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Position statements
Sometimes we are asked for help in interpreting our guidance. Our collection of position statements look at specific areas where we have been asked to provide further clarity or information.
Our guidance
These position statements are to support specific topics within our guidance. To get the most from them, you should be familiar with our guidance.
Position statements

Absences from training in the Foundation Programme
This statement provides clear guidance on the management of absences from training in the Foundation Programme.

Approval of foundation programme training and new programmes for PR doctors outside the UK
This statement sets out criteria for approval of Foundation Programme training and new programmes for provisionally registered doctors.

First, do no harm
This statement is about how the safety of patients is at the core of our new standards for education and training. This includes the expectation that training should take place in an open and honest learning culture.

Guidance on UK medical education delivered outside the UK
This guidance outlines our expectations of medical schools that want to provide UK medical education outside the UK.

Improving the National Consistency and Approval of Dual CCT Training Programmes
This document sets out our requirements for deaneries and local offices in relation to delivering dual certificate of completion of training (CCT) programmes.

Improving the National Consistency and Approval of Sub-Specialty Training Programmes
This document sets out our requirements for deaneries and local offices who are delivering sub-specialty training programmes and for the royal colleges who write sub-specialty curricula.

Less than full time training
This statement sets conditions for training for doctors who are working towards a certificate of completion of training.

Moving doctors in training to current specialty curricula
This document sets out our requirements for trainees to transfer to the most recent GMC approved curriculum.

National training numbers appendix
This document explains the format of National Training Numbers (NTNs) that is required since the publication of the 7th edition of the Gold Guide.

Oral and maxilofacial surgery
This statement clarifies trainee progression into the specialty of oral and maxillofacial surgery. It covers requirements for entry, how those wanting to enter the specialty training can reduce the time they spend in core surgical training and more.

Requirements for gaining competence in cardiopulmonary resuscitation
Our position on cardiopulmonary resuscitation in relation to medical education and training. We explain the flexibility in the outcomes expected of medical students and doctors.

Recognising and approving trainers implementation plan
How and why we approve GP trainers and publish a list of those approved. We also explain how and why we recognise specialty, foundation and undergraduate trainers.

Time out of training
Guidance to postgraduate deaneries, medical royal colleges/faculties and trainees on the management of absences from training and their effect on a trainee’s certificate of completion of training (CCT) date.

The role of UK and overseas exams in approved curricula
This paper clarifies the position of exams within our approved curricula, in particular exams undertaken outside the UK (both in and out of Europe).