Acute Care Common Stem (ACCS)
This training scheme provides 3 years of Core Training, usually following F2, though more experienced applicants are welcome. If you are planning a career in Anaesthesia or Medicine, this is an alternative to the Core Specialty Training route to Specialty Training. If you are thinking of a career in Intensive Care Medicine, or combining an Intensive Care interest with another specialty, then this is the ideal start. For Emergency Physicians it is the only Core Training scheme available.
Ideally suited to those planning a career in an acute hospital, it provides a solid base of experience and skills that will be developed further in your chosen "parent" speciality. You will gain experience in the skills needed to rapidly assess and appropriately treat sick patients. It comprises four 6-month attachments in each of Emergency Medicine, Acute Medicine, Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine, followed by a third year in the parent specialty.
ACCS Training is available in the following Welsh hospitals:
- University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff (8 posts)
- Morriston, Swansea (8 posts)
- Grange University Hospital/ABUHB (16 posts)
- Ysbyty Gwynedd, Bangor (4 posts)
- Wrexham Maelor (4 posts)
You will remain in the same hospital for at least 2 years (usually all 3) and will therefore be able to develop your understanding of how care of the sick patient is organised and dealt with throughout the hospital. Application to ACCS is through your chosen parent speciality - you cannot apply for ACCS on its own. The parent specialities are Anaesthesia, Medicine and Emergency Medicine; it is also the recommended route to Specialty Training in Intensive Care Medicine.
Anaesthesia: If you apply through Anaesthesia there are 10 posts available for ACCS training in Wales. There is one application form for Core Anaesthesia and ACCS-Anaesthesia; everyone is interviewed together, and you will rank your preference for the different ACCS / Core Anaesthesia posts available. Posts will be allocated according to candidate preference, with priority going to (s)he who has the highest interview score.
Emergency Medicine: ACCS training comprises the first 3 years of a 6 year training programme in Emergency Medicine, and there are 8 posts available in Wales. Successful applicants will be provided with a run-through programme which, subject to satisfactory progress, will lead to a CCT in Emergency Medicine.
Medicine: If you want to train as a physician, there are 2 ACCS posts available in Wales. This is a particularly good start for those planning a career in Acute Medicine, but can lead to Specialty Training in any of the medical specialties. There is one application form for Core Medical Training and ACCS-Medicine; everyone is interviewed together, and you will rank your preference for the different ACCS / CMT posts available. Posts will be allocated according to candidate preference, with priority going to (s)he who has the highest interview score.
Intensive Care: The first Specialty Trainees in Intensive Care Medicine were appointed in August 2012. ACCS Training through any of the parent streams provides eligibility to apply at ST3 level. Currently there are no plans to introduce ACCS posts with Intensive Care as the Parent Specialty. A list of FAQs about Training in Intensive Care is provided below.
For further information please visit Wales Deanery website, or ACCS UK website
Contacts
Training Programme Director: Dr Louise Allman
Consultant Anaesthetist, Aneurin Bevan UHB
Email: Louise.Allman2@wales.nhs.uk
ACCS Lead for Anaesthesia Wales: Dr Natalie Mincher
Consultant Anaesthetist, Aneurin Bevan UHB
Email: Natalie.Mincher@wales.nhs.uk
Social Media
There is an ACCS Wales Facebook Group and Twitter account. On Facebook, please search for ACCS Wales and join the group, it is open to everyone. You are welcome to use it to share information or to put questions to other members of the group. For Twitter: follow @ACCSWales to receive information, reminders and updates.
Developed in collaboration with, and supported by, the Wales Deanery