Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Fellowships
RCS Senior Clinical Fellowships in Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
This page includes Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Fellowship programmes which have been approved under the RCS Senior Clinical Fellowship Scheme, and a gallery of recent Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Fellows.
Applying to be a Fellow
If you would like to be a RCS Senior Clinical Fellow, you will need to contact the Supervisor / Lead Consultant of the Fellowship programme you are interested in. Ask the Supervisor / Lead Consultant if or when there is a vacancy for a Fellow. They will tell you how to apply, if appropriate. Please go to the appropriate Fellowship programme listed below for more information.
Fellows appointed to RCS Senior Clinical Fellowships will be expected to be ambassadors for the RCS England and meet the requirements of the GMC’s Good Medical Practice.
Coventry Microsurgery and Major Trauma Fellowship
Based at: University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust
Surgical Specialty Association approving: BAPRAS
Approval period: Initially approved April 2016; reapproved September 2019 - November 2022
Supervisor / Lead Consultant: Miss Joanna Skillman, Consultant Plastic Surgeon, with Mr David Wallace, Consultant Plastic Surgeon
Fellowship duration: 12 months
Stated learning outcomes:
- Completion of assessment in specialised skills in trauma assessment and multidisciplinary management.
- Supervision and assessment to demonstrate increasing independence and complexity in soft tissue trauma management.
- Multi-source feedback from the team.
- Self-reflective diary of achievements.
- Completion of an audit cycle.
- Submission of a project to a peer-reviewed journal.
Clinical competencies to be achieved:
- Assessment, decision making, completion and follow-up review of all types of soft tissue trauma.
- Development of surgical skills in trauma and microsurgery including delivery of emergency surgical care (fasciotomies, debridement), decision making and reconstructive options (local and distant flap reconstruction, amputation).
- Skills in microsurgical reconstruction in an acute and delayed setting.
- Communication and working within a multidisciplinary team including with senior and junior colleagues and paramedical staff.
Number of main operations the Fellow could expect to be involved in:
Independent, actual numbers from last Fellow (including P (Performed) and STS (Supervised – Trainer Scrubbed):
- Free flap - 50 (gracilis, scapular, LD, DIEP, ALT)
- Local flaps - 15
- Arterial or Venous anastomosis - 82
- Debridement of lower limb injury - 71
Fellows awarded Fellowship Certificate (dates of Fellowship):
- Joseph Hardwicke (May 16 - Feb 17)
- Katy Wallis (Aug 17 - Aug 18)
- Andrew Robinson (Aug 18 - Jul 19)
- Anne-Marie Kennedy (Feb - Jul 20)
- Nick Rabey (Aug 20 - Aug 21)
- Vivien Toh (Sep 21 - Mar 22)
Supervisor's comment:
"I would like to thank the Fellows for their feedback, which allows UHCW to adapt and improve the fellowship. I am disappointed that one recent Fellow was not completely satisfied. Many opportunities were available to meet their objectives during the fellowship. If they had mentioned any concerns during the formal (regular appraisals) or informal (weekly in theatres) discussions, the mainly supernumerary post could have been easily adapted to completely fulfil their needs. Despite their overall comments about the Fellowship, I am delighted this fellow has secured a lower limb trauma and reconstruction consultant post and hope that his experience of 67 free tissue transfers, 174 microanastomoses (92 independently) and 181 lower limb reconstructions including ALT, MSAP, scapular, parascapular LD, Soleus, medial planter, dorsalis pedis and fillet of foot flaps will provide some him with confidence in his new role. This fellow’s logbook shows 733 procedures during the year, which aligns very favourably with the expected number of main operations for the Fellowship. My email address is joanna.skillman@uhcw.nhs.uk if any prospective Fellows would like to discuss the programme with me."
