Colleges, Deaneries, Societies, and Trusts

This section of the web site provides access to information about the main organisations that are responsible for undergraduate and post-graduate medical education. If you are interested in a specific career pathway, then you may find additional information on the respective College site. Some of the Colleges have student sections and student membership options and provide additional information on how you can become more involved with a College, prizes that may be available as well as elective awards.

Royal Colleges

There is a Royal College or a Faculty of a Royal College for each medical discipline and it is the responsibility of these organisations to set the standards of practice in their specialties. Traditionally, the focus of activity has been on the training of new entrants. More recently, the colleges have emphasised the continuing professional development of their members. Admission is usually by examination.

It is the role of the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges to help co-ordinate the work of the Medical Royal Colleges and Faculties. Further information about the role and activities of each organisation can be found at the following links:

Deaneries

The Deaneries are responsible for implementing and managing the Foundation Programmes through foundation schools.

The London Deanery is responsible for postgraduate medical and dental training in North and South London.

Complete list of all the Deaneries.

NHS Trusts

The National Health Service or NHS as it is more commonly known, was set up on the 5th July 1948 to provide healthcare for all citizens, based on need, not the ability to pay. The NHS is funded by the taxpayer and managed by the Department of Health

The organisations that at present run the NHS at a local level are Strategic Health Authorities and Trusts. If you are thinking of working in the NHS, then it makes sense to know who your employer is, so if you know what hospital you might be working in find out about the trust by visiting NHS Choices and selecting Authorities and Trusts.

If you need to locate a hospital then you can use the search facility on the home page of the NHS Choices web site.