Job Description

Vacancies:

The training programme is organised so that resident doctors spend the first three years rotating through the district general hospitals where they gain exposure, training and experience in the major subspecialties. Rotations are designed to be as convenient as possible and the unique geography of the region means that there is not a lengthy commute or the prospect of moving home. 

The training programme in the East Midlands benefits from facilities including a cataract simulator prior to and during cataract surgical training. The region also boasts a very well equipped simulation centre which offers clinical scenario simulation in addition to surgical simulation. 
Cataract surgical training is one of the strengths of the region and Lincoln County Hospital is the flagship hospital for cataract surgical training. In recent years, it is not unusual for ST1 rsident doctors to have completed in excess of 80 complete cataract operations at the end of their first year. 

Resident doctors will also benefit from excellent opportunities for research especially in neuro-ophthalmology. Leicester Royal Infirmary is linked to the University of Leicester – one of the UK’s top 25 universities – and there are openings both for an Academic Clinical Fellow at ST1 level and Academic Clinical Lecturer at ST3 level. Several trainees in the past ten years have also been on an ‘out of programme’ experience in order to complete a PHD. 

For further details please see the East Midlands – Ophthalmology Website 

TOP of the 2019, 2018 & 2017 GMC survey: rated highest average across all 18 domains in the country out of all 15 regions. 

2019 results 
– Overall average score of all 16 domains = 80.59 (Top of all 15 regions) 
– Regional Teaching = 85.34 (Top of all 15 regions) 
– Educational Supervision = 89.34 (4/15) 
– Overall satisfaction = 86.53 (2/15) 

We have split our region into 3 manageable sub-rotations based around Addenbrooke’s or Norwich (voted in the top 3 units in the country for training). This negates the issue of huge commutes yet remains flexible to resident doctor needs and commitments outside of work. East of England has wonderful and affordable places to work, live and bring up families. Quality of life is high. 

– East (Norwich / Cambridge / Bury St.Edmunds / Ipswich / James Paget) 
– South (Cambridge / Southend / Colchester / Chelmsford / Welwyn Garden / Watford / Luton) 
– West (Cambridge / Norwich / Peterborough / Huntingdon / Luton) 

Surgical training opportunities are vast with little competition for cases. Our resident doctors regularly achieve 600-1000 phacos along with significant exposure to all subspecialty operations. Final year fellowships (TSC’s) are freely available without competition and further refine skills allowing resident doctors to confidently apply for future post CCT fellowships. 

East of England is a vibrant and friendly place to train with huge emphasis on getting lots of surgical / clinical experience and training.  Some of the highlights of our training include 

Simulation Facilities: very very strong 
– 3 EyESi simulators 
– 2 wetlabs 
– Cataract & complications simulation day 
– Cadaveric simulation day (strabismus) 
– Cadaveric simulation day (oculoplastics) 
– Trabeculectomy simulation day 
– Trauma simulation day 

All the above are free to our resident doctors 

Research Opportunities: 

– Research projects available at all units, especially 2 teaching hospitals. Involvement in NIHR trials via the resident doctor network as above 
– Research training day annually 
– Research annual Prize competition

Description of what the Regional / Local teaching Programmes provide: 

– Very strong – Regional Teaching = 85.34 (Top of all 15 regions)- 11 CORE regional study days (covering core curriculum with interactive lectures in the morning and afternoon OSCEs to practice examination and exam skills) 
– Friday afternoon Norwich teaching 
– Wed / Thur / Fri AM Cambridge teaching 
– Several smaller units also organise ½ day teaching in house weekly 
– 5 Simulation days (as above) 
– Senior doctor Development Day 
– Research Training Day 
– Research Prize competition day 
– Case Presentation competition day 
– Exam Preparation Day 
– Regional Clinical Governance Day 

New Regional Allied Health Professional teaching program also starting 

Resident doctors appointed to Cambridge, Ipswich, Southend, West Suffolk, Luton & Dunstable, Moorfields, Cardiff, Liverpool, Southampton amongst others. 