Coventry Peri-CCT Oncoplastic Breast Fellowship
Based at: University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire NHS Trust
Surgical Specialty Association approving: BAPRAS
Approval period: March 2020 – May 2023
Supervisor / Lead Consultant: Miss Joanna Skillman, Consultant Plastic Surgeon, with Mrs Katherina McEvoy, Consultant Oncoplastic Breast Surgeon
Fellowship duration: 12 months
Stated learning outcomes:
• Completion of assessment in management and oncoplastic breast surgery;
• Supervision and assessment to demonstrate Increasing independence and complexity in breast management;
• Multi source feedback from the team;
• Self-reflective diary of achievements;
• Completion of an audit cycle
• Publication of a research project in a peer reviewed journal
Clinical competencies to be achieved:
• Assessment, decision making, completion and follow up review of all types of breast surgery;
• Skills in therapeutic mammoplasty, WLE, mastectomy implant and microsurgical reconstruction in an immediate and delayed setting;
• Communication and working within a multidisciplinary team.
Number of main operations the Fellow could expect to be involved in:
Supervisor states: “Our most recent fellow has exceeded the experience recommended for oncoplastic breast surgery training by the training interface group (100 cases). They performed 247 major cases, which included 46 free flaps with the consultant scrubbed in a theatre.
“The expected number of oncology procedures that the fellow can expect to undertake during the 12 month fellowship would be 140 (compared to a Training inter-face group recommendation of 100), although this fellow exceeded that number with 163 cases. The expected number of reconstructive cases would be 70, although this fellow exceeded the expected number with 96 cases. The expected number of cosmetic cases is 10, again exceeded by this fellow with 14 cases, bringing the total to 247 cases.”
Fellows awarded Fellowship Certificate (dates of Fellowship):
- Giuseppe Di Taranto (Feb 20 - Jan 21)
- Rachana Tataria (Feb 21 - Feb 23)
Gateshead Oncoplastic and Reconstructive Breast Surgery Fellowship
Based at: Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust
Surgical Specialty Association approving: ABS / BAPRAS
Approval period: Initially approved March 2023 – February 2026
Supervisor / Lead Consultant: Mr Mujahid Pervaz, Consultant Oncoplastic Breast Surgeon and Breast Clinical Lead. Co-supervisor Miss Gwen Bromley, Consultant Oncoplastic Breast Surgeon.
Fellowship duration: 12 months
Stated learning outcomes:
- Demonstrate an understanding of comprehensive patient-focused care for those with breast disease, including the management of their co-morbidities and how this may impact on their suitability for surgical intervention.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the therapeutic options for breast disease, the indications for each option (including knowledge of current guidelines on commissioning and choice) and their potential pitfalls/complications.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the long-term management of patients following breast cancer surgery, including complications and revisional surgery.
- Demonstrate competence and independence in oncoplastic breast surgery (as laid out in the curriculum document).
- Demonstrate the ability to counsel patients regarding options for the management of breast cancer.
- Engage with the multi-disciplinary team to develop management plans for patients referred for breast disease and those that present with complications or problems post-operatively.
- Completion of an audit cycle
- Publication of a research project in a peer reviewed journal
Clinical competencies to be achieved:
- Demonstrate competence and independence in assessment, decision-making, and follow-up review of all types of breast surgery
- Demonstrate operative competence and independence in therapeutic mammoplasty, local flap WLE, mastectomy, implant and LD reconstruction in an immediate and delayed setting, lipomodelling
Number of main operations the fellow could expect to be involved in:
As per the 2021 Curriculum indicative procedures (n (% lead surgeon)):
- Breast Cancer Conservation: 100 (80%)
- Mastectomy: 30 (80%)
- Inc. skin sparing: 15 (60-70%)
- Axillary surgery: 100 (80%)
- Reduction mammoplasty: 20 (70%)
- Implant reconstruction: 15 (75%)
- Local flaps: 10 (75%)
HCG Bangalore Breast Oncology Fellowship
Based at: HealthCare Global (HCG) Cancer Centre, Bangalore, India
Surgical Specialty Association approving: BASO
Approval period: March 2022 - February 2025
Supervisor / Lead Consultant: Dr Mahesh B, Senior Consultant, Surgical Oncology
Fellowship duration: 12 months
Stated learning outcomes:
- Patient care that is compassionate, appropriate, and effective for the treatment of health problems and the promotion of health.
