Many Group 2 physician specialties accept early years paediatric training as an alternative to internal medicine training. This includes: allergy, audiovestibular medicine, aviation and space medicine, clinical genetics, clinical neurophysiology, dermatology, haematology, immunology, nuclear medicine, paediatric cardiology and rehabilitation medicine.

The JRCPTB and Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health have reviewed the appropriate level of paediatric training which should be reached to enter higher training in these specialties. The decision was that this should be completion of ST3-level capabilities, as defined by the Paediatric RCPCH Progress+ curriculum; which is a change from the current ST2-level. All affected curricula and person specifications are in the process of being updated for 2025 recruitment.

This means that demonstration of paediatric capability will be via one of the following routes:

• Current employment in a UK paediatric training programme, which leads to successful completion of paediatric capabilities commensurate with a trainee who has completed ST3, as defined by the Paediatric RCPCH Progress+ curriculum, by the advertised post start date. 
• Evidence of achievement of paediatric capabilities commensurate with a trainee who has completed ST3, as defined by the Paediatric RCPCH Progress+ curriculum, by point of application. Acceptable evidence is only permitted via the ‘Certificate of Completion of Progress+ Paediatric ST3 Capabilities’; this can be downloaded from: https://phstrecruitment.org.uk/documents

The minimum paediatric experience requirements in which these capabilities must be gained is: 24 months’ (whole time equivalent) experience including at least 6 months in Neonatology and 6 months in General Paediatrics (not including Foundation modules) by the advertised post start date.

Person specifications for 2025 recruitment will be published by September 2024.