{
  "abstract": "The national training programme in Paediatric Gasteroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (PGHAN), provides UK trainees with a structured route to become specialist consultants. It is essential that this programme generates well-rounded gastroenterologists and hepatologists equipped with the necessary skillset to meet the needs of the population they serve.We conducted a national training survey to gain contemporary insight into trainee experience with the aim of highlighting areas of excellence and identify opportunities to generate positive change.Methods Subspecialty trainees in a training post between March and September 2025 were invited to complete an anonymised electronic survey.Results 24 of 27 (89%) trainees completed the survey, representing all eighteen PGHAN UK training regions and training grades. 75% of trainees were LTFT. Common reasons for LTFT included caring responsibilities and reducing paediatric on-call burden. 87.5% were considering an OOP. 70.8% were considering applying for a post-CCT fellowship.Endoscopy:52.6% of gastroenterology trainees had achieved OGD JAG certification, 11.8% for colonoscopy. 50% of trainees had logged 0-20 colonoscopies. Common barriers to colonoscopy training were on-call burden, limited allocated lists and competition (e.g. consultant). All hepatology trainees were working towards OGD certification. 41.7% of trainees attended >2 endoscopy lists per month. 45.8% reported coming in monthly on an ‘off’ day for endoscopy experience.Readiness for consultancy:Of the 11 trainees in their final 12-months of training, all indicated being between 5-8 (54.5% at ‘7’) when rating their readiness for consultancy. 57.1% of gastroenterology trainees felt they would be confident in diagnostic colonoscopy by completion of training.General paediatric training:75% of trainees worked on a general paediatric on-call rota, with 47.4% reporting (the required subspecialty time is 70% so ideally would include above 30% away as 25% is well within reasonable and appropriate) 25-50% time away from subspecialty. Only 16.7% and 15.8% reported ‘never’ experiencing loss of endoscopy or clinic time respectively due to on-call burden. 37.% trainees were allocated 1 clinic per week, with variation in clinic exposure for the remaining cohort. 66.7% were able to attend specialty clinics including PN and transition.Education and research:66.7% of trainees were allocated SPA days. 45.8% were able to attend BSPGHAN educational sessions. 75% of trainees attended the annual BSPGHAN trainee meeting. Study leave budget allowance varied across training centres. 33.3% of trainees experienced barriers to accessing funding for mandatory courses. 83.3% had access to research and academic opportunities.Conclusion The survey returned a high response rate with comprehensive trainee representation. Positive areas of practice included accommodation of an increased trend in LTFT working, educational and research opportunities, and inclusion of SPA days. There were high rates of trainees opting for LTFT, OOP and consideration of post-CCT fellowship. It remains vital that PGHAN trainees demonstrate competence in general paediatric skills, however there is a need for balance with impact on specialist training opportunities. We suggest future programme development should focus on this, along with minimising endoscopy training barriers by increasing list availability, and increasing specialist clinic exposure to avoid a shortfall in consultant skill level.",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Great Ormond Street Hospital"
      ],
      "name": "Rebecca Walker"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Southampton Children’s Hospital"
      ],
      "name": "Chris Bakewell"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Oxford University Hospital"
      ],
      "name": "Lucy Howarth"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "St George’s Hospital"
      ],
      "name": "Nkem Onyeador"
    }
  ],
  "title": "LBA6 The shape of paediatric gastroenterology and hepatology training",
  "uid": "4d0ce568-391b-5f6c-ab0e-16a41b66e9f8"
}