Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery

Programme description

GMC Reference: SES/503

Why South East Scotland Orthopaedics (SESO)?

SESO is a friendly and inclusive training programme. It is big enough to offer a wealth of world-leading training, research and educational opportunities, and small enough that we all get to know each other well. We are consistently ranked in the top 3 training programmes in the UK based on trainee feedback and also benefit from being part of the wider Scottish Orthopaedic community. 

What we offer 

We offer a comprehensive training programme from ST1 all the way to ST8. All trainees will have excellent exposure to the breadth of the specialty with placements in trauma, arthroplasty, spine, paediatrics, hand, foot and ankle, and sports surgery. The first two to three years are generally focused on gaining confidence and competence in trauma and basic surgical skills. The middle years focus on elective orthopaedics, developing trauma competencies and preparing trainees for the FRCS exam. The latter years are designed to align with the trainee's intended subspecialty interest, in preparation for Fellowship and Consultancy. 

SESO aims to offer bespoke training, and actively seeks the training preferences of the trainees to best allocate them to trainers and units. We also support flexible training and many trainees work less than full time.

Trainees have not struggled to gain operative numbers or any curricular requirements as the majority of the posts are in high-volume units and from the outset, trainees are encouraged to operate as 'first surgeon' with the appropriate support and feedback. 

The access to research opportunities is unparalleled. We have close links to the Universities of Edinburgh, Napier and St Andrews, and have a network of supervision which results in high academic standards and rates of publication. We support trainees to present their work, from local meetings to the international stage. We also actively support 1-3 years 'Out of Programme' for trainees to pursue their interests in research (culminating in MD or PhD), education (Medical Education Fellowship), management (Scottish Clinical Leadership Fellowship) or other interests such as Medical Law. 

Monthly regional teaching is tiered: ST1 and 2 with hands-on simulation and small-group tutorials, ST3+ teaching geared towards the FRCS exam, and post-FRCS teaching to prepare trainees for their future careers. All trainees also receive training in non-technical skills, and have a study budget to allow them to choose experiences to support their training. The educational highlight of the year is SESORT: SE Scotland Orthopaedic Research and Training day which attracts international speakers and is run by trainees for trainees. We also get together with colleagues from around the country at the Summer and Winter Scottish Committee for Orthopaedics and Trauma (SCOT). The latter features a traditional celebration of Robert Burns, with haggis and ceilidh dancing! 

Who are we

We are a close-knit community of trainees and trainers, with a culture of mentorship, support and encouraging feedback. The trainees developed our 'Way of Working' to emphasise the importance of cultivating this, and work together in the Trainee Experience Group and as representatives on the Surgical Training Committee.

WoW image

We have approximately 40 trainees and over 100 consultant trainers in the region, giving an outstanding trainee to trainer ratio and close supervision. We have close links to the rest of Scotland, as well as a extensive network of colleagues around the world: 'allumni' trainees or fellows. We have developed reciprocal 'travelling fellowship' opportunities with South Africa, USA and Malawi. 

Trainers are hugely invested in training and the dedicated support they give to trainees approaching the FRCS exam plays a big part of the very high pass rate. We also run mock exams to simulate the FRCS clinicals and vivas, with a social event afterwards to award prizes and celebrate the successes of the trainees.  

Research, audit, teaching and management opportunities

There are ample opportunities to carry out research and audit in the South East of Scotland, and the region is renowned as a powerhouse of academic output. We have close ties with the University of Edinburgh and Napier University, and multiple trainees have taken part at all levels of research from small projects through to PhDs in basic science, translational and clinical research. Research is actively encouraged both within programme and on an out of programme basis and trainees are encouraged to produce two papers each year during their training.

A structured teaching programme is delivered on a regional basis. This consists of a full day once a month and attendance is compulsory, with trainees released from clinical duties to attend. Regional and national speakers are invited to attend, and there are also opportunities for dry bone workshops and simulated training. Each hospital also delivers a local teaching programme, usually on a weekly basis. Every year a full Mock FRCS exam is carried out for those at ST3 and above which includes multiple choice, vivas and clinicals spread over two days.

