Completion of a recognised management training course is a mandatory requirement for training. Options include:

• RCP Doctors as Leaders accreditation (two one day courses)
• The RCP’s MSc in Medical Leadership and Management 
• Involvement in the Faculty of Medical Leadership and Management (FMLM) (events throughout the year)
• Oxford Medical run commercial FMLM-approved courses too

The Respiratory Curriculum (2010) states that:

Knowledge of the NHS, and of how it is constituted, financed and administered, is essential for those practising within it. So, too, is a whole range of personal attributes required if the modern doctor is to function competently within the NHS, including leadership skills, team working skills, personal organisation abilities and time management abilities.

Leadership and management skills are now explicitly outlined in the curriculum, with a much heavier emphasis than in years gone by. Section C of the syllabus is entirely dedicated to medical leadership and includes a number of specific domains:

• C1: Self awareness
• C2: Self management
• C3: Self development
• C4: Developing networks
• C5: Building and maintaining relationships
• C6: Working within teams
• C7: Planning
• C8: Managing resources
• C9: Managing people
• C10: Managing performance
• C11: Ensuring patient safety
• C12: Encouraging innovation
• C13: Facilitating transformation
• C14: Identifying the contexts for change
• C15: Applying knowledge and evidence
• C16: Making decisions
• C17: Evaluating impact

Section I is dedicated to Management and NHS Structure and specifies that trainees should demonstrate knowledge of: clinical coding; EWTD; National Service Frameworks; NHS financing and budgeting; and the role of the Independant Sector amongst other areas. Behaviours include ‘shows willingness to improve managerial skills (e.g. management courses) and engage in management of the service.’

Trainees may find the following resources helpful in understanding the changing NHS landscape:

• An alternative guide to the new NHS in England from The King’s Fund on Vimeo.
• The NHS Structure explained (NHS Choices)
• The Nuffield Trust guide to the new NHS structure

Trainees who are in the later stages of training should reflect on how they can demonstrate competency in the above areas and seek opportunities to join committees, identify areas of service improvement, contribute to business plans etc. Demonstration of such knowledge and skills will be essential for attaining a Consultant position.