ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the evolving relationship between the NHS and postgraduate medical deaneries. It is important to set this in the broader context of the relationship between the profession of medicine and society, and government at large. The deaneries play a central role, not only in Postgraduate medical education (PGME) and continuing professional development (CPD) but also in the management of medical workforce supply. Then, in 1948, the National Health Service was created, with a virtual monopoly of medical employment: directly in the case of consultants, and indirectly for general practitioners. In 1961 the various organisations involved in PGME or CPD, including the Government, came together at the Christchurch Conference to look at its future. Despite an increasing appreciation of the importance of teamworking, and a more multidisciplinary approach to healthcare, PGME has until very recently developed separately and in isolation from the other clinical professions, apart from dentistry.