- Medical knowledge about established and evolving biomedical, clinical, and cognate (e.g. epidemiological and social-behavioural) sciences and the application of this knowledge to patient care.
- Practice-based learning and improvement that involves investigation and evaluation of their own patient care, appraisal and assimilation of scientific evidence, and improvements in patient care.
- Interpersonal and communication skills that result in effective information exchange and teaming with patients, their families, and other health professionals.
- Professionalism, as manifested through a commitment to carrying out professional responsibilities, adherence to ethical principles, and sensitivity to a diverse patient population.
Clinical competencies to be achieved:
- To have a deeper understanding of patho physiology and natural history of breast diseases.
- To be proficient in the evaluation and diagnosis of patients with breast diseases.
- To perform and be cognizant of various conservative, ablative and reconstructive surgical procedures for the treatment of breast cancer.
Number of main operations the Fellow could expect to be involved in:
The applicant says: “The expected case load a fellow is expected to cover in the time period is following (which will be maintained by a log-book): 3000 Mammograms, 1000 Breast ultrasounds, 150 Interventional procedures, 150 MRI. Brief estimation of surgical work done by breast oncosurgery Fellows:
- Diagnostic Trucut Biopsies: 90
- Excision Biopsy: 20
- Breast Conservative Surgery+- Oncoplasty + Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsies/ Axillary Lymph node Dissection: 70
- Breast Conservative Surgery+- Regional flaps Eg: Latisimus Dorsi flap)+ Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsies/ Axillary Lymph node Dissection: 20
- Modified Radical Mastectomies: 25
- Modified Radical Mastectomies + regional flap Eg: Latisimus Dorsi flap: 5
- Modified Radical Mastectomies+ Free TRAM Flaps: 10
- Chemoport Insertion: 40
- Chemoport Removal: 40
- Lymph Node Biopsy: 35
- Skin Sparing Mastectomy with DIEP flap reconstruction: 12
- Bilateral Skin Sparing Mastectomy with DIEP and TUG Reconstruction: 2
- Reduction Mammoplasty: 8
- LICAP, TDAP flaps for replacement oncoplasty: 12
Fellows awarded Fellowship Certificate (dates of Fellowship):
- Nancy Jain (Sep 21 - Feb 23)
Manchester Oncoplastic and Reconstructive Breast Surgery
Based at: Nightingale Breast Centre, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
Surgical Specialty Association approving: ABS / BAPRAS
Approval period: Initially approved January 2024 – December 2026
Supervisor / Lead Consultant: Miss Lyndsey Highton, Consultant Plastic and Breast Surgeon and Mr Sumohan Chatterjee, Consultant Plastic and Breast Surgeon
Fellowship duration: 12 months
Stated learning outcomes:
Initial, mid and end of fellowship supervision meetings will take place with the lead and/or additional supervisor to track progress to learning aims. This will include review of the Fellows surgical logbook, progress toward competencies and progress with audit and research. Trainees are discussed by the consultant body at monthly meetings to identify any training needs. In addition, we will seek feedback from the fellow on their experience during supervision meetings and formally at the end of the fellowship.
Clinical competencies to be achieved:
To produce surgeons able to manage patients presenting with the full range of elective and emergency conditions, related to a presentation with breast cancer or requiring breast reconstruction.
Divided into six modules, plus audit and research:
- Module 1: Basic Sciences and Breast Assessment
- Module 2: Benign Breast Conditions
- Module 3: Breast Cancer
- Module 4: Implant Breast Reconstruction
- Module 5: Autologous Tissue Based Reconstruction
- Module 6: Aesthetic Surgery of the Breast
- Audit and Research
- Detail is expanded in supporting document
Comments from recent Fellows
Rachana Tataria
Coventry Peri-CCT Oncoplastic Breast Fellowship, University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire NHS Trust, February 2021 - February 2022.
