Following a successful pilot in three deaneries in 2010, London Deanery was approached to work with the General Surgery Specialist Advisory Committee (SAC) to develop a model for national selection that encompassed the SAC designed interview methodology and ensured a fair, transparent and efficient process.

The National General Surgery Recruitment Working Group

Since 2008, the SAC in General Surgery have developed and piloted an interview scoring methodology for selection of candidates into ST3 General Surgery training. Following a successful pilot in three deaneries in 2010, London Deanery was approached to work with the SAC to develop a model for national selection that encompassed the SAC designed interview methodology and ensured a fair, transparent and efficient process.

A selection board has been set up, comprising Programme Directors, Heads of School representatives, members of the SAC working party and representatives of London Deanery (the Lead Deanery for General Surgery). It has considered various ways in which the SAC model could be applied in practice. The agreed plan involves the following steps:

• All applicants will apply through London Deanery (as the Lead Deanery) using a standardised on line application form
• Applicants will rank their preferred deaneries in order and can indicate any deaneries they do not wish to be considered for
• Longlisting will be rigorous to ensure the entry criteria are met
• Shortlisting will only be used if the number of applicants exceeds interview capacity
• All interviews will be held in a single centre in London with panels made up of trained selectors from all over the country
• The SAC multi-station selection centre methodology will be used
• A minimum acceptable score for appointment will be agreed
• A single rank order list will be created
• Posts will be allocated using a system which matches the applicants' ranks at interview with their preferred order of deaneries.  

2012 Application process

Applications open: 2 February 2012
Applications close: 1 March 2012 

Further details will be available on the General Surgery Advert once published.

To apply visit the London Deanery national recruitment website

The anticipated rotation frequency for this programme is 6 months.

Successful completion of this placement will lead to the achievement of acquiring competences in General Surgery.

The expected duration of this programme is 6 years.

Nationally agreed person specification that lists the required competences is available on the Medical Specialty Training website.