Unfortunately the version of ‘Criteria for Consultant Posts in Psychiatry’ which appeared in the August 1986 Bulletin was out of date. The version agreed in 1985, which coincides with that included in the JCHPT Handbook 1985, and which is currently circulated to Assessors on Advisory Appointment Committees, is as to follows:

1. Before appointment to a Consultant post, whether in general psychiatry or one of the other psychiatric special ties, a candidate should normally have undertaken a basic training in psychiatry and hold the MRCPsych or equivalent qualification. If there is an outstanding candidate, or circumstances are highly exceptional, other relevant qualifications and experience may constitute an acceptable alternative.

2. The successful candidate should normally have reached the age of 32, but there is no bar to the appointment of younger applicants.

3. Due weight should be attached to breadth of experience, participation in organised rotation schemes, periods spent abroad in relevant posts, and work in medical fieldsallied to psychiatry.