Curriculum, training and exams

These pages provide information on training, study and exam matters.

Key training-related contacts in SESSA

Regional Advisor: Dr Linzi Peacock

Stage 1 TPD: Dr Ollie Daly

Stage 2/3 TPD: Dr Jeremy Morton

RIE Stage 1 College Tutor: Dr Jennie Irvine

RIE Stage 2 College Tutor: Dr Andrew Grant

RIE Stage 3 College Tutor: Dr Phil Docherty

WGH College Tutor: Dr Faisal Jafar

SJH College Tutor: Dr Sarah Cross

RHCYP College Tutor: Dr Naomi May

BGH College Tutor: Dr Rachel Harvey

Fife College Tutor: Dr Simon Bolton

FVH College Tutor: Dr Gordon Stewart

Additional content available if logged in.

HALO sign offs

Information about the HALO sign off policy for completing units of training in you LLP (policy document pending from Ollie Daly).

HALO Signatories Oct 2022 (login)

Stage 3 SIA Local Guidance

A local guide to planning, application, navigation and delivery of your Stage 3 SIA options- includes application form

Stage 3 SIA Local Guidance (login)
SESSA Stage 3 SIA- Obstetric Anaesthesia (further info) (login)

Study leave

All trainees are entitles to study leave and study leave funding for educational activities.

SESSA Study Leave Policy 2023 (login)

Educational Development Time

As mandated by RCOA, all anaesthetists in training should get Educational Development Time: non-clinical rota'd time to meet the non-clinical curriculum requirements.

Educational Development Time in SESSA (login)

Subspecialisms

Airway in SJH

Obstetrics in SCRH

Neuroanaesthesia in DCN

Cardiac, vascular, orthopaedic, transplant & bariatric in RIE

Major Colorectal in WGH

Paediatrics in RHCYP

Pain Medicine in SESSA

Exam preparation

Primary FRCA Part A Course

This course teaches the theoretical knowledge needed for the primary FRCA examination. It runs over 2 semesters: the first from August to December teaching more clinically relevant theory, on Wednesday afternoons in RIE, and the second from February to July teaching basic science theory, on Thursday afternoons in SJH.

The RIE semester is run by Dr Andrew Grant, and the SJH semester is run by Dr Rowena Clarke.

Primary FRCA Viva Course

This course runs for the 6 weeks leading up to each sitting of the Primary FRCA SOE or viva exam, and provides individual structured viva practice with tutors. It is run in SJH on Thursday afternoons.

This course is run by Dr Mairi Crawford.

Primary FRCA OSCE Mock

In advance of each sitting of the Primary FRCA OSCE exam, a full length mock exam with feedback is run in RIE.

This course is run by Dr Alex Trotman.

Final FRCA CRQ/MCQ Course

This course runs in the lead up to both sittings of the Final FRCA written exam. It is organised by Dr Helen Usher and Dr David Falzon.

Final FRCA Viva Course

Preparation and practice in the lead up to both sittings of the Final FRCA SOE. The course is organised by Dr Alistair Simpson.