Specialty: Renal Medicine
GMC: WOS/447
Deanery sponsoring programme:
West of Scotland
Postgraduate Dean:
Professor Alastair McLellan
Responsible Associate Dean/GP Director:
Dr David Marshall
Programme Type -


Deanery-based or National:
Deanery
Specialty or Sub-specialty:
Specialty
Date of GMC recent approval:
August 2010
Associated Royal College / Faculty
The Joint Royal Colleges of Physicians Training Board (JRCPTB)
Web address
Link
Curriculum and Associated Assessment
System
Link
Date programme information last updated
September 2012
Recognised Programme Locations and Environments
This programme involves placements in some or all of these Health Boards and hospitals:
West of Scotland – placements in Glasgow hospitals and Ayrshire, Dumfries and Lanarkshire;
Western Infirmary Glasgow
Ayr Hospital, Ayr
Royal Alexandra Hospital, Paisley
Crosshouse Hospital, Kilmarnock
Wishaw General Hospital, Wishaw
Dumfries Royal Infirmary, Dumfries
Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Glasgow
Inverclyde Royal Hospital, Greenock
Monklands hospital, Airdrie
Hairmyres Hospital, Hairmyres
Programme Director
Dr Ellon McGregor
Contact
Email: ellon.mcgregor@ggc.scot.nhs.uk
Programme Description
1 a. What particular specialty learning opportunities does this program provide e.g. sub-specialty exposure,
especially those which are not available elsewhere?
Comprehensive training in all aspects of Renal Medicine is provided including renal transplantation. All forms of
dialysis are undertaken locally and trainees will have the opportunity to learn about home therapies, amongst them,
daily home based haemodialysis. Trainees will participate in general nephrology and transplant follow-up clinics, as
well as more specialised low clearance, diabetes, hypertension, and maternal medicine clinics. They will spend time
in both teaching hospital and district general hospital renal service settings and become proficient in techniques of
dialysis line insertion and renal biopsy (native and transplant). All trainees gain ITU experience through a month’s
secondment and all are expected to participate throughout their training years in a renal on-call rota, comprising two
levels of middle grade cover, closely supervised by consultants. It is customary for trainees to attend the Renal
Association’s Advanced Nephrology Course, Parts 1 and 2 and many other specialty meetings, funded through study
leave budget allocation. On occasions, trainees have traveled to other centres in the UK and abroad to gain
additional expertise in specific areas. Trainees may apply to work flexibly if necessary.
Specialty: Renal Medicine
GMC: WOS/447
b. How do trainees access these opportunities?
During years of training, trainees will rotate around different units, thus gaining broad experience of in- and outpatient nephrology. All participants will have the opportunity to work in the acute transplant unit based at the Western
Infirmary, for sufficient time to satisfy the requirements for CCT and all will gain experience of dialysis supervision. If
individuals have specific learning goals or needs these will be identified and met. Training is formally reviewed
annually at the ARCP, but informal access to educational supervisors at local sites and to the Renal Training
Programme Director is encouraged, to ensure comprehensive and appropriate experience is gained.
2 a. What opportunities are there for research, audit and teaching?
All trainees will be expected to undertake individual audit projects, and the new renal electronic database (SERPR)
which facilitates such research. In addition, all Scottish Renal Units engage in local and national audit, under the
auspices of The Scottish and UK Renal Registries. There is scope for trainees to pursue clinical research and in the
past many such projects have been supported by local renal endowment funds. There are also formal links with the
University of Glasgow, in particular with the British Heart Foundation Glasgow Cardiovascular Research Centre
through Professor Alan Jardine, one of the team of nephrologists. Most trainees register for higher degrees in either
laboratory or clinical sciences and there is a track record of funding from National Grant Awarding Bodies.
Trainees are expected to be involved in teaching of nursing staff, undergraduate and postgraduate medical
colleagues. All are encouraged to train in teaching and supervision techniques through the SCOT’s course.
The city units run monthly SpR/ ST training afternoons in nephrology in protected time, which all higher trainees
should attend. In addition there is a monthly Renal CME meeting for all medical staff, monthly CPC meetings, a
weekly transplant journal club, quarterly West of Scotland renal meetings and twice yearly Scottish Renal Association
meetings at which trainees can present their audit and research projects. Attendance at National and International
meetings is encouraged and supported where possible and all trainees will be assisted in their preparation for the
SCE in Nephrology.
b. How do trainees access these opportunities?
