MRCP(UK) PACES examining

Dr Jimmy Li Voon Chong

Consultant physician, diabetologist and endocrinologist UK associate chair for medicine and director of medical education for St George’s University Grenada. Associate medical director for governance and patient safety, Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

I see PACES as a cornerstone of professional credibility. When appointing doctors to posts in our hospitals, we do not focus on where they trained or which country they come from. What carries significant weight is whether they have successfully completed PACES. The qualification signals a recognised level of clinical competence and communication skill. For that reason, I believe it is my professional duty to contribute to maintain the integrity and standard of this examination. If we value what MRCP represents, then we must also be willing to invest our time in safeguarding its quality.

To have the opportunity to serve not only as an examiner but also to chair PACES nationally and internationally is something I regard as a genuine privilege. It is a role that carries responsibility, but also immense professional fulfilment.

For me, examining for PACES is not a sacrifice of weekends. It is a commitment to standards, to shared learning, and to the next generation of physicians.

Dr Adam Stone

Consultant gastroenterologist, St Richard's Hospital, Chichester

My biggest regret as a PACES examiner is that I waited too long before I became one. A mixture of work and family commitments deterred my application until I was nearly 50. There is no reason why that needs to be the case. Examinations are held throughout the year, on all days of the week and weekends, all over the country. Visiting new exam centres and meeting fellow examiners is one of the enjoyments of examining. This augments the sense of camaraderie and fellowship that is created by the host examiner.

Being a PACES examiner helps me to maintain professional standards in medical practice, support the Royal Colleges and medical training and expand my professional network. A couple of days examining provides a refreshing break to the working week. I strongly encourage you to apply. 
 

Dr Emily Hoodless

Consultant in respiratory Medicine, Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital

I have been an MRCP PACES examiner since 2021 and have thoroughly enjoyed my time in the role. It is a fantastic educational opportunity, not only for examiners but also to give back to our trainees and contribute to the future of the medical profession.

Each examining diet brings something new, and I really value the exposure to such a wide variety of General Internal Medicine cases. It is a genuine privilege to see trainees perform at their best, succeed in the examination, and take the next step in their training.

For me, visiting different centres across the country adds a welcome variety to the working week and provides the opportunity to meet colleagues from a wide range of specialties and locations.
In an era where balancing clinical work, CPD, and family life is increasingly challenging, being an MRCP examiner offers an enjoyable and sustainable way to meet CPD requirements while supporting trainees and making new friends along the way.

I would strongly encourage colleagues to apply to become examiners, and we would be delighted to welcome you to the family.

Dr Dilip Nazareth MBBS, MSc, MD, FRCP

Consultant physician in respiratory medicine, Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, honorary clinical associate professor, University of Liverpool

Examining and hosting for MRCP PACES has become a gratifying and valuable aspect of my job. It provides me clinically relevant and enjoyable CPD. PACES consistently exhibits real world patients with common, complex and rare conditions and examining ensures my own practice is up to date and of a high clinical standard.

There is genuine satisfaction in watching good candidates perform well, and working with trainees, registrars and residents around the exam helps build relationships, supports their preparation, and often inspires some of them to become examiners themselves. A recent PACES champion (SpR) from our centre says, ‘As the organising SpR, the organisation of the exam provides invaluable clinical, leadership and management experience that is unparalleled’.

The network of examiners nationally and internationally enables an excellent platform for exchange of ideas and collaboration in practice. The days at the centre are often some of the best for networking and swapping ideas. The camaraderie with fellow examiners and the wonderful college staff has given me the opportunity to make true friends and colleagues.

Examining is not without its challenges: fitting examining activity into an already busy schedule of clinical work, research and non-NHS commitments can be tough. Examining and chairing internationally adds extra complexity in unfamiliar environments and healthcare systems. However, these challenges are outweighed by the incredibly rewarding experience of seeing a wide range of cases, diverse candidates and examiners, and a richer understanding of how medicine is practised across different settings.

Dr Dan Furmedge

Consultant physician in geriatric & internal medicine, Guy’s & St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust & IMTAC co-chair and IMT Stage 1 TPD

Having been involved in MRCP PACES teaching and as a trainee rep on one of the PACES committees whilst a resident doctor, I have always held PACES to be a high quality, academically rigorous clinical exam. Shortly after becoming a consultant, I became an RCP College Tutor and later an IMT stage 1 Training Programme Director. I always felt that examining was an essential skill to have to do these roles with a full understanding of what is expected of our trainees and to be able to teach and support them to the right level and focus. I’ve been pleasantly surprised at how fair the exam process is and how examiners really do want people to pass.

I was apprehensive about my own clinical skills when I started examining but it has been the best external CPD I could find. Frequent exposure to patients with clinical signs, working with other consultants from other specialties and seeing trainees at different levels from around the country (and globe!) has done wonders for my clinical and education skills. I am much more confident at picking up and interpreting signs myself on a post-take ward round, especially in neurology where I was underconfident.

Now I host the exam at St Thomas’ Hospital three times a year which is hugely rewarding, as is travelling to different centres in the UK and internationally as an examiner at other centres. 

The examiner pool is increasingly diverse, and I would encourage any consultant physician, particularly anyone with an education role or who delivers acute, general or geriatric medicine to consider becoming an examiner. 

Dr Oseme Etomi

Consultant physician in rheumatology and obstetric medicine, Guys & St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust

The MRCP PACES exam is probably the most valuable exam I ever took during my years in training. I remember preparing for it in 2011 and noticed how much my clinical skills and acumen improved as a result!

Over the years, I have also seen the difference it has made to trainees’ ability and confidence.
Since becoming an examiner, I have found that contributing to this exam allows me to support our trainees and give back to our society, whilst providing an opportunity to step away from busy clinical practice and connect with like-minded colleagues from all around the country. I highly recommend it!