For further information please contact Evangelos Minos  (TPD) or visit the East of England Website.  Please visit the https://heeoe.hee.nhs.uk/ophthalmology_welcome to see opportunities to come and meet us / meet some of our resident doctors, trainers and researchers. 

The HEKSS School of Ophthalmology was formed in 2011 and our commitment to excellence in patient care, education, and research is unparalleled. 
The HEKSS training programme in Ophthalmology is a 7 year run-through programme from the first ST1 year to the final ST7 Resident doctor Selected Component (TSC) which is a sub-specialty year in a HEKSS or London unit. 
We aim to give a good grounding in the basics for the first 2 years including a good start to gaining competency in cataract surgery. We support all our resident doctors in achieving a goal of having completed 100 cataract operations by the end of the ST2 year which is twice the number recommended nationally! 
Our ST1’s stay in the same Trust for the first two years and so get the benefit of some stability. In the first two years resident doctors will have a half day of protected teaching and a half day of personal study weekly. 
Resident doctors will then rotate around posts in Kent, Surrey and Sussex from ST3 onwards ensuring a good mix of experience in all of the ophthalmology sub-specialties. We are not able to guarantee being placed in any particular part of the region in each year resident doctors will have the opportunity to rank the posts each year and we aim to be as family-friendly and thoughtful as possible when deciding placements. In these four years resident doctors  will have a half day of protected teaching and two half days for personal study weekly. The undertaking of research is actively supported throughout training. 

For further information view the KSS Ophthalmology team or visit the KSS Ophthalmology Specialty Website. 

North & South  London 

Ophthalmology is a vital and competitive specialty that evolves with the latest advances in medical technology. The London School of Ophthalmology co-ordinates the training programme in Ophthalmology at world-renowned teaching institutions including Moorfields Eye Hospital, St Thomas Hospital, Imperial College, as well as a number of excellent district general hospitals. Working with a diverse healthcare population across London, resident doctors will gain experience and training in a wide range of conditions in urban communities. 
 
Please note that candidates can apply for the North London Ophthalmology Programme and/or the South London Ophthalmology Programme.  These are run separately. Please see the London Ophthalmology Specialty Training Website for further detail. 
For further information or questions please contact the PGMDE Support Portal. 

NHS England – North East & North Cumbria (HEENE) delivers Ophthalmology training based on the latest 2024 curriculum set by the Royal College of Ophthalmology and approved by the General Medical Council (GMC). 

The North East of England and North Cumbria is a wonderful and friendly place to work, live and raise a family. 

The resident training programme is comprehensive and of a high standard.  Basic level 1 and 2 ophthalmic and surgical training is provided in the first 2 years and in subsequent years level 3 and level 4 training is provided in all special interest areas, except in level 4 community ophthalmology. HEENE is committed to supporting residents throughout their time in the region and aims to prepare them to a high standard in preparation to take up consultant posts. 

Training highlights include: 
– A 4-day regional ophthalmology induction programme for newly appointed residents. 
– Latest technologies to deliver excellent learning opportunities, including use of two EyeSi surgical simulators with both phacoemulsification and vitreoretinal modules available. 
– Wet lab facilities with wet lab microscopes and table mounts microscopes. 
– Post-graduate curriculum-based teaching is supplemented with structured trabeculectomy, oculoplastic, squint, trauma and laser wet lab courses.   
– Involvement in research, audit and innovation is encouraged. 
– Annual research and innovation: participation in summer competition encouraged to showcase and present resident led work. 
– The region supports residents applying for academic ophthalmology. Additional out of program research leading to MD or PhD is encouraged. 
– Surgical support and careers advice.
– Excellent exam success. Overall, region is ranked 1/16 in 2023 for exam pass rate and 3/18 between 2014 and 2023. Additional support for exams is available.

For further information please see the North East website / NHS Find Your Place or contact england.letsurgeryfamily@nhs.net, People Services at the Lead Employer Trust. 
 

