As training day coordinators for the North-West Higher Training Scheme in Adult Psychiatry, we read with interest the article by Dr Ogden (Psychiatric Bulletin, August 2006, 30, 310–312) on developing a regional specialist registrar day. We would like to report on similar training days that have been an integral part of the North-West Higher Training Scheme for the past 5 years. Our training days are similar in most aspects to the Merseyside ones, but with some important differences.

We have 10 training days per year with full support of the local specialist training subcommittee. Unlike the Merseyside specialist registrar training days, the venues in our case are rotated regularly, as our scheme covers a wide geographical area. Pharmaceutical companies sponsor the venue and catering, and the speakers give their time and expertise for free. Although the majority of the speakers come from the north-west, we have been able to secure others from further afield. Attendance at the training days is mandatory and the average attendance is around 75%.

The topics covered during the training days include a broad range of core clinical, managerial and personal development skills; for example, our next training day is on court room skills, with trainees giving expert evidence and undergoing cross examination by a barrister in a mock courtroom.

Similar to Dr Ogden's experience in Merseyside, the training days have helped in improving communication and in fostering a sense of community among the specialist registrars.