Local core surgical training programme

Find out about the Trust’s two-year Core Surgical Training (CST) programme. Gain hands-on experience across surgical specialties, structured teaching, and research opportunities, preparing you for higher surgical training.

The local core surgical training (CST) Programme at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust is a two-year structured training pathway for doctors at CT1/CT2 level who are committed to pursuing a career in surgery. The programme is designed to deliver high-quality, hands-on clinical experience across a broad range of surgical specialties, while aligning with national Core Surgical Training standards.

This is a locally managed and delivered initiative, with all resident doctors employed directly by Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust. All rotations take place on our hospital sites, primarily St Mary’s Hospital, Charing Cross Hospital and Hammersmith Hospital.

Themed rotations are offered based in:

• general surgery
• trauma and orthopaedic surgery
• plastic surgery
• ear, nose and throat surgery
• vascular surgery
• neurosurgery 

The locally employed doctors will rotate across their theme specialty and selected allied specialties to ensure a well-rounded clinical experience.

The programme starts each year on the first Wednesday of August.

Locally employed doctors on the programme will benefit from:

• a named educational supervisor from their themed specialty for the full duration of the programme
• Trust-funded access to the ISCP e-portfolio
• structured teaching and educational activities
• 10 days of study leave per year
• an enhanced personal study bursary
• access to opportunities for quality improvement, research and relevant teaching

Staying in a single trust for two years ensures that locally employed doctors can develop professional and research networks with expert clinicians in a world-class research and teaching environment.

A locally employed doctor's final annual review of competence progression (ARCP) should confirm they have met the required competencies to complete core surgical training as per the Joint College of Surgical Training (JSCT) curriculum.

Locally employed doctors are expected to complete the Certificate of Readiness to Enter Higher Surgical Training (CREHST) during the programme.

Eligibility

To be considered for this programme, applicants must meet the following core requirements:

• GMC registration: Hold full registration with the General Medical Council (GMC) and a current license to practise in the UK.
• Foundation competencies: Provide evidence of completion of foundation programme competencies or an equivalent qualification, such as the Certificate of Readiness to Enter Specialty Training (CREST)

Recruitment Timeline

Applications will open in February 2026 via the Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust careers website and NHS jobs.

Milestone	Timeframe	Details
Application window opens	Early February	Applications submitted via Trust recruitment portal/NHS Jobs
Application deadline	Late February	Applications are usually open for two weeks and applicant must specify a preferred rotation
Interview period	Mid to late March	Programme leads will interview candidates
Offers	April	Programme will issue offers to successful candidates
Start date	First Wednesday in August	The programme has a fixed start date

For queries contact imperial.medical.education@nhs.net

Useful information and links: 

• Core surgery training curriculum
• Intercollegiate Surgical Curriculum Programme (ISCP)
• Royal College of Surgeons England Exams
• Imperial College London Academic Health Science Centre
• Imperial College London Department of Surgery and Cancer