The Department is a based on a single site at Birmingham Children’s Hospital. It serves a population of 5.2 million. There is a 15-bedded Neonatal Surgical Ward and a 19-bedded ward for older children. In addition, short stay beds are available in the Surgical Assessment Unit and on overnight Observation Ward in the Emergency Department. The department also has access to a 20-bedded Paediatric Intensive Care Unit.
Training Programme
Training in the specialty is overseen by a Training Committee which includes six paediatric surgeons (Mr Parikh, Mr Lander, Mr Jawaheer, Mr Arul, Mr Jester and Mr Singh), three paediatric urologists (Mr Parashar, Mr Chandran & Mr McCarthy and two paediatric Hepatobiliary surgeons (Professor Chardot & Mr Sharif).
In addition to providing training in General Paediatric Surgery in children up to the age of 16 years, the trainers at Birmingham Children’s Hospital provide sub-specialty training in neonatal surgery, upper and lower gastrointestinal surgery, oncology and venous access, non-cardiac thoracic surgery, hepatopancreatic-biliary surgery, including liver and small bowel transplantation. Training in minimal access surgery is provided within the fields of gastrointestinal, hepatobiliary and thoracic surgery and urology.
The SpRs/StRs are each assigned an Educational Supervisor and training is delivered by the 11 consultant surgeons who act as Clinical Supervisors. Each SpR/StR would normally be assigned a trainer for a period of six months and requests to receive training within specific fields to develop subspecialty interests are usually encouraged and accommodated. This provides a comprehensive general training with the development of sub-specialty interests.
On-call rota
The consultant on-call is 1 in 6 for Paediatric Surgery and 1 in 3 for Urology. The on-call consultant for Paediatric Surgery undertakes no elective Paediatric Surgical activity during the on-call week. During normal working hours, there are two SpR/StRs on-call for Paediatric Surgery and Urology respectively. Between 1700 and 0800, one SpR/StR is on-call for both specialties. The on-call SpR/StR will be expected to be resident in the hospital. There are two daily handovers between 0800 and 0830 and between 1700 and 1730. The SpR/StR on-call rota is 1 in 11 with prospective cover (Banding 2A/1A). It is expected that the SpR/StR will make every effort to avoid being on leave during the on-call week. To facilitate this, the on-call rota is published well in advance.
There is a junior tier of staff consisting of Foundation and Core Trainees who work on a full shift rota basis.
Assessments
The Surgical Training Committee meets regularly, with representatives from the West Midlands Deanery, to discuss the training programme, assessments and trainee placements. Representatives from Cardiff and Bristol join the Training Committee when ARCPs are held.
Study & Annual Leave
Applications for study leave are made to the Clinical Tutor at Birmingham Children’s Hospital. The application process involves prior approval by the rota manager and the Educational Supervisor. The study leave budget is managed by the Clinical Tutor. Study leave is granted for mandatory courses/study days and activities with a strong educational component.
Annual leave is granted following approval by the rota manager and the Consultant Clinical Supervisor. Accumulation of leave over a prolonged period is discouraged. The clinical duties of SpRs/StRs on leave is prospectively covered by their colleagues. Leave of absence cover is arranged through the rota manager. It is mandatory that applications for leave be made a minimum of six weeks prior to the period of absence.
Multidisciplinary Meetings
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Surgical Grand Round
This weekly activity takes place on a Friday morning. The Paediatric Surgical Department in conjunction with Consultant Gastroenterologists discuss complex gastrointestinal cases. The discussion then focuses on all remaining in-patients within the department. This exercise provides trainees with the opportunity to present clinical cases and participate in in-depth discussions centering on patient management.
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Paediatric Surgical Radiology Conference (Fortnightly)
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Histopathology Conference (Monthly)
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Nephro Urology Meeting (Weekly)
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Tumour Study Group Meeting (Weekly)
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Hepatobillary Radiology Conference (Weekly)
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Gastroenterology Radiology Conference (Fortnightly)
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Thoracic/Respiratory Radiology Conference (Weekly)
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Antenatal Meeting (Monthly)