Current post: Breast Reconstruction Microsurgery Fellow at Wythenshawe Hospital, University Hospital South Manchester NHS Trust.
"The Oncoplastic Breast Surgery Fellowship at UHCW has been an extremely rewarding post. It has broadened my understanding of comprehensive breast cancer treatment and approach to various aspects that go through every step of the ladder. It has given me the ability to make independent decisions in clinical care and patient safety. There was plenty of opportunity to develop my reconstruction and microsurgery skills. I am very thankful to the training faculty who have been very committed and involved with the progress. This has been a very supportive environment for me to develop as a clinician and I highly recommend the fellowship programme."
Nicholas Rabey
Coventry Microsurgery and Major Trauma Fellowship, University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire NHS Trust, August 2020 - August 2021
Current post (December 2021): Locum Consultant Plastic Surgeon, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge
"My fellowship in microsurgery and trauma at Coventry gave me an exceptional opportunity to enhance my technical operative skills and decision-making in complex trauma presentations. Being given senior responsibilities as an integral member of a dedicated and inspirational orthoplastic team, allowed me to make the transition from trainee to consultant in an incredibly well-supported environment. Development of leadership and teamworking skills, as well as regular discussion of cases within the team, was also actively encouraged. This provided an invigorating and structured learning environment which remained challenging whilst being highly rewarding. I have since begun my consultant career with the knowledge that I have had the rigorous training and exposure necessary to be confident in providing the very highest standards of care to patients presenting with a broad range of lower and upper limb trauma. I would therefore thoroughly recommend this fellowship to those with an interest in complex trauma reconstruction who seek to refine all the essential aspects of their practice before making the step up to consultant level."
Giuseppe Di Taranto
Coventry Peri-CCT Oncoplastic Breast Fellowship, University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire NHS Trust, February 2020 - January 2021
Current post (May 2021): Microvascular Fellow, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London
"The fellowship in Oncoplastic Breast Surgery at UHCW is a great opportunity for those interested in breast oncology and breast reconstruction. The trainers are really committed to teaching and there is plenty of learning opportunities and surgical activities. The fellowship faculty is very supportive and inclusive. At the end of this fellowship, I was able to evaluate independently patients presenting with breast concerns, decide the correct imaging pathway, plan treatments for patients diagnosed with breast cancer, and design tailored surgical plans, with a special interest in breast conservative surgery with oncoplastic techniques. I also had the chance to significantly improve my microsurgical skills in many autologous reconstructions. I had the opportunity to follow the entire journey of patients with breast cancer from the referral from the GP, through the surgery, diagnosis, reconstruction and postoperative treatments. Patients benefited a lot and were very pleased to have this continuity of care."
Joseph Hardwicke
Coventry Microsurgery and Major Trauma Fellowship, University Hospitals of Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, May 2016 to February 2017
Current (July 2017) post: Consultant Plastic Surgeon, University Hospitals of Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust
"As the inaugural Fellow on this programme, I was able to carve out a definitive role as a Microsurgeon in a busy Major Trauma Centre, focussing on both emergency and elective microsurgery. My greatest achievement was the attainment of a substantive Consultant post within the host institution. It allowed me to enhance my microsurgical technique, as well as aid my reconstructive algorithm development in a variety of complex major trauma patients. The Fellowship was well supported, both in clinical and academic terms, and I have continued this into my Consultant job plan. I personally feel that the RCS Senior Clinical Fellowship has brought even more cohesion to the Trauma and Orthopaedic and Plastic Surgery departments, and I feel that I really got to make a difference to a large number of patients. I would thoroughly recommend this post to individuals with a microsurgical and general plastic surgery interest."