Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists

A Subspecialty Board first met in December 1984 as a sub-committee of the Higher Training Committee. The Board was created to fulfil some of the recommendations of the Working Party on Further Specialisation within Obstetrics and Gynaecology and the Sub-specialisation Advisory Group. In July 1988 the Board became a standing committee. Its present remit is to advise and keep under review the development of subspecialisation in four fields (gynaecological oncology, reproductive medicine, maternal and fetal medicine, and urogynaecology) including requirements and regulations for subspecialist training and accreditation. It is also responsible for establishing the criteria and procedures for approval of subspecialty trainees, training centres and training programmes, and for subspecialist accreditation on completion of training. The Committee:

• Ensures visits are arranged to assess prospective training centres and trainees in post.
  • Makes recommendations to the Education Board regarding the recognition of centres and programmes on the basis of advice provided in the visitors' reports.

• Makes recommendations to the Education Board regarding the award of certificates of Subspecialist Accreditation on the basis of advice provided in visitors' reports following trainee final review visits.

  • Provides feedback to programme directors on the progress of trainees based on information submitted in the visitors' reports following mid-term review visits.
  • Liaises with programme directors to ensure the syllabi, requirements for training and the various application and report forms are updated appropriately.
  • Keeps statistics on current and past trainees, including manpower and funding information, and the number of centres and programmes approved.

  The Committee reports to the Education Board, meeting four times a year and is serviced by the College's Postgraduate Training Department.