Speciality: General Surgery
1 a. What particular specialty learning opportunities does this program provide e.g. sub-specialty exposure, especially those which are not available elsewhere?
Training is available in General Surgery. Special areas of interest in Oesophagogastric, Pancreatic, Biliary, Colorectal, Breast, Transplant and Vascular Surgery are facilitated. There may also be training opportunities in Paediatric, Trauma and Oncoplastic Surgery.
b. How do trainees access these opportunities?
Trainees have annual interviews to discuss their career plans and training requirements. Thereafter the Programme Director matches these needs with the available opportunities across 11 hospital units in the West of Scotland.
2 a. What opportunities are there for research, audit and teaching?
Clinical research and audit are encouraged and facilitated throughout training. The Training Programme has close ties with Glasgow University’s Academic Department of Surgery and the University of Strathclyde. Trainees may apply to go “out of programme” for a period of full time research to obtain a higher degree. Trainees may also apply to the Scottish Clinical Leadership Programme.
b. How do trainees access these opportunities?
Local research and audit is best discussed with the Educational Supervisor, ideally before the post commences. Out of programme research time requires the Programme Director’s support and the Dean’s approval once the trainee has secured a funded post in a reputable unit.
3 a. How are rotations on hospital sites organised?
The programme Director asks trainees to submit their preferred choices for their August post around January each year with some explanatory notes for their choice. These preferences are co-ordinated with the specific training needs of each trainee.
b. Which hospitals are involved?
The hospital units are Glasgow Royal Infirmary / Stobhill Hospital, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital ( including Gartnavel General Hospital and the New Victoria Infirmary), Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary, Forth Valley Royal Hospital, Inverclyde Royal Hospital, Royal Alexandra Infirmary, University Hospital Wishaw, University Hospital Monklands, University Hospital Hairmyres, University Hospital Crosshouse and Ayr Hospital. Some special interests are limited to certain hospitals e.g. Transplant Surgery is based at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.
c. What degree of choice is there for trainees?
Trainees are free to choose their area of special interest. The Programme Director is available for guidance. Post choice is described in 3a above.
4. What teaching (e.g. day-release or exam preparation) or learning opportunities (e.g. e-learning, OOPE), are unique to this post or a key feature in the West?
Trainees are entitled to funded study leave for course fees, research presentation and national specialty meetings. A monthly full day teaching programme is run in Glasgow. Many hospitals have their own regular educational meetings.
5. What can trainees expect of their trainers in this post?
Through the ISCP website, trainees and trainers establish a Learning Agreement at the start of each post.
6. What are key markers of success? (e.g. exam pass rates. MD, PhD, papers)
Successful progression is based upon a satisfactory ISCP portfolio leading to annual progression to the next level through the ARCP process. Progression from Phase 1 to Phase 2 requires the MRCS examination. An outcome 1 at the end of phase 2 is required to apply for the intercollegiate board examination in general surgery and completion of training requires success at this examination.
Programme Descriptor submitted in 2021-22
The West of Scotland general surgical training programme is able to offer excellent training opportunities in general surgery and its subspecialties in 14 hospitals in Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Forth Valley, Dumfries, Ayrshire and Arran and Lanarkshire. Training units provide a variety of district general services and tertiary referral exposure. The initial phase 2 years of the programme cover basic training in elective and emergency general surgery with opportunities for modules in special interest areas. The phase 3 years are individually tailored to take into account the trainee's future career plans and provide opportunities for special interest training. Current specialty options include breast including oncoplastic training, upper gastrointestinal, colorectal and transplant surgery. Trainees may apply to the Postgraduate Dean for time out of programme for a period of research or fellowships in other centres.
There are four general surgery training programmes in Scotland providing geographically clustered placements to minimise trainee relocation whilst providing a comprehensive training package for all trainees.
The training programme extends over 3 phases of General Surgery as described in the ISCP curriculum. It is expected that phase 1 ( core training ) will take 2 years with phase 2 of general surgery training for 4 years and phase 3 of special interest training for a further 2 years. Trainees may apply for recruitment at the appropriate Specialty Registrar level dependent on qualification, experience and available posts. Entry to level 3 is provisional upon the MRCS examination being passed. Provision is made to accommodate less-than-full-time trainees.
Progress is monitored through multiple consultant reports, work place assessments, educational supervisors’ reports and ARCPs. Completion of training and attainment of CCT requires successful completion of the Intercollegiate Specialty Board Examination.
The initial two years of the programme cover basic training in elective andemergency general surgery. The final 3 years are individually tailored to take into account the trainee's future career plans and provide opportunities for sub-specialty training.
Current specialty options include breast, vascular, upper gastrointestinal, colorectal and transplant surgery. Trainees may apply to the Postgraduate Dean for time out of programme for a period of research or fellowships in other centres.
There are four general surgery training programmes in Scotland providing geographically clustered placements to minimise trainee relocation whilst providing a comprehensive training package for all trainees.
The training programme extends over eight levels of General Surgery as described in the ISCP curriculum. It is expected that each level will take one year to complete. Trainees may apply for recruitment at the appropriate Specialty Registrar level dependent on qualification, experience and available posts. Entry to level 3 is provisional upon the MRCS examination being passed. Provision is made to accommodate less-than-full-time trainees.
Progress is monitored through work place assessments, educational supervisors' reports and ARCPs. Completion of training and attainment of CCT requires successful completion of the Intercollegiate Specialty Examination.
For further programme information please go to the Programme Information Profile on the NHS Education for Scotland Website.
University Hospital Ayr, University Hospital Crosshouse, Kilmarnock, Ayrshire, Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary, Forth Valley Royal Hospital - FVRH, Gartnavel General, Glasgow, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, University Hospital Hairmyres, East Kilbride, South Lanarkshire, Inverclyde Royal Hospital, Greenock, University Hospital Monklands, Airdrie, Royal Alexandra Hospital, Paisley , The Queen Elizabeth University Hospital Glasgow , Stobhill Hospital, Glasgow, New Victoria Hospital, Glasgow, Western Infirmary, Glasgow, University Hospital Wishaw, Falkirk and District Royal Infrmary, Stirling Royal Infirmary, Stirling
West of Scotland – placements in Glasgow hospitals, Forth Valley and Lanarkshire:
Ayr Hospital, Ayr
University Hospital Crosshouse, Kilmarnock
Dumfries & Galloway Royal Infirmary, Dumfries
Forth Valley Royal Hospital
Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Glasgow
Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow
University Hospital Hairmyres, East Kilbride
University Hospital Wishaw
University Hospital Monklands, Lanarkshire
Inverclyde Royal Hospital , Greenock
Royal Alexandra Hospital, Paisley
| Programme Type | Deanery based or National: Deanery |
| Administration office | South-East of Scotland |
| Lead Dean / Director | Professor Adam Hill |
| Responsible Associate Postgraduate Dean or Assistant Director (GP) | Mr Bryn Jones |
| Specialty or Sub-specialty | Specialty or Sub-specialty: Specialty |
| Date of GMC recent approval | January 2008 |
| Associated Royal College - Faculty |
Joint Committee on Surgical Training (web site) |
| Curriculum and Associated Assessment System | |
| Programme Administrator: |
Named Programme Administrator:
Jackie Aitken
Address: NHS Education for Scotland, 102 West Port, Edinburgh, EH3 9DN Tel: 0131 656 3475 Email: Jackie.Aitken@nhs.scot |
| Programme Director |
Programme Director Name: Mrs Alison Lannigan Address: University Hospital Wishaw Tel: Email: alison.lannigan@lanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk |
| Quality of Training | Quality Management |