Competition · Genitourinary Medicine ST4
1.0applicants per post in 2025
46 applications for 45 posts · ST3 entry until 2022
- 0.42019
- 0.62020
- 0.82021
- 0.52022
· ST4 Genitourinary Medicine (GUM), Severn Deanery, Bristol
I studied medicine at Imperial College London, where I did an intercalated BSc in Surgery and Anaesthesia. After my foundation training in South Thames Deanery, I was appointed an NIHR Academic Clinical Fellow (Gastroenterology) in West Midlands. I then went out-of-programme for an MRC-funded Clinical Research Training Fellowship. It was during my PhD studies in Liver Immunology that I was drawn towards this specialty.
Competition · Genitourinary Medicine ST4
1.0applicants per post in 2025
46 applications for 45 posts · ST3 entry until 2022
That is up from 0.4 in 2019: applications have grown 2.3× and posts have stayed about the same.
Source: NHS England Medical Hub — competition ratios, 2019–2025. NHS England had not published a 2026 specialty-level dataset when this was last checked. Checked 14 October 2026.
STASHH was created in 2020 to support medical students and pre-specialty doctors in getting involved with GUM. They run online monthly webinars on interesting topics with key speakers in GUM. BASHH and BHIVA have annual conferences, which are very useful to gain exposure to GUM/HIV and for networking. The STIF course will equip you with fundamental knowledge, skills, and attitudes for the diagnosis and management of common STIs and to know when and how to refer.
STASHH was created to increase recruitment into GUM. They run monthly online webinars and also produce a podcast called ‘Sexy Health with STASHH’ available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. They offer a mentorship scheme to help connect GUM doctors with pre-specialty doctors, which aims to provide opportunities to network within the local GUM community, offer career advice, and bolster portfolios. There is also a STASHH local ambassador who promotes STASHH events and connects pre-specialty doctors to local projects, audits, research, and teaching opportunities. STASHH also runs yearly recruitment events in the form of virtual career fairs. I will strongly encourage doctors interested in applying for GUM training to connect with STASHH on Facebook/Instagram,/Twitter, and contact their local ambassadors. Link to STASHH is https://www.bashh.org/professionals/bashh_groups/51/stashh/public/
BASHH has launched a LOVE GUM website in 2024, which contains all the information needed, ranging from what GUM is, why choose GUM, training pathways, frequently asked questions, and useful resources. Would definitely recommend this!
It is not essential to have a GUM rotation to have a successful application. It is highly encouraged to arrange to have taster days in GUM clinics so that you gain insights into the diagnosis and management of common STIs. Joining HIV clinics will also be very helpful to observe consultations on starting patients on anti-retroviral medications, as well as routine reviews of people living with HIV on established medications.
Very helpful to be involved in local audits or projects available. It would be useful to join multi-disciplinary team meetings where they discuss complex STI/HIV cases for learning.
As mentioned above, it is not essential to have a GUM rotation. You could still demonstrate your commitment by being involved in STASHH and attending GUM/HIV clinics on your clinic days.
Contact your local ambassador and join the mentorship programme to be paired up with a local GUM physician who will give you invaluable insights into GUM training.
It has all the information you need about GUM training.
The STIF course is very helpful for you to gain essential knowledge before starting GUM training.
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