We have close ties with the Anatomy Department allowing for multiple anatomy sessions both as part of the structured teaching programme and on an ad hoc basis as required by specific trainees.Every year Edinburgh hosts an International Trauma Symposium and trainees are encouraged to attend.

The training scheme in SE Scotland also encourages trainees to make use of out of programme training experiences such as the Scottish Leadership Fellow programme, out of programme experience for teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate level, and various managerial development programmes.

Where the training is delivered?

• Forth Valley Royal Hospital (V217H) - Larbert
• Gartnavel General Hospital (G504H) - Glasgow
• Royal Hospital for Children and Young People (S319H) - Edinburgh
• Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh at Little France (S314H) - Edinburgh
• Victoria Hospital (F704H) - Kirkcaldy
• Borders General Hospital (B120H) - Melrose

Where we train

We are lucky to be based in the beautiful South East of Scotland, with mountains, lochs and the seaside on our doorstep. The vast majority of trainees live in Edinburgh, a city famed for its history, dramatic skylines and culture. Every year tourists flock to the Edinburgh Festival, and we host our International Trauma Symposium to coincide with this. 

The region is unique in that it is compact: even the furthest training site is an easily commutable-one hour drive. This lends itself to trainees having a stable base for a least eight years, and it is no surprise that, having put roots down and formed life-long friendships with each other, many end up staying as consultants in the region. 

NHS Lothian

The Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh is the largest teaching hospital and a Major Trauma Centre (MTC). It is part of the Edinburgh Bioquarter which is also the home of the Medical School. RIE offers the breadth of T&O including trauma, arthroplasty, sports and sarcoma services.

Also on this site is the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People (a tertiary unit and paediatric MTC) and the Department for Clinical Neuroscience. This is also the site of the national Spinal Deformity Service.

St John's Hospital is in West Lothian and offers trainees elective orthopaedics, as well hand surgery training alongside Plastic Surgery. They also host the Trainee Interface Fellowship in Hand Surgery - an opportunity currently only available in Scotland. 

NHS Fife

The hospitals in Fife (Victoria Hospital and Queen Margaret Hospital) offer substantial training opportunities. Fife is home to one of Scotland's National Treatment Centres (NTC) where training is a top priority as opposed to the Independent Treatment Centres in England. 

NHS Forth Valley 

Another NTC is in Forth Valley, and allocation there brings high volume operative experience as well as the opportunity to work alongside trainees from the West and East regions who also rotate here. 

NHS Borders

The Borders General Hospital is in the scenic Scottish Borders and typically a trainee would spend 6 months working in this general setting. 

NHS Golden Jubilee

Finally, trainees have the opportunity to rotate to the Golden Jubilee National Hospital in Glasgow. This is a very high-volume elective NTC and another chance to work with our colleagues outwith the South East. 

How to apply

The programme is predominantly recruited as “run-through” training, with entry at ST1, although we also accept a limited number of trainees at ST3 through UK National Selection. If you are interested in visiting, please contact the Training Programme Director: Miss Emily Baird emily.baird@nhs.scot

Contacts and useful links

Information
Programme type (Deanery or National):	Deanery
Administration office:	South-East
Lead Dean / Director:	Mr Alastair Murray
Responsible Associate Postgraduate Dean or Assistant Director (GP):	Mr Bryn Jones
Specialty or Sub-specialty:	Specialty
Date of GMC recent approval:	Aug 2010
Associated Royal College - Faculty:	Joint Committee on Surgical Training
Curriculum and associated assessment system:	http://www.gmc-uk.org/education/postgraduate/trauma_and_orthopaedic_surgery.asp
Programme administrator:	Name: Fiona Fourie Email: fiona.fourie@nhs.scot
Programme director(s):	Name: Emily Baird Address: Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Little France Email: emily.baird@nhs.scot
Quality of training:	Quality Management

How to apply

This page was last updated on: 08.10.2026 at 16.16