Training Programme Director: Mr Anthony Paterson
Programme Support Officer: Jon Adcock
Why choose Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery?
OMFS is a young, rapidly developing specialty. Our training provides the most comprehensive foundation in the management of conditions affecting the Head and Neck, from facial injuries to congenital abnormalities and cancers. Most OMF surgeons sub-specialise, and there are opportunities to pursue fellowships in areas such as Head and Neck Cancer, Cleft, Craniofacial and Aesthetic Surgery towards the end of your higher surgical rotation.
As a trainee what can I expect from my training programme?
This is a 5 year programme. The rotation takes you to the Cumberland Infirmary, Carlisle, James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle and Sunderland Royal Hospital.
Our OMFS programme is delivered by dedicated, enthusiastic and focused trainers. The fruits of this are a 100% success rate for trainees sitting the exit exam in the last 10 years. Two of our training hospitals are major trauma centres. You will gain an excellent grounding in the core areas of Oral Surgery, Facial Trauma, Orthognathic Surgery, Salivary Gland Disease, Head and Neck Skin Cancer and Oral Cavity Cancer. In addition to this we provide training in minimally invasive (Endoscopic) Salivary Gland procedures. Open and Endoscopic TMJ Surgery, including TMJ replacement is carried out in 2 hospitals. In Reconstructive Surgery, you will learn 3d planning techniques for Bony Reconstruction, and variety of conventional and perforator flaps. The programme provides training in the use of coupling devices as well as Sutured Microvascular Anastomosis. We are one of the few Trusts to have its own Wet Lab. There are opportunities to gain experience in Aesthetic Facial Surgery and the use of Zygomatic Implants.
What our trainees say:
Between the different units and firms of the region timetables differ with regard to allocations of theatre time with a minimum of 2.5 days per week operating. Clinics are again focused on teaching and the needs of the trainee rather than service provision. There are numerous opportunities to take part in MDTs, research, educational opportunities and interactive registrar teaching sessions. A consistent theme throughout the units is well supported theatre time in which training of registrars is a priority. The variety of caseload and volume of trauma means that upon achieving CCT candidates from this region will have a wealth of experience as first operator. On call commitments are non-resident, usually one day per week and weekend a month.
Having worked in other specialties in my more junior years I can honestly say that the priority given to trainees and quality of teaching and training in OMFS in the northern deanery is second to none, as demonstrated by the position of the deanery in the GMC survey standings.
It is a very rewarding and interesting specialty for which good manual dexterity is a key requirement. The specialty takes considerable commitment because of the length of training and can be demanding at times because of this. However, length of time required to complete training to post CCT level is on average no longer than for singularly qualified surgeons pursuing ENT or Plastic Surgery head and neck specialty training which often includes fellowships post CCT.