Forthcoming Fellowships will be advertised on NHS Jobs website.
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For informal visit to the Unit, please contact: Mr S Bale’s PA, Lucy Nolan on tel: 0330 7706248, email lucy.nolan@wwl.nhs.uk
For any enquiries, please email: lucy.nolan@wwl.nhs.uk
JOB DESCRIPTION
UPPER LIMB FELLOWSHIP
BACKGROUND
Wrightington Hospital stands in a pleasant stretch of open countryside between Wigan and Southport, in extensive grounds formerly the estate of Wrightington Hall. The hospital is readily accessible from the national motorway network, sited just half a mile from Junction 27 of the M6 motorway. There is easy access to the Lake District, North Wales, Peak District and the University cities of Manchester and Liverpool.
Wrightington Hospital is a name familiar to all orthopaedic surgeons following the studies in total hip joint replacement, which were carried out by the late Professor Sir John Charnley.
Comprising 70 beds, the hospital incorporates the Hip Centre, Upper Limb Unit and a 19-bedded private patient Unit - the John Charnley Wing, as well as a 10-bedded Rheumatology Unit. There are 6 inpatient wards, an outpatient department, a pre-operative assessment clinic and 10 theatres (3 are dedicated to upper limb surgeries). Majority of the upper limb surgeries are performed as day cases.
The fellowship provides exposure and training in all aspects of upper limb surgery, including open surgery, arthroscopic surgery, image-guided surgery and microsurgery for degenerative, inflammatory and traumatic conditions affecting the hand, wrist, elbow and shoulder.
Educational Facilities
Libraries
There is a library in the conference centre with a contemporary collection of upper-limb related textbooks and a large collection of journals. This is supplemented by the library service provided at the Royal Albert Edward Infirmary (Wigan Infirmary) that can also supply most journal articles on request if not already available on the Athens server.
Bioskills Cadaveric Laboratory
There is a Bioskills cadaveric laboratory facility that is used frequently for research and educational purposes. The consultants demonstrate surgical techniques and anatomical studies can be carried out. Fellows can customise training sessions to learn specific techniques or practise anatomical exposures. The Bioskills lab is also used throughout the year for advanced training courses organised by Wrightington Hospital. Fellows are encouraged to participate in these events either as delegates or observers/facilitators. Customised lab sessions require the presence of one consultant assisted by the technician.
John Charnley Research Institute
The John Charnley Research Institute (JCI) is a venue used for educational meetings and for in-house training events or visiting speakers. The Upper Limb Research Unit is also based in the JCI. It is the centre for coordination of on-going trials and clinical studies at Wrightington Hospital. Facilities for private study and research are available for use by the fellows.
Simulation Training Room
The surgeons’ room has been upgraded to house state-of-the-art arthroscopic surgery simulators that are freely available for use by the Fellows. The systems record an individual’s progress in terms of efficiency and ability to complete pre-defined tasks in arthroscopic surgery.
Consultant Upper Limb Surgeons
- Prof I.A. Trail Shoulder, elbow, wrist, hand
- Prof S.R. Murali Hand, wrist, elbow
- Mr M.J. Hayton Hand, wrist
- Prof L. Funk Shoulder
- Mr S.C. Talwalkar Hand, wrist, elbow
- Prof A.C. Watts Elbow, upper limb
- Prof P. Monga Shoulder
- Mr M. Walton Shoulder
- Mr S. Bale Shoulder
- Mr C.Y. Ng Hand, wrist, peripheral nerve
- Mr S. Akhtar Hand, plastics, microsurgery
- Mr M.Ricks Shoulder, elbow, wrist, hand
- Mr A.Wright Shoulder, elbow
JOB DETAILS
Organisation of the Fellowship
There are 9 or 10 senior trainees in the Upper limb Unit at any time, including:
- 2 ST7/8 in Orthopaedics (post-FRCS) from North West and Mersey deaneries
- 1 Training Interface Group (TIG) Hand Fellow
- Upper Limb Fellows
Fellows rotate through 3-monthly rotations. Rotations may be arranged to facilitate the development of subspecialist interests of individual fellow. Fellows are assigned to one to three consultants for any rotation in order to maximise the training opportunities available. In addition, Fellows are also expected to participate in the clinical activities of other teams, should the need arise during the fellowship. Fellows are expected to embrace the philosophy of teamwork that the Unit thrives on.
Duration of Fellowship
6 or 12 months appointment
DUTIES OF THE POST
Clinical Responsibilities
- Attend clinics at Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh as required.
- Participate in both elective and emergency surgery as required.
- Carry out ward rounds and pre-clerk patients on the day of surgery. In addition to consent, all patients for theatre require a thromboprophylaxis assessment to be completed by the admitting doctor.
- Manage inpatients in conjunction with allied specialties at the Royal Albert Edward Infirmary (Wigan Infirmary).
- Maintain clear and contemporaneous medical records.
Academic Responsibilities
- Attend and participate actively in all teaching programme.
- Participate in basic science and clinical research projects. Fellows are encouraged to present and publish their research.
- Participate in the journal clubs. Proceedings are then submitted to the Bone and Joint Journal for online publication.
Weekly Teaching Sessions:
- Tuesday am - Shoulder teaching (Ward 1 Doctor’s Office – 07.00 start)
- Wednesday pm - Hand Surgery teaching (Ward 1 Doctor’s Office – 17.30 start)
- Thursday pm – Consultant-led teaching session/surgical technique or equipment demonstration (JCI/Bioskills Lab – 17.30 start)
ANNUAL LEAVE
All applications for annual leave, study leave, statutory holidays and days in lieu should be approved by the supervising consultants, the consultant in charge of rota and submitted on the appropriate form to the medical staff co-ordinator at least 6 weeks prior to the period of leave.
No more than 3 Fellows should be on annual/study leave at any one time so as to facilitate cover by colleagues.
WORKING HOURS
The contracted hours attached to this post are as follows:
Standard Working Week 40 hours
There are no on-call duties.
CONDITIONS OF SERVICE
The terms and conditions of service applicable (including those relating to leave and sick pay) are set out in the Terms and Conditions of Service of Hospital Medical and Dental Staff (England and Wales) and the General Whitley Council as amended from time to time.
RESIDENTIAL ARRANGEMENTS
The post is voluntarily resident when on-call, and single accommodation will be provided free of charge. However a lodging fee will be payable for voluntary resident practitioners in accordance with the Terms and Conditions of Service of Hospital Medical and Dental Staff. There is also a limited provision of married accommodation for which a rental is appropriate.
CONDITIONS OF APPOINTMENT
a. Possession of a recognised medical qualification and full or limited registration with the General Medical Council.
b. Possession of relevant immigration status
c. The postholder must hold a certificate of competence in the use of Ionising Radiation, in accordance with the Ionising Radiation Protection of Persons undergoing Medical Examination or Treatment Regulations 1988.
d. The appointment is also subject to a satisfactory medical examination and a test for T.B. tolerance on appointment. Documented proof of your current Hepatitis B immune status will also be required.
e. Statutory pre-employment checks will be made, including an application to the Criminal Records Bureau for an Enhanced Disclosure.