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Recruitment: Competition, Applications and Shortlisting Information

Each year, information is made available regarding the estimated number of applicants, number of posts available in specialty training and the general outlook at each stage of specialty training. This information can be accessed centrally via the MMC website, following the link through Specialty Training. It is possible to break the information held on this website down further by specialty, location and level.

It is also advisable to look at the Deanery websites as there is a wealth of useful information regarding application processes, whether the recruitment is national or local and Frequently Asked Questions. In many cases there is also a ‘point of contact’ which may be useful if you have a specific question to which you cannot find the answer elsewhere.

All Deaneries are required to advertise vacancies on the NHS Jobs vacancy website. This includes specialty recruitment so it is advisable to check this and perhaps consider setting up email alerts. Trusts in the Severn area also use NHS Jobs for recruitment to locum posts. (LAT and LAS posts).

Up to date information on recruitment is also carried on Deanery websites, so ensure you have these added to your favourites and check them regularly.

Points to note

Before embarking on research into speciality training competition ratios it is important to bear the following in mind:

  • Allow yourself some uninterrupted time to look at the information and interpret this correctly
  • Read the guidelines on ‘How to use the competition ratio tables’
  • Read the summary before looking at the detailed tables. In some cases this will provide reassurance, in others reinforce the message that a Plan B may be needed.
  • The latest competition ratio information is published on the MMC website. Follow the route: Specialty Training 2010, Recruitment Process, Stage 2 Choosing your Specialty the Competition Information.
  • Finally, it would be wise not to make your decision based solely on the information in the competition ratios tables.