Genitourinary Medicine (GUM)
Introduction
The Training Scheme in Genitourinary Medicine (GUM) offers a comprehensive and structured training programme for Specialty Registrars (SpRs) seeking the Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT).
GUM is a multidisciplinary, cutting edge, evidence driven specialty. Core elements include the management, surveillance and prevention of transmission of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), HIV and other blood borne viruses in young persons and adults, in addition to elements of contraception, psychosexual medicine, genital dermatology, gynaecology and a knowledge of laboratory based techniques needed to diagnose the above conditions. GUM SpRs will require exemplary communication skills and will experience working with a wide variety of vulnerable groups including <18s, commercial sex workers, incarcerated patients, men who have sex with men and trafficked populations. Principles of ethics, consent and confidentiality will be taught in addition to working with both adult and child safeguarding services and with those who have experienced domestic or sexual violence or who are victims of sexual assault or exploitation.
Vision
The vision for the Specialty School of Genitourinary Medicine is:
• World class education for world-class healthcare
• Excellence of postgraduate training and education
• Producing clinical leaders of tomorrow
Training programme
A Pan-London/KSS STC manages appointments to the rotations and oversees quality of training. Once appointed, trainees are allocated to a geographical London region (South London, North West and North Central & East London). Generally, they will remain in this region for the entirety of their training and their supervision. When preferencing a sector / rotation, applicants should be prepared to train in all the trusts stated during the programme.
We provide training at world-renowned training institutions as well as a number of excellent district general hospitals. Working with a diverse healthcare population across London, trainees will treat a cross-section of patients and medical conditions in urban communities. London with its rich variety of cultures, nationalities and social backgrounds offers any trainee a full and rewarding experience in Genitourinary Medicine.
Training is based around both the experience gained from attachments in community integrated sexual health services and acute trusts as well as a programme of training days. Each attachment provides experience in the core areas of GUM outlined above. Out of Programme (OOP) experience to other centres may be arranged on an individual basis to provide experience in specialist areas not fully covered within individual programmes. Full time trainees currently achieve a singly accredited CCT in GUM over 4 year period. From August 2022 GUM will be a new group 1 specialty, dually accrediting with Internal Medicine.
Entry to the Training programme is via the Physician training route after gaining full MRCP. The first two years are spent accumulating experience in the basic management of STIs and their complications, contraception and HIV in outpatient and inpatient settings. By the end of the second year of training, trainees should have passed the Diploma in Genitourinary Medicine. The final two years are spent consolidating clinical experience, specialist interests and skills, together with service development, management and leadership skills. Trainees will acquire relevant experience in Gynaecology, Dermatology, Laboratory Methodology, Public Health, Teaching, Sexual Assault Management and Child Protection as well as undertaking audit and research projects. OOPEs and projects involving work overseas are encouraged. The Diploma in HIV Medicine is a critical progression point and is required for CCT in GUM. Currently the Diploma of the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare and the Letter of competence in Subdermal Implants are also mandatory requirements by the time of CCT.
Specialty units/areas in London
We provide GUM training in London across 3 geographic areas across 7 distinct rotations, as follows:
1. North Central and East London:
i) The Mortimer Market Centre and Archway Sexual Health centre
ii) The Royal London and St Bartholomew’s Hospital
2. North West London:
iii) Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, Dean Street Clinic and 10 Hammersmith Broadway
iv) St Mary’s Hospital
3. South London:
v) Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital
vi) King’s College Hospital
vii) St George’s/Croydon and Kingston Hospitals/SW London Sexual health Clinic, CLCH
Please see links to Hospitals job descriptions below:
Bart’s Health NHS Trust JD – Here
Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust JD – Here
Croydon University Hospital JD – Here
King’s College Hospital JD – Here
Kingston Hospital JD – Here
St George’s University Hospital/Central London Community Healthcare JD – Here
Mortimer Market Centre, North Central London JD – Here
Chelsea and Westminster Hospital JD – Here
Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust JD – Here
Specialty Training Board Information
The London Specialty School of Medicine holds Genitourinary Medicine Specialty Training Committee (STC) meetings three times per year. The purpose of this group is to bring together trainee representatives and specialty leads from postgraduate medical training programmes across the three London areas, to consider issues of mutual interest in relation to Genitourinary Medicine training, and to foster and share good training practice Pan-London.
Useful Information and Links
GUM curriculum - click here
ePortfolio - click here
GUM specialty page on JRCPTB website - click here
PGMDE Trainee Support Portal - click here
Events
To access events for your specialty please access the Events Calendar on the Home Page, select the timeframe and specialty for a full list of your specialties Regional Training Days.
If you are an event organiser, please fill Event's Booking form here - click here
Enquiries
Please submit these through the trainee portal - click here
Telephone
020 7866 3219
