A question about NHS consultants

[Flugreeny]

I was just googling my DDs consultant

And I couldn’t find him on the “specialist register”. But from googling I can see that all consultants are required to be on the specialist register before they can call themselves a consultant? Is that correct?

I’ve actually looked him up by his GMC number and he is definitely not registered?

What does his GMC number say he is then....just a medical doctor?

You should be able to find them via the GMC site.

However there are exceptions made in some circumstances e.g. if you are a locum you may not be on the specialist register but still have the appropriate competency to do the job - it isn't ideal but if it's that or have no-one then you'll have the locum

I've worked with 2 locums who weren't on the register, one because he qualified abroad - perfectly competent just not on the GMC system, and one who was qualifying as a consultant through a non-standard training route - again totally competent, wouldn't come up on a search.

I’ve found them on the GMC site. Pic attached.

But his letters say “consultant surgeon”

You're sometimes out under consultant care but seen by one of the consultant's team of doctors so could be an SHO or a registrar. Not sure why you can't find any record though

Does he have FRCS after his name?

@kitkatsky

You're sometimes out under consultant care but seen by one of the consultant's team of doctors so could be an SHO or a registrar. Not sure why you can't find any record though

Yes DD has seen registrars before but this time she saw the consultant. His letter literally says Consultant Surgeon

@MyCatDribbles

Does he have FRCS after his name?

Lots of us aren’t wanky enough to put all of our post-nomials on our letters! You rack up a lot in medicine.

Not putting them on his letters doesn’t mean he doesn’t have them.

They could be an "acting consultant" which they can do 3 months prior to the completion of training. Its a stepping stone before full Consultant role.

Otherwise yes it does sound a bit odd.

Their registration on the specialist register could also have lapsed if they are due to revalidate in the next month or so and have yet to be seen by the GMC revalidation panel. Happens quite frequently, especially after covid, nothing remis about it, more of an admin issue. Just means ppl aren't visible on the specialist register for a brief period. Most likely scenario tbh.

If they are a locum consultant they do not need to be on the specialist register. Does not mean they aren't qualified for the post

A colleague of mine forgot to register with the specialist registrar and didn’t realise for years, it is actually a big deal for job progression etc. Luckily he got it resolved.

If he is a very new consultant his paperwork could be pending.

Honestly not sure.

Is it for something teeth related? There are dental specialties and people on those lists would be in the GDC registers and would can be consultant surgeons?

@MyCatDribbles

Does he have FRCS after his name?

That doesn't mean someone is a Consultant or eligible for the Specislist Register though. Most hospital doctors will become Fellows of their relevant Royal College (or Members depending on the College) at some point during their years as a Specialist Registrar. Plenty of non Consultants in both training and non training grades will have achieved Fellowships or Memnberships. OP, there are several possible explanations. The Consultant could have been appointed before the specialist register came into being (1997 if I recall rightly) or could be a locum. I'm a bit out of date as it's a long time since I had a role in NHS recruitment and I didn't work for a Foundation Trust, but I believe that there are some rules around Consultant recruitment that Foundation Trusts don't have to follow, so it could also be something related to that.

I don’t think it’s the 1997 rule as he is relatively young (40s I’d guess)?

He’s been at the trust for 3 years so possibly a locum? But when I looked at the trust website the locum consultants are clearly marked as “locum consultants”

Ring the hospital and ask?

@Flugreeny i work as a hospital consultant and have two consultant colleagues who are not on the specialist register. Theyhave what is called CESR instead.
A uk training scheme with all exams done whilst in that training scheme gives you a CCT. This means certificate of completion of training and means you can be entered on the specialist register. Someone who took exams whilst not on recognised training scheme will get CESR or certification of equivalence of specialist training. The same applies if someone who trained wholly or partly outside of UK can provide evidence that they have received equivalent training.
In my department one colleague trained in Australia the other required extra time to gain the first part of their exam so officially were not regarded as training when they got the exam.
I suspect something similar is the case with your DD’s consultant. When you look them up on the GMC site and scroll to the bottom of their entry there is a further info tab which should say they can be employed at any level in the NHS.