The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (RCSEd) is aware of recent media reports regarding the cardiothoracic surgery parallel pathway training in Malaysia. RCSEd would like to clarify the structure and purpose of this training programme to avoid any misunderstanding arising from earlier imprecise wording.
- The Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (FRCSEd(CTh)) in Cardiothoracic Surgery qualification is awarded by the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, based in the United Kingdom.
- The Cardiothoracic Surgery Parallel Pathway training delivered in Malaysia is a locally based specialist training programme developed in collaboration with Malaysian partners and designed to support the training of cardiothoracic surgeons for Malaysia’s healthcare system. The program is delivered in training centres in Malaysia that have been accredited by RCSEd, and training is conducted by local cardiothoracic specialist surgeons.
- This program is accredited by RCSEd, and leads to eligibility to sit the relevant RCSEd exit examination (Joint Specialty Fellowship Examination in Cardiothoracic Surgery). The examination is overseen by the Quadripartite Board in Cardiothoracic Surgery and is also taken by candidates completing their Cardiothoracic Surgery specialist training in Hong Kong and Singapore. Successful candidates are awarded the Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh in Cardiothoracic Surgery qualification.
- Graduates of the Malaysian Cardiothoracic Surgery Parallel Pathway training programme are currently serving in Ministry of Health and other hospitals in Malaysia, contributing to the country’s cardiothoracic surgical capacity.
RCSEd remains fully committed to this partnership and will continue to support the programme.
The UK’s Medical Training (Prioritisation) Act 2026 does not affect the structure or delivery of this training pathway in Malaysia, nor does it change the established requirements for UK General Medical Council (GMC) registration.
RCSEd will continue to work closely with its Malaysian partners to ensure the highest standards in surgical education and training.