Run-through training in OMFS has been established in NHS England – North West from its inception and has had a successful experience as part of the original pitot scheme. NHS England – North West is the result of the merger of Mersey Deanery with North Western Deanery. There are 2 Core Surgical Programmes – Eastern Sector (Greater Manchester, Lancashire and South Cumbria) and Western Sector (Cheshire and Merseyside), and the ST1 will start within the Core programme (CT1 equivalent) and run-through to ST3 dependent on successful ARCP outcome. We usually have at least 1 post in each core programme.
OMFS Core Training – OMFS at ST1 and ST2 is delivered in line with the Intercollegiate Surgical Curriculum Project www.iscp.ac.uk.

Cheshire, Merseyside and North Wales (West Sector)
The training posts will usually be 2 6-months posts within the Cheshire and Merseyside region, placements can include General Surgery, Trauma and Orthopaedics, Plastic Surgery or ENT depending on the experience of the resident doctor. It is expected that the resident doctor will move to ST3 following completion of ST1.
Please visit the Core Surgery recruitment pages of the North West School of Surgery website for confirmed details of Placements for ST1/ST2 (placements usually confirmed in early January).

Greater Manchester and Lancashire (East Sector)
The ST1 placements are anticipated to consist of 6 months in OMFS and 6 months in General Surgery. It is expected that the resident doctor will move to ST3 following completion of ST1.
Please visit the Core Surgery recruitment pages of the North West School of Surgery website for confirmed details of Placements for ST1/ST2 (placements usually confirmed in early January).

Higher Specialty Training
The ST1 /ST2 will run-through into a ST3 post in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery within the linked Higher Specialty Training Programme. There are 2 OMFS specialty training rotations within NHS England – North West:
– Cheshire, Merseyside and North Wales – Western Sector – Ten ST3-7 posts
– Greater Manchester and Lancashire – Eastern Sector – Eleven ST3-7 posts

For any further information visit the NHS England – North West website or contact england.surgery.nw@nhs.net

Ophthalmic services are provided in two main locations in Northern Ireland; at the Royal Victoria Hospital and the Mater Hospital in Belfast and in Altnagelvin Area Hospital in Londonderry/Derry. There are some theatre and clinic sessions in peripheral hospitals which work on a “Hub and Spoke” model from the main centres.  The Training programme includes 18 trainees, 3 Foundation Year 2 trainees and academic positions.  Trainees are based mainly in Belfast but rotate to Altnagelvin for three 6 month attachments.

Clinical and Laboratory research is encouraged and those appointed to the programme are encouraged to engage in research in the Centre for Experimental Science (CEM), Queen’s University Belfast. The centre strategically focuses most of its research effort on major retinal diseases, using multidisciplinary basic and clinical approaches and enjoys income in excess of £1 million annually. The CEM is recognised for research into diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, inherited retinal diseases and low vision.  There is academic expertise in the following areas: experimental models, epidemiology, genetics, evidence synthesis, diagnostic technologies and global eye health. Opportunities are available also on a yearly basis for ACF and ACL positions. The centre also houses a vibrant clinical research network (NICRN) which enjoys a large portfolio of both commercial and non-commercial research studies.
For further information please email the Ophthalmology Team and visit the Northern Ireland Medical and Dental Training Agency website

There are four geographical regions within the Scotland Deanery offering training programmes in Ophthalmology. Please click on the links below for more information on each region: 

West – centred on Glasgow 
South-East - centred on Edinburgh 
East - centred on Dundee 
North - centred on Aberdeen 

Within each region resident doctors rotate through a mix of district general and tertiary referral hospitals to gain from the experience of working with different teams and consultants. All subspecialties are offered including opportunities for all at Level 4.

Some features of training in the Scottish Deanery are: Cataract surgery training is offered from day one after doing the compulsory simulation surgery course, consultants are friendly and interested in teaching, resident doctors are well supported, the NHS in Scotland enjoys a close working relationship with optometrists, orthoptists and vision support officers whilst NHS funding is unique in that departments are directly funded to provide care rather than commissioned by the CCGs. You will find research and audit is encouraged and supported by the resident doctor research network. The contribution of resident doctors is valued, and the Scottish government has chosen not to change the Resident Doctors’ Contract. 

