health, Child mental health, Dermatology

 

 

 

 

This page was last updated on: 09.04.2024 at 13.40