Scottish Medical Training

Why choose this programme

The Obstetric and Gynaecology training programme in the North of Scotland offers wide experience and supervised training in all aspects of Obstetrics and Gynaecology with excellent opportunities for research, subspecialty training and teaching in a friendly supportive department which has a national and international reputation in the field.

Clinical experience

In years ST1 and ST2 the trainee will be given basic training in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and will gain experience in all subspecialty areas. ST3-5 posts will usually rotate to Inverness for 1 year (second-on level), to obtain training and experience in a district general hospital setting.

Aberdeen Maternity Hospital /Aberdeen Royal Infirmary provides tertiary level services in Obstetrics and Gynaecology for the North of Scotland. All trainees will gain experience in all aspects of the specialty in Aberdeen and Inverness in the first 5 years of the programme. In ST6/7 advanced training in subspecialty area(s) is offered.

Why choose this programme

The Obstetric and Gynaecology training programme in the North of Scotland offers wide experience and supervised training in all aspects of Obstetrics and Gynaecology with excellent opportunities for research, subspecialty training and teaching in a friendly supportive department which has a national and international reputation in the field.

Clinical experience

In years ST1 and ST2 the trainee will be given basic training in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and will gain experience in all subspecialty areas. ST3-5 posts will usually rotate to Inverness for 1 year (second-on level), to obtain training and experience in a district general hospital setting.

Aberdeen Maternity Hospital /Aberdeen Royal Infirmary provides tertiary level services in Obstetrics and Gynaecology for the North of Scotland. All trainees will gain experience in all aspects of the specialty in Aberdeen and Inverness in the first 5 years of the programme. In ST6/7 advanced training in subspecialty area(s) is offered. The department is currently recognised for subspecialty training in Gynaecological Oncology and  Reproductive Medicine. (Aberdeen is also recognized for up to two training posts in Community, Sexual & Reproductive Health (CSRH) which is now a programme separate from Obstetrics & Gynaecology). Aberdeen is currently the only centre in Scotland recognized by the RCOG for training for the Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery ATSM. RCOG advanced training modules will be offered to those not undertaking subspecialty training. There is extensive collaboration between the department and other relevant specialties, with many joint clinics and meetings. These include: anaesthetics / ITU, diabetes, neurology, urology, genito-urinary medicine, clinical genetics, pathology, radiology, oncology and neonatology. The department provides services for four peripheral midwife-led units on the mainland, and for the Orkney and Shetland Islands. Trainees will gain outpatient experience in these units.

Raigmore Hospital, Inverness provides general training at second-on level, and also experience of covering remote and rural units.

Research

The department is internationally recognised for its clinical, laboratory and obstetric epidemiological research, surgical trials in gynaecology, and research in the field of infertility and assisted reproduction. There is close collaboration with the Aberdeen University Institute of Medical Science and Institute of Applied Health Sciences (both on the same site as the main hospitals) as well as with other centres and workers around the world. The department includes the internationally renowned Dugald Baird Centre which has an excellent record in epidemiological research into women’s health in the UK and developing world, and in health services research. All trainees are given a comprehensive training programme in research methodology and laboratory techniques in the ST1-3 years, and there are excellent opportunities for formal research. Trainees in designated academic run-through training will have additional research and teacher training throughout their programme.

The department has an excellent track record for the supervision and completion of higher degrees for their research fellows. Trainees are encouraged and supported to take up research opportunities and to gain postgraduate qualifications.

General Information

Aberdeen

With a population approximately 250,000 Aberdeen stands between the Rivers Dee and Don. The historic old city has many buildings of architectural interest and the use of the sparkling local granite has earned Aberdeen the name of the Silver City. Although an international centre for the oil industry, Aberdeen retains its old charm and character making it an attractive place to live, with a good quality of life. There are good national and international transport links by air, rail, road and sea and a wide choice of housing in the city and in rural villages within easy commuting distance to the hospital. Education facilities are excellent, with two of the top state secondary schools in Scotland, two girls’ and one co-educational independent school, and an international school. Amenities are first class, with restaurants, night clubs, theatres, music hall, exhibition centre, art galleries, museums and sporting facilities. The city is close to some of Scotland’s best countryside with easy access for hill-walking, mountaineering, skiing, fishing and golf.