Living in Scotland offers something for everyone whatever your interests. Every outdoor pursuit is available on our doorstep. We have a vibrant culture, no long commutes to work, affordable house prices, and excellent national and international transport links. 

Scotland ranks highly for resident doctor satisfaction in the GMC survey for Ophthalmology. You can look forward to experiencing the world renowned warm Scottish welcome from your colleagues, trainers, and patients. 

For further information please visit the Scotland Deanery or Scottish Medical Training websites. 

Peninsula Rotation: 

The South West Peninsula Ophthalmology training Programme provides excellent teaching and training in the beautiful environment of the South West of England. The training available is comprehensive and of a very high standard, supported by the latest technologies to deliver excellent outcomes. The rotation is spread across Taunton, Barnstaple, Exeter, Torbay, Plymouth and Truro. 

Resident doctors will be encouraged and supported through structured teaching programmes and well-established advanced sub-specialty training opportunities within the region. The South West is committed to supporting resident doctors and preparing them thoroughly for Consultant posts. There are active research collaborations with the University of Plymouth and University of Exeter. 

The Undergraduate Schools of Medicine and Dentistry have enriched the teaching and training environment in the region. The region has two Eye Surgery Simulators situated in Torbay and Barnstaple giving Postgraduate doctors in training the best possible start to a career as an intra-ocular surgeon.   

Severn Rotation 

The South West Severn Ophthalmology Training Programme provides excellent teaching and training across the Severn Training programme in Bath, Swindon, Bristol and Gloucester/Cheltenham. The training available is comprehensive and of a very high standard, supported by the latest technologies to deliver excellent outcomes.   

The ST1 (level one) posts within Severn are based at the Cheltenham General Hospital, Royal United Hospital, Bath and the Great Western Hospital in Swindon. It is highly likely that year one and year two are undertaken within the same hospital, rotating at year three.  This will be dependent on the needs of the resident doctor and the requirements of the rotation. 

Resident doctors will be encouraged and supported through structured teaching programmes and well-established advanced sub-specialty training opportunities within the region. 

For more information please contact the Peninsula Specialty Training Helpdesk / Severn Specialty Training Helpdesk  or visit the School of Ophthalmology Website. 

The South West is committed to supporting resident doctors and preparing them thoroughly for Consultant posts.   
 

The Thames Valley Ophthalmic rotation comprises 23 resident doctors working in Oxford, Reading and Windsor, Stoke Mandeville and Milton Keynes.   

The programme has a reputation for providing extensive practical experience in all areas of ophthalmology by trainers regarded as leaders in their field.  Research is encouraged and led by teams in all the regional hospitals. Opportunities exist for time out of training to obtain higher research degrees.  

There is an excellent track record of our resident doctors moving to high quality UK or international fellowships before taking up consultant posts.  

For further information please visit the Thames Valley website or contact the recruitment team. 

Ophthalmology Training in Wales is an all Wales Programme which covers North and South Wales and resident doctors will rotate to these regions during their training programme and is approved by the Royal College of Ophthalmologists. 

Wales offers the 7-year training programme in Ophthalmology commencing at ST1 level and is aimed at doctors who can demonstrate the essential competences to enter this level of training.  The programme is designed to support training for a CCT in Ophthalmology. 

Wales offers a number of sub specialties such as Medical Retia, Vitreoretinal Surgery, Glaucoma and Anterior segment, Oculoplastics and Orbit, Paediatrics and Strabismus and Neurophthalmology, which resident doctors could rotate through and gain competencies as the curriculum. 

In the final year resident doctors may undertake one year of sub-specialty training prior to the award of CCT. 
For further information please visit the Wales Deanery website or contact Wendy Hollifield from the welsh recruitment team. 
 

