ICM CCT Queries

ICM CCT training is entered at ST3 level following completion of one of four designated core programmes: Acute Care Common Stem (ACCS), Core Anaesthetic Training (CAT), Core Medical Training (CMT) or Defined Route of Entry into Emergency Medicine (DRE-EM). Trainees must have completed one of these core programmes, including its associated specialty examination: FRCA (Primary), MRCP (UK), or MCEM (Full).

The indicative minimum duration for ICM CCT training is 7 years, including both core and HST (Higher Specialist Training).

Yes, trainees will be able to apply for Intensive Care medicine Single CCT training after two years of IMT. 

Please follow this link for further details and support.

Training pathway: Group 2 specialties 

The entry criteria for ICM training as a single CCT will be two years of IMT. This is subject to the new ICM curriculum being approved by the GMC in May 2020.

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Training in Intensive Care Medicine (ICM) 

The ICM CCT programme is broken down into 3 overarching stages. Stage 1 consists of the first 4 years of training and must contain a minimum 12 months each of ICM, anaesthesia and medicine. Because trainees enter the ICM CCT from different core backgrounds, the first two years (at least – it may be more if the trainee is in ACCS) of Stage 1 will be Core training. The remaining 2 years will take place in HST, during which time trainees make up those elements of the programme in which they are deficient (so a CAT trainee will undertake medicine; a CMT trainee will undertake anaesthesia). Stage 2 is the following 2 years of training, during which time trainees undertake specialist ICM modules (Paediatric, Neuro and Cardiac ICM) and a ‘Special Skills’ year. During Stage 2 trainees must pass the FFICM exam. Stage 3 is a final 12 month block of advanced level ICM during which time trainees develop senior management skills).

Yes, you will still be eligible to apply for group 2 specialties and you may wish to complete the full three year programme to give you flexibility to apply for any specialty. Trainees will not be disadvantaged if they do not complete IMY3 if the entry criteria for a specialty only requires completion of the first two years of IMT.

Please follow this link for further details and support.

Group 1 / group 2 specialties  - https://www.jrcptb.org.uk/training-certification/new-internal-medicine-curriculum/new-im-curriculum-faqs

No. Under the previous Joint CCT system, it was technically possible for surgical trainees to enter the Joint ICM CCT. However in practice, no surgical trainee ever did so. When the standalone ICM CCT was being developed, it was found that there was insufficient competency crossover between core surgery and the other core programmes to allow trainees to enter ICM CCT training and still achieve the required standards in medicine, anaesthesia and ICM by the end of Stage 1 training. Whilst it is technically possible for a trainee to Dual train in ICM and Surgery (technically a trainee can Dual CCT in any two specialties, if a deanery is willing to pay for it) the lack of cross-mappable competencies would mean that the programme would be almost purely additive and the doctor would be in training for many years.

Yes. The ICM CCT programme has been specifically crafted, with its multiple entry core programmes, to facilitate dual accreditation. Trainees would enter the first specialty (either ICM or partner) in one recruitment episode and compete for entry to the second specialty the following year.

Yes. It is possible to subspecialise in PICM as a Single CCT trainee. Please see section 2.7 of the ICM Handbook Part 1

Please follow these links for further details and support.

1. Information for Anaesthetists and Paediatricians

2. RCPCH - Information on PICM subspecialty recognition as a FICM trainee

3. RCPCH - Information on applying for GRID training 

Yes. Up to 6 months of the 12 month Stage 1 medicine requirement can be undertaken in Emergency Medicine.

During Stage 2 trainees will be expected to develop and consolidate expertise in a special skill directly relevant to ICM practice. Areas of particular benefit to the future development of critical care and its work force are recommended including ultrasound expertise, education or research. The choice of special skill should be guided by the Programme Director to reflect the career intentions of the trainee, though the possibility of undertaking some Special Skills modules will by necessity be dictated by local availability. For example a trainee intending to practice in a more remote area may wish to develop greater paediatric expertise as these skills may be required more regularly in such an environment than in a large central hospital. Acquisition of this expertise must be as part of an FICM-approved, competency-based training programme. The Faculty is currently working on the development of specific Special Skills modules. Trainees undertaking Dual CCTs should expect to spend their Special Skills year training in their partner specialty.

No, it may not. The regulations laid down by the GMC stipulate that no overseas training can be retrospectively counted toward a UK CCT. Both the Faculty and the GMC must prospectively approve any overseas training. It would be possible for overseas time to be counted were you to apply for a CESR/CESR-CP in ICM; once a CESR/CESR-CP has been obtained, the candidate can gain entry onto the GMC Specialist Register for that specialty.

Since the formation of PMETB and its subsequent merger with the GMC, the FICM no longer directly approves training posts. The GMC approves training programmes, such as that for the ICM CCT. It does this with "specialty input". The GMC will not approve a trust to run a training programme without agreement from the specialty in question.  Support and approval is obtained from the ICM Regional Advisor by submission of the forms to the Deanery. The Deanery should then apply directly to the GMC to have the sites considered for approval. Your RA will not rotate you through a post that he/she does not believe will provide the required training standard for the programme. Simply put, if your ICM RA has rotated you to a certain post, it is approved by the FICM, via the RA as the Faculty's agent. The GMC now have a list of all approved sites on their website, please click here.