Programmes | NTNs

The format of NTN is to change and will be auto-created based on the characteristics of the trainee Programme Curriculum Membership (PCM):

NTN number is to be based on new criteria = location of training + speciality + trainee’s GMC number + single letter suffix (for example identifying whether the trainee is on a programme aimed at delivering a CCT or CESR (CP) etc + whether they are academic trainees), details below taken from a draft text going into the Gold Guide:

3.14       Following appointment to a specialty training programme, a National Training Number (NTN) or Dean’s Reference Number (DRN) will be awarded. This includes trainees working in NHS and non-NHS employment but not in LAT posts.
3.15       NTNs will only be awarded to doctors in specialty training programmes that (subject to satisfactory progress) have an end point of the award of a CCT or CESR(CP)/
CEGPR(CP).
3.16       Core trainees will not be awarded NTNs but will be awarded DRNs. These training numbers are for administrative purposes and do not confer any entitlement to entry to further specialty training.
3.17       The NTN or DRN is unique to the trainee for the period the trainee holds the number in that specialty training programme. The NTN or DRN may be changed for a given trainee if that trainee is subsequently appointed competitively to a different specialty or academic programme.
3.18       A trainee should not hold more than one training number (NTN or DRN) at the same time except in circumstances approved by the Postgraduate Dean.
3.19       Where a NTN or DRN has been issued, it will be held so long as the trainee is in specialty training or is out of programme on statutory grounds, or for out of programme activity that has been agreed with the Postgraduate Dean.
3.20       The NTN is a numeric code which identifies the location of training, the speciality, the GMC number of the holder and a single letter suffix (for example identifying whether the trainee is on a programme aimed at delivering a CCT or CESR (CP) etc and whether they are academic trainees). Detail on the configuration of the NTN and a table of permitted specialty and subspecialty combinations can be found in the NTN Appendix available on the COPMeD website.
3.21       The specialty component of an NTN will consist of a concatenation of specialty/subspecialty codes to reflect all the curricula a trainee is undertaking as part of their training programme.

For Discussion

The purpose is to support educational planning and management, enabling postgraduate deans to keep track of location and progress of trainees. NTNs also inform workforce planning

#		Comment	Owner
1	following appointment to a programme, an NTN (national training number) or Deans Reference Number (DRN) will be awarded what’s the difference between the two? which one is used when?
2	for docs in NHS and non-NHS employment, but not for LAT posts what’s a LAT post? does HEE look after non-NHS roles? ie should we be concerned with this?
3	trainees should only have 1, except in pre-approved circumstances NTN should change to reflect that a trainee is undertaking a dual or sub-specialty programme what should be done about those with multiple NTNs now?
4	where NTN is issued, it will be held so long as trainee is in specialty training trainee is out of programme on statutory grounds or agreed out of programme how do we know this is true for a trainee?
5	NTN’s only awarded to programmes with CCT or CESR/CESP/CEGPR/CEGCP in order to receive the final award, they must have NTN is a flag needed for those who do not have an NTN at a certain point in their training? What should the single letter suffx be, assuming there needs to be one for each of the following - CCT / CESR / CESP / CEGPR / CEGCP - can they be defined by TIS?
6	core trainees will be awarded DRN, not NTN how is a DRN different / made up?
7	NTN’s are persisted through the lifetime of a programme even through research or career breaks How is this currently handled?
8	where inter-deanery transfer takes place, a new NTN to be issued What should the trigger point be?
9	NTN is removed where completion of training is assessed as unstable to continue does not comply with requirements for maintaining their registration with Postgraduate Den does not hold GC number resigns is dismissed is erased/suspended from medical register at Dean’s discretion What should be the process be to "remove" an NTN? (New scenario)
10	where an NTN has been removed it can be reinstated with the old one?
11	Some specialty training award NTN(I) who specifically should have this? how do we structure the number?
12	Defence Medical Services - Successful candidates for specialty training will be selected as required by the DMS. Those appointed as Specialty Registrar (StR) will be awarded a DPMD NTN by the Defence Postgraduate Medical Dean and the prefix of the NTN will remain “TSD” to designate the trainee as a Defence Deanery trainee once this is complete, they need to seek training as a civilian and will be awarded a new NTN relinquish DPMD NTN whats the current process?