u/Radio-bake

Hi, current FY2 applying to Radiology in the upcoming cycle. Have a few questions (have tried to do due diligence by obtaining this information via the Medical Hub - Clinical Radiology ST1 page):

- I was hoping to apply to the Northwest deanery (Manchester), I can see that for the August 2026 intake it was stated there'd be a minimum of 0 posts available and a maximum of 20 posts available. For successful applicants from this cycle just gone, did any ST1 posts open up? At what stage did they open up? Did they specify which part of the North West you'd be trained? - https://medical.hee.nhs.uk/medical-training-recruitment/medical-specialty-training/clinical-radiology/core-clinical-radiology/overview-of-core-training/posts (source)

- Currently have an ongoing item outstanding for my portfolio that will be ready by the evidence upload deadline in February next year, but not the submission deadline in November this year. Was planning to underclaim in the specific domain, then upload evidence that demonstrates I have surpassed this claim by the time it comes to evidence upload. My current understanding is that for station A, the first 10 minutes, the interviewers decide your portfolio score, so if I have underclaimed they will automatically increase the points for my portfolio.

- Any general tips from trainees they wish they did differently surrounding the application period?

TIA

Hi, current F2 wanting to apply for Radiology ST1, currently scoring ABBCB in the respective domains based on the HEE 2026 guidelines (aware they may change this year). Unsure of the consensus on what a "competitive" portfolio score would be, but aiming to do the best I can with the time left.

As above, the main portfolio domain letting me down is the Audit and Quality Improvement section. So I have until around February to achieve an audit that "relates to radiology which can be shown to have resulted in changed practice". On a busy GIM rota and with MSRA prep, ideally I don't want to do a particular time-intensive project. Was considering doing the Head CT - Lens Exclusion idea on the RCR, any suggestions as to any quicker projects that are more likely to lead to changed practice (if my initial results show the lens isnt actually currently routinely scanned by the radiographers then I've wont be able to show changed practice)?

Would be nice to hear from any current ST1's on their experience of the portfolio (how did you rank across the domains? Did your self-calculated score differ from how they actually scored you? Any areas of your portfolio you wished you worked harder on and why?).

Application Process

QIP advice