Senior Fellow in Plastic Surgery Lower Limb​/Sarcoma Microsurgery​/Reconstruction

NHSGGC is one of the largest healthcare systems in the UK employing around 40,000 staff in a wide range of clinical and non-clinical professions and job roles. We deliver acute hospital, primary, community and mental health care services to a population of over 1.15 million and a wider population of 2.2 million when our regional and national services are included.

The Canniesburn Burns and Plastic Surgery Unit is a world-renowned centre for reconstructive microsurgery, performing 250-300 free flaps per year. The unit specialises in microsurgical breast reconstruction, orthoplastic lower limb reconstruction, sarcoma, and head and neck cancer. It provides comprehensive general plastic surgery including elective and traumatic hand surgery, melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer, perineal reconstruction, vascular anomalies, laser services, facial palsy, cleft surgery, congenital hand surgery, and elective and acute paediatric plastic surgery.

Canniesburn delivers national services for brachial plexus injuries and for all major adult and paediatric burns across Scotland. The unit works closely with Orthopaedics, Breast Surgery, General Surgery, Paediatrics, Gynaecology, Dermatology, Rheumatology, Maxillofacial Surgery, and Neurosurgery.

The unit is part of the Regional Services Directorate within NHSGGC Acute Division. Services are primarily delivered at Glasgow Royal Infirmary (GRI), with major orthoplastic limb trauma, head and neck reconstruction, and paediatric surgery delivered at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH Level 1 Major Trauma Centre) and the Royal Hospital for Children. Outpatient clinics are held across GRI, QEUH, the children’s hospital, and peripheral hospitals throughout the West of Scotland.

Job Title: Senior Fellow in Plastic Surgery Microsurgical Lower Limb and Sarcoma Reconstruction

This fellowship is aimed at senior trainees seeking advanced subspecialty training in orthoplastic lower limb trauma and sarcoma reconstruction. Applicants who are approaching FRCS (Plast) exit or who have completed training are encouraged to apply.

A separate breast reconstruction fellowship exists within the unit; therefore, this post is particularly suited to candidates with a primary interest in lower limb orthoplastic reconstruction and sarcoma surgery. Exposure to breast reconstruction and other microsurgical work (hand, upper limb, head and neck, facial palsy, and brachial plexus) will be supported but will form a minority of the workload. The fellowship offers flexibility to meet individual learning objectives.

The postholder will:

• Deliver the highest standard of patient care
• Be responsible for day-to-day inpatient management under consultant supervision
• Provide clinical and educational support to junior trainees
• Participate in equitable training while prioritising cases relevant to subspecialty development

Most acute orthoplastic lower limb trauma is managed at QEUH within the Major Trauma Centre. The Fellow will work closely with Orthopaedic and Major Trauma teams and, supported by trainees and the Orthoplastic Advanced Nurse Practitioner, will oversee patient management including leading a weekly MDT and grand round.

The Fellow will work under the supervision of four orthoplastic lower limb consultants, with access to:

• Minimum two dedicated orthoplastic theatre sessions per week
• 23 orthoplastic clinics per month

Sub-acute and chronic lower limb reconstruction is undertaken at both GRI and QEUH. Sarcoma reconstruction is primarily delivered at GRI, with some joint working at the Golden Jubilee Hospital and Royal Hospital for Children. Fellows will attend weekly sarcoma MDTs and surgical planning meetings and will contribute to audit, outcomes reporting, and M&M meetings.

• Weekly consultant-led departmental teaching
• Mandatory monthly audit and M&M meetings
• Access to regional and national teaching
• Opportunities to attend and contribute to:
  • National and international webinar series
  • Bi-annual FRCS pre-fellowship course
  • Microsurgery course
  • Annual cadaveric flap course (University of Glasgow)

Strong academic links exist with…