Specialty Registrar (StR) - South West Peninsula Deanery

StR (ST3 level) IN ORTHOPAEDIC AND TRAUMA SURGERY
JOB DESCRIPTION
The South West Peninsula Deanery has vacancies for Specialty Registrars on the Trauma and
Orthopaedic training rotation, entering by competitive selection at ST3 level. The training programme
leads to the award of a Certificate of Completion of Training, subject to satisfactory progress,
monitored by the Annual Review (ARCP) process.
Applicants should satisfy the essential criteria for entry and selection to enter Specialty Training at
ST3 in Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery on the 2011 Person Specification published by PMETB.
The initial placement will be at Truro, Plymouth, Exeter or Torbay. The number and location of posts
on the rotation may be changed before the interview. Registrars usually work for a single consultant
or on a firm with a sub-specialty interest. Most attachments are for 6 months and trainees typically
rotate at 1-2 year intervals through three of the four Trusts during the Training Programme. Each
hospital has a consultant-led trauma service and teams of surgeons in elective subspecialties which
include revision surgery, hip and knee, foot and ankle, upper limb, paediatrics and spine. Not all
specialties are represented in each Trust.
There are numerous teaching sessions within the Trusts and formal teaching at one of the Trusts
alternate Fridays, which trainees are required to attend. Trainees are expected to take full
advantage of practical and professional training opportunities and to assemble evidence of
competencies mastered and other achievements such as audit projects and research. Trainees take
the UKITE in-training exam and a mock FRCS(T&O) exam each year and receive feedback on their
performance and progress.
THE HOSPITALS
Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro
There are 56 trauma beds and seven paediatric orthopaedic beds. There are two dedicated trauma
theatres equipped with modern facilities for the management of major trauma. The Intensive
Therapy Unit is linked directly to the trauma theatres. The Accident Unit has a fully equipped Shock
Room, and a trauma team comprising experienced orthopaedic, anaesthetic and general surgical
staff, led by ATLS-trained personnel. There are on site thoracic surgery facilities.
There are two elective orthopaedic wards in the Trelawny Wing with 34 adult beds, 3 day case beds
and two dedicated orthopaedic operating theatres. All patients for major surgery are seen in the
nurse practitioner pre-admission clinic. Elective orthopaedic out patient clinics are held in a purpose
built suite. Special clinics in hand surgery, paediatric orthopaedics, gait disorders, spinal
deformities, knee, shoulder, rheumatoid arthritis and foot disorders are held at Treliske. Outpatient
clinics are held in Penzance, Redruth, Falmouth, Newquay, Bodmin and St. Austell. The service is
supported by after-care physiotherapists and a neonatal hip ultrasonographer.
Princess Elizabeth Orthopaedic Centre, Exeter
The Princess Elizabeth Orthopaedic Centre serves a population of 325,000 and receives tertiary
referrals. Orthopaedics, trauma and rheumatology comprise a single clinical directorate with 30,000
out-patient attendances and approximately 2,500 trauma and 3,000 elective operations are
performed each year.