Applications are invited to apply for the RCS Eng approved advanced fellowship programme in Complex Spinal Neurosurgery, a joint fellowship based at University College London Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and King’s College Hospital Foundation Trust. This clinical fellowship allows an experienced neurosurgical trainee to obtain sub-specialty experience across all aspects of complex spine neurosurgery. Both departments are national reference centres in the United Kingdom and are leading units in spinal oncology (primary and metastatic spinal cord), complex degenerative (including revision surgery) and spinal trauma. Fellows will be trained in complex intradural surgery, instrumentation and minimally invasive techniques using spinal robotics, navigation, ultrasound and spinal endoscopy
This post will provide successful fellows experience sufficient for consultant appointment as a complex spine specialist. The fellow will learn the following techniques:
1. Tubular and endoscopic access (cervical and lumbar)
2. MIS fusion and cement augmentation
3. Advanced spinal trauma surgery
4. Mini thoracotomy surgery and transoral surgery
5. Lateral and anterior lumbar surgery
6. En Bloc Vertebrectomy
7. Revision surgery
8. Cervical and thoracolumbar deformity correction
9. Cranio cervical instrumentation (trauma and deformity)
10. Pelvis Instrumentation
11. Advanced dural repair techniques
The fellow is expected to complete the full 18 fellowship and will be fully supported in consultant job applications. Surgeons preparing to work as consultants must be intimately involved with the running of the neurosurgical service and in providing continuity of care for the patients since this will be an integral part of their practice as consultants. The fellow will therefore participate in the general neurosurgical rota during their rotation at King’s and Queen Square.
The Trust provides a full range of local and specialist services across its five sites. Transforming Healthcare is the vision at the heart of the King’s Strategy – 2026 to 2031. Together, we are pursuing six strategic ambitions: delivering high-quality patient care; being a great place to work; leading pioneering research, innovation and education; building strong and successful partnerships; providing timely and efficient care; and ensuring long-term financial sustainability. Achieving these ambitions will require all of us to work as one Team King’s, united by a shared commitment to our values of being caring, collaborative, inclusive and innovative. By living these values every day, we will transform healthcare for our patients, our communities and each other
We are at a pivotal point in our history and we require individuals who are ready to join a highly professional team and make a real, lasting difference to our patients and our people.
King’s is committed to delivering Sustainable Healthcare for All via our Green Plan. In line with national Greener NHS ambitions, we have set net zero carbon targets of 2040 for our NHS Carbon Footprint and 2045 for our NHS Carbon Footprint Plus. Everyone’s contribution is required in order to meet the goals set out in our Green Plan and we encourage all staff to work responsibly, minimising their contributions to the Trust’s carbon emissions, waste and pollution wherever possible.
The duties will comprise data collection, assistance with the care of patients on the wards, assistance in the operating theatre, attendance at appropriate clinics and review of appropriate literature and clinical data. Excellent neurosurgical operative experience can be obtained with senior supervision and feedback provided. The timetable for these activities is dependent upon which consultant the post holder will be working for, as is a list of possible review and research topics. The post holder will collect data relevant to the spinal pathway but will also be involved in the management of patients on the ward, assisting with operations in the theatre or operate within their experience, and assist at Outpatient Clinics which may involve travel to other hospitals.
