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1. Who is the training programme director?

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Mr Stephen Aldridge

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2. Please list all of the hospitals in your deanery.

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Darlington Memorial Hospital

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Freeman Hospital, Newcastle

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North Cumbria University Hospital

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North Tyneside General Hospital

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Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Gateshead

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Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle

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Sunderland Royal Hospital

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The James Cook University Hospital,

Middlesborough

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University Hospital of North Durham

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University Hospital of North Tees

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Wansbeck General Hospital, Newcastle

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3. Where do trainees generally live? 

 

“In Newcastle: Jesmond, Gosforth and Heaton are popular areas. At the coast: Tynemouth, Cullercoats and Whitley Bay. Durham and it’s surrounding area (the central patch in our region).”

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4. How easy is it to commute to different sites, and is there car parking available?

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5. How are rotations allocated?

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“Rotations are allocated on a 6 monthly basis based on training needs.  Trainees can give preferences on rotations and senior or post exam trainees are given a priority, to reflect their sub-specialist interests towards the end of training.”

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6. Is there a trauma focussed ST3 year?

 

"We have 2 MTCs and most trainees will rotate though one of these for a 6 month dedicated trauma placement in ST3 or ST4."

 

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7. Does the deanery offer an ST3 bootcamp or equivalent induction?

 

Yes

 

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8. Is there an arthroplasty focussed ST4 year?

 

"Arthroplasty jobs are spread out throughout the pre-exam years."

 

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9. Is there a post-exam dedicated teaching program (i.e. preparation for consultant)?

 

Yes

 

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10. How often is deanery teaching?

 

"Every Monday afternoon."

 

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11. Where is deanery teaching held?

 

"Most teaching is based at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle, but it does rotate around the region."

 

 

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12. Is there an annual meeting?

 

Yes

 

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13. Are there associated registrar presentations and prizes?

 

Yes

 

 

14. Is there an established research infrastructure for trainees?

 

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15. What is the affiliated medical school?

 

Newcastle Medical School

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16. What was the overall FRCS pass rate in your deanery in the last 3 years (including both parts and all attempts)?

 

N/A

 

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17. Can you name any FRCS Gold Medal Winners from your deanery?

 

N/A

 

 

18. Are there any other interesting or important facts to mention?

 

"We are a large region and have an excellent track record for training and trainee satisfaction, check out the recent GMC surveys to see for yourself. The region as a whole is very friendly and great place to live and work. Please see the web links above for further information. We have some excellent trainers spread out between our Trusts. New ST3s benefit from a cadaveric 4-day approaches course during their first year at the Newcastle Surgical Training Centre (NSTC). There are lots of research opportunities for those wishing to pursue academic orthopaedics in addition to the regional trainee research collaborative (CORNET - https://cornetresearch.co.uk/). "

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19. Useful links:

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https://orthnorth.org.uk/orthnorth/about/

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https://www.nhsfindyourplace.co.uk/

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https://surgerynortheast.org.uk/

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