Protected time is available for ST teaching and attendance at other educational events is supported through local
arrangements to provide cover with financial support from the deanery renal training budget.
3 a. How are rotations are hospital sites organised?
By TPD following discussion with trainees, local educational supervisors and the Deanery.
b. Which hospitals are involved?
Western Infirmary, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Monklands Hospital, Crosshouse Hospital and Dumfries and Galloway
Royal Infirmary (all in-patient sites). In addition, trainees may attend clinics or dialysis units at Glasgow Royal
Infirmary, Inverclyde, Royal Alexandra, New Victoria, Stobhill and Vale of Leven Hospitals.
c. What degree of choice is there for trainees?
All trainees will experience placements at the Western Infirmary unit interspersed with attachments to other regional
Renal services at Monklands, Crosshouse, and occasionally Dumfries, hospitals during their training. They will also
be expected to undertake out-patient clinics and possibly dialysis supervision at other appropriate sites but, as far as
possible, continuity of service will be built in and individuals’ requests and needs taken into consideration. Over the
years of training most doctors will have gained experience at several sites. At district general hospitals which do not
have dedicated renal rotas renal trainees may be asked to participate in covering acute general medicine ‘out of
hours’.
Specialty: Renal Medicine
GMC: WOS/447
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?
The West of Scotland programme offers a monthly renal training session which over a three years cycle will cover all
aspects of the renal curriculum. The format of this may be revised in the next year, but the coverage of curricular
content will remain comprehensive. In addition there are many other training opportunities as outlined above.
5. What can trainees expect of their trainers in this post?
Trainees can expect strong support and encouragement from seniors with widely ranging expertise, cohesive team
working, with recognition of and respect for individual needs, intellectual challenges, clear communication and a
friendly and enjoyable working environment.
6. What are key markers of success? (e.g. exam pass rates. MD, PhD, papers)
Success is reflected by good trainee feedback from doctors who enjoy coming to work, and who are encouraged and
supported to undertake training in spheres beyond the basic curricular requirements. West of Scotland trainees have
had high pass rates in the SCE Nephrology exam, and the majority of trainees leave the programme with publications
in peer reviewed journals, a higher degree, and excellent career prospects.
7. What additional information would you like to include that may encourage trainees to apply for specialty
training in this programme in preference to similar programmes in other parts of the UK?
There are ample training opportunities in the West of Scotland, not least because of the large population we serve
and a well-resourced local health service. In addition to excellent specialty experience, trainees can enjoy the
cultural, recreational, social and geographical benefits of Glasgow and beyond.
How to apply
http://www.scotmt.scot.nhs.uk/
Deanery Administrative Contacts
Name
Janice Walker
Address
NES, 2 Central Quay, 89 Hydepark Street, Glasgow, G3 8BW
Tel
0141 223 1422
Email
Janice.Walker@nes.scot.nhs.uk
Specialty Training Committee
Chair
Members
Dr David Marshall
Dr Catherine MacLean, Dr Catherine O’Dowd, Dr Colin Perry, Dr
Derek Gillen, Dr Alistair Dorward, Dr Stephen Glen, Dr Angela
Drummond, Dr Stewart Ferguson, Dr Robert Boulton-Jones, Dr
Jennifer Burns, Dr Graham Curry, Dr Ellon McGregor, Dr Steve
Bicknell, Dr Anne McEntegart, Dr Brian Walker, Professor Kennedy
Specialty: Renal Medicine
GMC: WOS/447
Lees, Dr Ashita Waterston, Dr Alok Tyagi, Dr John Tolmie, Professor
Matthew Walters, Dr Ray Fox, Dr Bhupinder Panesar, Dr Jan
Wallace, Dr Rak Nandwani, Dr Peter Galloway, Dr Alastair Leckie,
Dr Moira Thomas, Dr Alison Mitchell, Dr Aline Russell, Professor
Paul Knight, Dr Jean Robson, Dr Hugh Neill, Dr David McQueen, Mr
John Breckenridge (Lay Rep), Mr Henry McEwan (Lay Rep)
Quality of Training
GMC Trainee Survey Information (2011)
Link