Inverness

Inverness stands on the River Ness and has a population of nearly 70,000. It was granted city status in 2000. It is an attractive city with a mild climate and offers access to the highlands, Loch Ness and the West Coast. There are good transport links by road, rail and air to all parts of Scotland and the UK. Specialty: Obstetrics & Gynaecology GMC: NOS/483 Additional information:

University of Aberdeen: http://www.abdn.ac.uk/ Academic Dept. of Obstetrics & Gynaecology: http://www.abdn.ac.uk/obsgynae/ NHS Grampian: http://www.nhsgrampian.org/ NHS Highland: http://www.nhshighland.scot.nhs.uk/ Aberdeen City: http://www.aberdeen-grampian.com/ Inverness: http://www.scotland-inverness.co.uk/inverness.htm

Specialty Information

The normal entry point for the programme will be at ST1. During transition, additional entry points will be available at ST2 and ST3 depending on experience. The normal duration of the programme is 7 years, but may be extended for 2 or 3 further years for subspecialty training.

The core programme is in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. This is a 7 year programme leading to a CCT. Trainees will progress through a common basic (ST1 and 2) and intermediate (ST 3 – 5) training programme. Thereafter, in advanced training (ST 6 – 7), trainees will select a number of Advanced Training Skills Modules, to be conducted in parallel with core training in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. It is anticipated that most of the ATSMs will be available within the North of Scotland.

There are opportunities for academic training, and opportunities for advanced training in all the recognized subspecialties: Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Gynaecological Oncology, Reproductive Medicine, Urogynaecology and Sexual and Reproductive Health. Aberdeen is currently recognised for subspecialty training in Gynaecological Oncology and Reproductive Medicine. All subspecialty training programmes are organised and delivered on a national (Scottish) basis (linked to likely Consultant vacancies).

ST3-5 posts may rotate to Raigmore Hospital Inverness for one period of 1 year.

ST6-7 posts usually will be located in Aberdeen.

The Obstetric and Gynaecology training programme in the North of Scotland offers wide experience and supervised training in all aspects of Obstetrics and Gynaecology  with excellent opportunities for research, subspecialty training and teaching in a friendly supportive department which has a national and international reputation in the field.

In years ST1 and ST2 the trainee will be given basic training in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and will gain experience in all subspecialty areas. ST3-5 posts will usually rotate to Inverness for 1 year (second-on level), to obtain training and experience in a district general hospital setting.

Aberdeen Maternity Hospital /Aberdeen Royal Infirmary provides tertiary level services in Obstetrics and Gynaecology for the North of Scotland. All trainees will gain experience in all aspects of the specialty in Aberdeen and Inverness in the first 5 years of the programme. In ST6/7 advanced training in subspecialty area(s) is offered. The department is currently recognised for subspecialty training in Gynaecological Oncology and Reproductive Medicine. (Aberdeen is recognized for up to two training posts Community, Sexual & Reproductive Health (CSRH) which is now a a programme separate from Obstetrics & Gynaecology).

Aberdeen is currently the only centre in Scotland recognized by the RCOG for training for the Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery ATSM.

All other RCOG ATSMs are available to those not undertaking subspecialty training.

There is extensive collaboration between the department and other relevant specialties, with many joint clinics and meetings. These include: anaesthetics / ITU, diabetes, neurology, urology, genito-urinary medicine, clinical genetics, pathology, radiology, oncology and neonatology.

The department provides services for four peripheral midwife-led units on the mainland, and for the Orkney and Shetland Islands. Trainees will gain outpatient experience in these units.

The department is internationally recognised for its epidemiological, clinical, laboratory and reproductive medicine. There is close collaboration with the Aberdeen University Institute of Medical Science and Institute of Applied Health Sciences (both on the same site as the main hospitals) as well as with other centres and workers around the world. The department includes the internationally renowned Dugald Baird Centre which has an excellent record in epidemiological research into women's health in the UK and developing world, and in health services research.

All trainees are given a comprehensive training programme in research methodology and laboratory techniques in the ST1-3 years, and there areexcellent opportunities for formal research. Trainees in designated academic run-through training will have additional research and teacher training throughout their programme.

North of Scotland Deanery:      

NHS Grampian:             AberdeenMaternityHospital / Aberdeen Royal Infirmary

NHS Highland:              Raigmore Hospital, Inverness