Lynsey Threlfall

Acute Internal Medicine (AIM) may be the ‘new kid on the block’ as a medical specialty but it lies at the heart of our health service. Recognition of the importance of early senior review in managing medical patients admitted to hospital in an emergency has led to a dramatic expansion in the number of consultant posts being created in acute medical units across the UK. This has been matched by a similar rise in the number of higher speciality training positions, with over 100 posts being advertised every year. Although the majority of these posts have been filled, this expansion, combined with a relative lack of awareness of the speciality, has meant that vacancies remain in many Deaneries. This needs to be addressed in order for the speciality to continue to expand, and deliver high quality, consultant-led acute medical care in every hospital in the UK.