Core Surgical Training in Scotland
Core Surgical Training (CST) programmes have been established in Scotland from
August 2011. There are two core surgical training programmes - one in the West of
Scotland (administered by the West of Scotland deanery) and one in the East of
Scotland (administered by the South East Scotland deanery).
The Core Surgery Training Programme
The surgical specialties contributing to CST in Scotland are General Surgery,
Urology, ENT, Plastic Surgery, Paediatric Surgery, Cardiothoracic Surgery and Oral
Maxillo-Facial Surgery (OMFS).
Unlike CST programmes in the other devolved nations, Trauma & Orthopaedics is
not part of CST in Scotland as this specialty remains a run through training
programme for 2012.
Those applicants wanting to do T&O in Scotland should apply directly for the T&O
run through programme. There are 2 T&O posts in the West of Scotland Core
Programme for those who might want to do 6 months T&O training in addition to
their specialty training. It is anticipated that these posts may be of interest to those
looking for a career in Plastic surgery, or Remote and rural surgery etc.
In 2012, two year appointments will be made at CT1 level .There will be no
appointments at CT2 level. Successful candidates appointed to a two year CT1 post
will rotate through four 6 month placements.
There are a number of themed rotations for those interested in a career in
Cardiothoracic surgery, Plastic surgery, ENT, Paediatric surgery and Remote and
Rural Surgery. Trainees wanting a career in General Surgery will be given at least 2 6
month attachments in General Surgery
Trainees progress will be monitored regularly and completion of the programme
depend upon satisfactory outcomes at the annual review (ARCP)
East of Scotland Programme
The East of Scotland programme covers a wide geographical area and posts are
available in Edinburgh, Fife, Perth, Dundee, Aberdeen, Inverness, Elgin, Fort William
and Stornaway.
Rotations will normally be organised so that the 4 posts are within a reasonable
commuting distance of each other (the exception are the remote and rural posts for
which separate arrangements are in place).
There are 14 hospitals in 6 NHS Trusts providing Core Training in the East of
Scotland – 3 Major Teaching hospitals, 2 specialist children’s hospitals and a range of
District General Hospitals both in populated and remote areas.
NHS Lothian
Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh
51, Little France Crescent
Old Dalkieth Road
EH16 4SA
A major acute teaching hospital with over 900 beds providing a full range of services
for SE Scotland. Specialist services include cardiac surgery, kidney, liver, pancreas
and bone marrow transplants. It is home to the Scottish Liver Transplant Unit.
Core posts: Cardiac surgery, Vascular surgery
Western General Hospital
Crewe Road South
EH4 2XU
A 570 bed general hospital providing a comprehensive range of general and specialist
services. It holds the regional centres for cancer care, clinical neurosciences and the
Regional Infectious Diseases Unit.
Core posts: Colorectal surgery, Breast surgery,Urology
Royal Hospital for Sick Children
9 Sciennes Road
EH9 1LF
This hospital affectionately known locally as “ the Sick Kids” has been providing a
comprehensive range of dedicated childrens services for 150 years. Plans are in place
for a new hospital adjacent to the Royal Infirmary.
Core posts: Paediatric surgery
St John’s Hospital Livingston
A Modern teaching hospital providing a wide range of services including the regional
centre for ENT surgery, Plastic surgery and Burns treatment. It opened a Short Stay
Elective Surgery unit in 2011 which treats over 3000 patients per year.
Core posts: ENT, Plastics
Borders General Hospital
A District General Hospital situated in the heart of the Borders just outside Melrose.
Provides an excellent exposure to elective and emergency general surgery.
Core posts: General Surgery
NHS Fife
Queen Margaret Hospital Dunfermline
From Jan 2012 will be a dedicated diagnostic and treatment centre providing a wide
range of day surgery, endoscopy and outpatient consultations.
Victoria Hospital Kirkcaldy
Opening January 2012 a brand new hospital providing a comprehensive inpatient
service for the patients of Fife.
There is a new Theatre Suite and Critical Care Unit providing facilities for general
surgery, vascular surgery, urology, trauma and orthopaedics,ENT, Maxillo-facial
surgery, obstetrics and gynaecology.
Core posts: General surgery
NHS Tayside
Perth Royal Infirmary
A 260 bed DGH providing a wide range of services for the people of Perth and the
surrounding area. A good range of elective General Surgery with links to Ninewells
hospital in Dundee for the emergency cover.
Core posts: General surgery.
Ninewells Hospital Dundee
A Major Teaching hospital on the outskirts of Dundee. With over 900 beds it provides
a comprehensive range of services.
Internationally renowned for its contribution to the development of Laparoscopic
surgery in the UK. It is also a leading centre for cancer management, medical genetics
and the development of robotic surgery.
Core posts: General surgery, Plastics, ENT, Urology
NHS Grampian
Aberdeen Royal Infirmary
A large Teaching hospital with over 900 beds providing a comprehensive range of
treatments to a population of 600.000.All surgical specialties except transplantation.
Core posts: General surgery – upper GI/HPB/Colorectal/Vascular, Urology,
Cardiothoracic surgery, Plastic surgery and ENT. Also ICU.
Royal Aberdeen Childrens Hospital
A new hospital opened in 2004 linked to the Royal Infirmary site, providing a full
range of childrens services for NHS Grampian, Highland,Orkney and Shetland.
Core posts: Paediatric surgery
Dr Gray’s Hospital, Elgin
A small DGH originally built in 1807 but recently extensively upgraded providing
general surgical services to the local population. Situated in a picturesque spot and an
ideal place to learn elective general surgery.
Core post: General surgery
NHS Western Isles
Western Isles Hospital
Stornaway, Isle of Lewis
A 200 bed small DGH opened in 1992. It provides general surgical and orthopaedic
services to the local population. There are no specialist registrars in surgery so the
core trainee has 1:1 training with the Consultant.
An excellent opportunity to learn basic general surgery and get an experience of
remote and rural medicine.
Core posts: General surgery
NHS Highland
Raigmore Hospital,Inverness
A DGH which provides a wide range of services for Highland and the Western Isles.
Set in a beautiful location in Inverness with an excellent teaching centre on site.
Core posts: ENT
Belford Hospital, Fort William
A small DGH situated in beautiful countryside close to the foot of Ben Nevis.
Excellent exposure to elective general surgery and significant trauma experience
because of its location close to the mountains. Great posting for those interested in
remote and rural Surgery.
Core post: General surgery
Teaching
There is a monthly teaching day for all core trainees that rotates between Edinburgh
and Aberdeen. Additional technical and non-technical modules are under
development but this year will included wet-lab sessions, laparoscopic training and
anatomy teaching.
Highland Boot Camp
A residential 4 day course aimed at Core trainees has been developed in Inverness.
Set in stunning countryside this course focuses mainly on non-technical skills but
combines that with excellent wet lab facilities. Outdoor activities are included with
plenty of time to appreciate the local scenery.
For details of the available rotations please visit the surgical recruitment site on the
KSS Deanery website.