Train in Ophthalmology with Wessex – Develop the Skills for a Rewarding Career 
Wessex offers outstanding opportunities for resident doctors to develop the clinical, surgical, and academic skills needed for a successful career in ophthalmology—the diagnosis and treatment of eye disease. 

Our programme provides an excellent balance of training across three major centres and four smaller units, ensuring a supportive environment while exposing resident doctors to a diverse range of patient populations and sub-specialties. This breadth of experience enables resident doctors to build confidence, independence, and expertise in one of medicine’s most rewarding fields. 

At any given time, 24–29 resident doctors benefit from the high-quality training provided by HEE Wessex. Resident doctors benefit from a supportive educational environment, strong exam preparation, excellent consultant supervision, and a well-established simulation programme. In addition, the programme delivers high-quality regional teaching, including protected monthly study days dedicated to education and training. Together, these elements equip resident doctors with the knowledge, skills, and professional attributes required to deliver outstanding patient care and progress to consultant level. 

Many of our resident doctors go on to secure prestigious sub-specialist fellowships, including placements at internationally recognised centres such as Moorfields Eye Hospital in London, as well as leading institutions across the UK, Canada, Australia, and Singapore. 

Comprehensive Sub-specialty Training 

We offer training across all major ophthalmology sub-specialties, including: 

– Paediatric ophthalmology 
– Strabismus 
– Oculoplastics 
– Glaucoma 
– Cornea and anterior segment 
– Medical retina 
– Uveitis 
– Neuro-ophthalmology 
– Vitreoretinal surgery 
– Cataract surgery (supported by surgical simulators) 

Training Locations 

Training is delivered across a network of hospitals, including: 

Major centres: 
– University Hospital Southampton 
– Queen Alexandra Hospital, Portsmouth 
– Royal Bournemouth Hospital 

Additional training sites: 
– Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust 
– Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust 
– Isle of Wight NHS Trust 
– Dorset County Hospital, Dorchester 

Programme Overview 
This is a 7-year Ophthalmology training programme, starting at ST1, designed for doctors who meet the national entry criteria. The programme leads to a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) in Ophthalmology. 

Find Out More 
For further information, please contact:  Sue Ksous – Tel: 01962 690347 or visit the Wessex website. 

We are a large school with a total of 58 resident doctors including 2 medical Ophthalmology resident doctors. 

Hospitals on rotation: 
– Birmingham & Midland Eye Centre 
– University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust 
– Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust 
– Birmingham Children’s Hospital 
– University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire NHS Trust 
– Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals NHS Trust 
– Sandwell General Hospital 
– Royal Shrewsbury Hospital 
– University Hospitals of North Midlands 
– Burton Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust 
– Hereford County Hospital 
– The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust 

Surgical Simulation Opportunities for resident doctors – Simulation facilities and courses for resident doctors in the West Midlands Region 

– Eyesi virtual reality cataract & vitreoretinal simulator at Wolverhampton & new one coming to Birmingham. 
– Oculoplastics & Strabismus intermediate & advanced human cadaveric simulation course at Coventry. 
– Surgical wet labs are available at the Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre, Wolverhampton and Coventry 
– Micro incisional glaucoma surgery wet lab 
– Laser simulation courses 
– Trabeculectomy wet lab course 
– Corneal laceration and corneal gluing course 

For further information contact the Head of School Nirodhini Narendran or visit the West Midlands website 
 

The Yorkshire and Humber School of Ophthalmology has two Training Programmes, one based in the South Yorkshire Locality and the other in the North/East/West Yorkshire Localities.  

This programmes offer wide experience in all aspects of Ophthalmology. Resident doctors will rotate through hospital eye departments, obtaining training with opportunities both for specialist experience & research, balanced with increasing direct responsibility for patient care and opportunities for expanding surgical experience.  

Resident doctors will complete a number of  6 and 12 month placements throughout the training programme allowing resident doctors opportunities for both for specialist experience & research, balanced with increasing direct responsibility for patient care and opportunities for expanding surgical experience.  
For more information please contact the Specialty Recruitment Team or visit the local ophthalmology website