Information for trainees
Progressing with your rotational modules
The following resources will support you with your OTAs:
- Thinking reflectively for Observational Training Activities (OTAs) (NHS Learning Hub resource)
- Developing evidence for Observational Training Activities (OTAs) (NHS Learning Hub resource)
- The NSHCS work-based assessment standards, which outline the evidence requirements for OTAs
Do you need support with your specialist modules?
If you are in phases 2 or 3 of the STP, you will be undertaking specialist modules where you will undertake Developmental Training Activities (DTAs) and /or Entrustable Training Activities (ETAs).
The following resources will support you with your specialist training activities:
- Read the NSHCS work-based assessment standards, which outline the evidence requirements for DTAs and ETAs
- Developing evidence to demonstrate achievement of training activities (NHS Learning Hub resource)
- New: Undertaking specialist modules in the STP (NHS Learning Hub resource)
Updated completion guidance for final year trainees
We have updated the STP completion guidance on the school website to include guidance on STP completion in 2026, which applies to all trainees from 2023 on the new curriculum. Please familiarise yourself with this information in order to support your preparation to complete your programmes.
Read the STP completion guidance
For trainees on the old curriculum or who are out of sync due to extension or interruption, guidance is also available on your completion requirements on the website.
Read the CTP completion guidance for trainees not on the new STP curriculum
Do you need support with developing evidence for the module S-C1 Professional Foundations of Healthcare and Clinical Science?
We are offering the following online session to help you with developing evidence for the core module S-C1 Professional Foundations of Healthcare and Clinical Science.
Developing evidence for the STP module: S-C1 Professional Foundations of Healthcare and Clinical Science
Wednesday 21 January 2026 – 10:30am to 12pm
This session is for STP trainees. The main aims are to:
- Introduce you to the principles of what makes ‘good’ evidence
- Apply the principles to developing evidence to the core module ‘S-C1 Professional Foundations of Healthcare and Clinical Science‘
- Explore reflective practice in relation to the module S-C1
View further details and register for this webinar
New animations to help you understand work-based assessments
The school has published a series of 3 animations about the various types of work-based assessment, to help trainees, their trainers and assessors to swiftly understand the purpose of each type of assessment and how they should be completed.
The series comprises animations about:
- training activities
- observed assessments
- case-based discussions
Watch the animations about work-based assessments
Proposed changes to the STP curricula – your thoughts
Last year we started the rolling review process for the STP curricula to ensure they remain current and useful. Your feedback, submitted through the Curriculum Library, has been used by Lead Editors to identify changes required to the curricula.
We’re now asking for your thoughts on the more significant ‘major’ changes proposed by Lead Editors, to ensure that the curriculum remains deliverable and fit for purpose. This year, major changes have been proposed for the Core curriculum, Clinical Bioinformatics Genomics, Genomic Counselling, Imaging with Non-Ionising Radiation – MRI, Radiation Safety and Diagnostic Radiology and Radiotherapy Physics.
The survey linked to below enables you to see the major changes proposed in areas you are interested in and to feedback on them. The feedback window will be open until Friday 6 February.
Provide feedback on STP curriculum major changes
STP with Cynthia
Cynthia Ugwu is an STP trainee in Cancer Genomics. Cynthia has created a YouTube channel which documents her journey on the STP.
Part of the channel sees Cynthia interview STP trainees from different specialties to understand more about the different areas of healthcare and clinical science and to provide an insight into ‘a day in the life’ of STP trainees. She would like volunteers from the following specialties to complete her set of interviews:
- Clinical Microbiology
- Embryology
If you are interested, please contact Cynthia directly by email cynthia.ugwu1@nhs.net
View ‘STP with Cynthia’ on YouTube
Sharing Good Practice webinar series
Higher Specialist Scientist Training (HSST)
Thursday 22 January 2026 – 1pm to 2pm
View further details and register for this webinar (inactive link)
Developing professionalism in practice
Wednesday 18 March 2026 – 11am to 12pm
View further details and register for this webinar
Search and browse our catalogue of Sharing Good Practice resources
The West Midlands Healthcare Scientist Trainee Network
The West Midlands Healthcare Scientist Trainee Network (WMHCSTN) aims to help and support STP trainees throughout their training. The WMHCSTN board hosts regular networking and training events which include:
- Networking events including welcome events for new STPs, research events and Professional Foundations events.
- Journal Clubs where STPs can present to healthcare professionals in a different speciality. This is a great way to complete some professional practice TAs/OCEs!
Our sessions give trainees the chance to learn from and train others, as well as the opportunity to showcase their individual professional development and MSc Research Projects. Our events have inspirational guest speakers and give trainees the opportunity to network across STP specialties. These events will be advertised on our Engage page and via the mailing list (see links below).
We’d love to hear from you!
If you would like to be part of the network or join the board as a general member, please follow this link to join the mailing list: http://eepurl.com/dBL5Az
You can also join us on Engage for discussion and journal club sign-ups – https://tinyurl.com/yawdpupa
If you have any further questions, please get in touch with us via email at westmidlandshcstn@gmail.com
Information for Training Officers
Proposed changes to the STP curricula – your thoughts
Last year we started the rolling review process for the STP curricula to ensure they remain current and useful. Your feedback, submitted through the Curriculum Library, has been used by Lead Editors to identify changes required to the curricula.
