Scottish Medical Training

GMC Reference: WOS/425

 

The West of Scotland Haematology Training Programme has the capacity and experience to provide training in all areas required to complete the Haematology curriculum. This includes training in general and consultative Haematology, malignant haematology, bone marrow transplantation, haemostasis and thrombosis, blood transfusion and haematological conditions of childhood. The training programme is centred on the West of Scotland hospitals and enjoys exposure to all major Haematology subspecialties while serving a large population base.  Regional Haemophilia, Bone Marrow Transplant and Paediatric services are the largest of their kind nationally run by acknowledged leaders in their fields.  The West of Scotland Transfusion Centre has an active training programme running alongside a routine and emergency apheresis service and stem cell collection.

In Glasgow, The Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre, West of Scotland Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, Glasgow Royal Infirmary & Stobhill Ambulatory Care Hospital, Queen Elizabeth University hospital, Golden Jubilee National Hospital, West of Scotland Blood Transfusion Service and the RoyalHospital for Children are involved in the training programme. Out-with Glasgow, University Hospital Crosshouse, Monklands District General Hospital, Forth Valley Royal Hospital and the Royal Alexandria Hospital provide modern district general experience. As part of the training programme, you can expect to spend one year in a district general placement.

There is high local clinical trial entry in all major NCRI studies in which trainees will participate.  Local research initiatives are common and trainee participation is expected.

To embark on a career in Haematology, you must have a medical degree, have passed MRCP (UK) and can apply following IMT2 (or equivalent).  Our training programme requires exposure to specialist areas of Haematology which take up roughly 50% of the allotted 5 year programme.  All Haematology trainees must possess FRCPath in Haematology in order to complete training and be eligible for entry to the UK Specialist Haematology register.

The West of Scotland training programme provides comprehensive training whilst also exposing trainees to a wide spectrum of sub-specialties within haematology. The West of Scotland also trainees access to all the benefits the area has to offer out with of medicine, with most trainees based in and around Glasgow.

 

The 5 year training programme rotates on a 6 monthly basis through all areas of Haematology.  Extra time/subspecialty interest in a given area is arranged by early discussion with the TPD and relevant Specialty Area - but is predicated on satisfactory appropriate training progress overall.  All subspecialty areas can also be available to trainees from other regions by discussion with appropriate supervisors.

Rotations are organised to allow maximal flexibility whilst ensuring trainees are exposed to all areas of the specialty.  The first three rotations, lasting 18 months, are aimed at general training / Haemato-oncology with the goal to pass FRCPath Haematology Part 1 exam.  Thereafter more specialised experience in all areas and research issues are addressed culminating in passing FRCPath Part 2 in ST6/7. There are weekly regional ‘Rolling Programme’ teaching sessions for the trainees covering all aspects required to pass the FRCPath examinations. These are led by the consultants. Out with this individual sites have the own teaching programmes for trainees at these sites.

Access to audit, research and teaching is initially through educational supervisor and head of unit.  Uniquely the West of Scotland Postgraduate Training Committee has a Career Development & Research Subgroup which meets with each trainee every 2 years to offer career, CV content and research advice. 

We are fortunate to have close links with major internationally recognised University Research Departments undertaking basic molecular research in Haematology and Haematological Disorders.  For those with suitable qualifications and aptitudes, opportunities to go Out of Programme to pursue a further postgraduate degree are available.  At any time ~10-15% of our trainees will be Out of programme undertaking research.

Our Training Programme has had a high FRCPath Haematology pass rate over the last 20 years.  Further postgraduate degrees are not essential to practice as a Haematologist but 10 - 15% of our trainees will undertake Out of Programme research with MD or PhD the target.

There is the opportunity to be involved with teaching of undergraduate medical students from the University of Glasgow through annual Year 3 teaching in haematology or Student Selected Components.

Training is delivered across:

Beatson (the) West of Scotland Cancer Centre, Glasgow, University Hospital Crosshouse, Kilmarnock, Ayrshire, Forth Valley Royal Hospital - FVRH, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Golden Jubilee National Hospital, Clydebank, University Hospital Hairmyres, East Kilbride, South Lanarkshire, University Hospital Monklands, Airdrie, Royal Alexandra Hospital, Paisley , The Royal Hospital for Children Glasgow, The Queen Elizabeth University Hospital Glasgow , Stobhill Hospital, Glasgow, University Hospital Wishaw

Queen Elizabeth University Hospital                                                                            Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Glasgow
Stobhill Hospital, Glasgow
West Scotland Regional Transfusion Centre (SNBTS), Glasgow
Royal Alexandra Hospital (Paisley)
Monklands Hospital, Airdrie
Wishaw General Hospital, Wishaw
Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Glasgow
Crosshouse Hospital, Ayr
Hairmyres Hospital, East Kilbride
Forth Valley Royal Hospital, Larbert

Programme Type	Deanery based or National: Deanery
Administration office	West of Scotland
Lead Dean / Director	Professor Adam Hill
Responsible Associate Postgraduate Dean or Assistant Director (GP)	Dr Marie Freel
Specialty or Sub-specialty	Specialty or Sub-specialty: Specialty
Date of GMC recent approval	August 2010
Associated Royal College - Faculty	Joint Royal Colleges of Physicians Training Board (web site)
Curriculum and Associated Assessment System	http://www.gmc-uk.org/education/postgraduate/haematology.asp
Programme Administrator:	Named Programme Administrator: Christine Ferguson Address: NES, 2 Central Quay, 89 Hydepark Street Glasgow, G3 8BW Tel: Email: Christine.Ferguson@nhs.scot
Programme Director	Programme Director Name: Dr Ryan Rodgers Address: Tel: Email: Ryan.Rodgers@ggc.scot.nhs.uk
Quality of Training	Quality Management