We are encouraged that our paper has sparked some debate of these important issues. We agree with Conn & Husain ^{Reference Oakley, Jenkinson and Oyebode1} that conducting emergency assessments out of hours is a crucial component of training in psychiatry. We also support the Section of Neuropsychiatry’s view that evaluation of the practical aspects of implementing a more integrated curriculum would be beneficial.

We understand the arguments put forward by Burza & Hilton about the value of old age psychiatry and their assertion that it has non-parity with other specialties in our proposed scheme for postgraduate training in psychiatry. It was not our active intention to reduce trainees’ exposure to old age psychiatry but this was a product of the challenge of trying to accommodate neurology, psychopharmacology and psychotherapy which currently are not routine placements. However, we intend our paper to stimulate discussion and would hope that this, and other perspectives, could lead to further shaping of a proposal for psychiatric training for the next generation.