The ISCP comprises the curricula for the ten surgical specialties which are GMC-approved in the UK and MCoI-approved in the Republic of Ireland. It reflects the most up-to-date requirements for trainees who are working towards UK certification, a UK Certificate of Eligibility for Specialist Registration via a Combined Programme (CESR-CP) or, in the Republic of Ireland, a Certificate of Satisfactory Completion of Surgical Training (CSCST). Where an older version of the curriculum is superseded, trainees will be expected to transfer to the most recent version in the interests of patient safety and educational quality.
The curriculum is appropriate for trainees preparing to practice as consultant surgeons in the UK and the Republic of Ireland. It guides and supports training for UK certification, a UK Certificate of Eligibility for Specialist Registration via the Combined Programme (CESR-CP) or, in the Republic of Ireland, Certificate of Satisfactory Completion of Surgical Training (CSCST) in a surgical specialty. The curriculum enables trainees to develop as generalists within their chosen surgical specialty, to be able to deliver an on-call emergency service and to deliver more specialised services to a defined level.
Certification/CESR-CP (UK) or a CSCST (Ireland) can only be awarded to trainees who have completed a fully- or part-approved specialty training programme. Doctors applying for a full Certificate of Eligibility for Specialist Registration (CESR) in the UK will be required to demonstrate that they meet the standards required for certification/CESR-CP as set out in the most up-to-date curriculum at the time of application. Advice for non-trainees seeking specialist registration in Ireland can go to Certificates of experience or equivalent on the Medical Council website.