We’re now asking for your thoughts on the more significant ‘major’ changes proposed by Lead Editors, to ensure that the curriculum remains deliverable and fit for purpose. This year, major changes have been proposed for the Core curriculum, Clinical Bioinformatics Genomics, Genomic Counselling, Imaging with Non-Ionising Radiation – MRI, Radiation Safety and Diagnostic Radiology and Radiotherapy Physics.
The survey linked to below enables you to see the major changes proposed in areas you are interested in and to feedback on them. The feedback window will be open until Friday 6 February.
Provide feedback on STP curriculum major changes
Supporting your trainee with their rotations
The following resources will support you in supporting your trainee with their rotations:
- Supporting and assessing your trainee with reflection for Observational Training Activities (OTAs) (NHS Learning Hub resource)
- Supporting trainees with Observational Training Activities (NHS Learning Hub resource)
- Read the NSHCS work-based assessment standards, which outline the evidence requirements for OTAs
Do you need help with supporting your trainees with S-C1 Professional Foundations of Healthcare and Clinical Science?
We are offering the following online session to help you to support your trainee with developing evidence for the core module S-C1 Professional Foundations of Healthcare and Clinical Science.
Supporting trainees in developing evidence for the STP module: S-C1 Professional Foundations of Healthcare and Clinical Science
Friday 23 January 2026 – 10:30am to 12pm
This session is for STP trainers and assessors. The main aims are to:
- Introduce you to the principles of what makes ‘good’ evidence
- Apply the principles to developing evidence to the core module ‘S-C1 Professional Foundations of Healthcare and Clinical Science‘
- Explore reflective practice in relation to the module S-C1
View further details and register for this webinar (inactive link)
Express an interest in hosting trainees on the STP, ETP and HSST programmes
The school is pleased to announce that the portal to express an interest in hosting trainees has re-opened, providing an additional opportunity to host trainees across the Scientist Training Programme (STP), the Echocardiography Training Programme (ETP), and the Higher Specialist Scientist Training (HSST) programme.
This re-opening represents a valuable strategic opportunity to secure fully-funded training places, enabling trusts to build and develop a workforce equipped to meet future service demands and contribute to the ambitions of the NHS 10 Year Health Plan.
By hosting trainees, trusts can:
- strengthen workforce capacity in key scientific roles
- invest in future talent to support innovation and service transformation
- align with national priorities for healthcare science and longterm workforce sustainability
To support new providers who have not previously hosted healthcare science trainees, the school will be delivering a dedicated accreditation webinar - further details to follow.
We strongly encourage trusts to take advantage of this opportunity to help shape the future of healthcare science and ensure services are prepared for the next decade and beyond. The links to each of the expression of interest portals are below.
STP posts in Urodynamic Science and Intraoperative Neuromonitoring are available in 2026
STP training posts are available in 2026 for Urodynamic Science and Intraoperative Neuromonitoring. Trusts can express an interest in hosting a trainee in these specialties via the expression of interest portal linked to above.
Read about the new STP pathway in Intraoperative Neuromonitoring
View the Urodynamic Science curriculum
New animations to help you understand work-based assessments
The school has published a series of 3 animations about the various types of work-based assessment, to help trainees, their trainers and assessors to swiftly understand the purpose of each type of assessment and how they should be completed.
The series comprises animations about:
- training activities
- observed assessments
- case-based discussions
Watch the animations about work-based assessments
Sharing Good Practice webinar series
Higher Specialist Scientist Training (HSST)
Thursday 22 January 2026 – 1pm to 2pm
View further details and register for this webinar (inactive link)
Developing professionalism in practice
Wednesday 18 March 2026 – 11am to 12pm
View further details and register for this webinar
Search and browse our catalogue of Sharing Good Practice resources
Are you using AI in your clinical practice?
If you or your network are using AI in your clinical practice, we would like to invite you to present your experience as part of our Sharing Good Practice series. If you are interested, please express an interest via the form linked to below.
Express an interest in sharing your practice
Have Your Say: HCPC Consultation on Education and Training Standards
The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) are consulting on proposed changes to their Standards of Education and Training (SETs), which underpin the quality of programmes for the 15 health and care professions they regulate. These standards are central to the HCPC’s role in protecting the public by ensuring that anyone qualifying in the UK has the skills and knowledge to deliver safe, effective care. Proposed changes include:
- a new structure
- stronger EDI focus
- technology readiness
- applies to all learning models
The consultation is open for 13 weeks, closing 16 February 2026.
Share your views via the consultation survey
Do you need speak to someone at the School?
If you’re involved in training for the Scientist Training Programme (STP) we have planned drop-in events throughout the year. You can drop in any time during these sessions to speak to us.
View for further details, including the dates of the drop-in sessions
Missed a previous edition of the STP Monthly Memo?
You will find previous copies of the STP Monthly Memo on our website.