Otolaryngology (North)  

 

ENT ranges through major head and neck/skull base oncological surgery, microscopic ear and laryngeal surgery, endoscopic sinus surgery, remote access robotic and laser oncological surgery and incorporates the medical management of multiple disorders ranging from sleep disordered breathing, paediatric disorders, ENT manifestations of haematological, neurological, audiological and autoimmune diseases, as well as many others. It is hard to think of a specialty which offers such a wide spectrum of conditions which fall within the remit of one specialty. 

ENT is becoming increasingly sub-specialised, but there are also considerable possibilities for collaboration and shared patient care within a multi-disciplinary team setting with the Oncologists, Plastic and Maxillofacial Surgeons and with the ophthalmologists, endocrinologists, allergologists, immunologists and respiratory physic 

  

The website provides dates for important meetings and training days. In addition to this it will aid the trainee’s professional development by providing educational presentations, information on examinations and fellowships. The ARCP process will also be facilitated through this website. 

  • Severn PGME are responsible for the management of the Severn ENT Specialty Training Programme. 

  • Mr Edward Chisholm,  Training Programme Director  

  • Trainees are accountable to the Severn PGME  who supervise training in their employing hospital irrespective of of their training number affiliation. e.g. a trainee with a Severn NTN number but working in Exeter is accountable to the Peninsula TPD during that hospital attachment. 

  

 Otolaryngology Training 

Otolaryngology is the third largest surgical specialty in the UKThe training programme is usually six years long with annual rotation, dependent on a satisfactory outcome at Annual Review of Competence Progression. 

  

The Severn ENT rotations are typically 12 months in length. The changeover date is the first Wednesday in October and the first Wednesday in April (for trainees changing placements after 6 months). The hospitals on the Severn rotation are: 

  • Gloucestershire Royal Hospital 

  • University Hospitals Bristol  

  • Royal United Hospital, Bath 

  • Great Western Hospital, Swindon 

  • Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton 

 

It is anticipated that trainees will work at a minimum of three locations during their time in training. 

Otolaryngology deals with the diagnosis and treatment of the whole range of medical and surgical problems affecting the ear, nose and throat. There has been a trend towards specialisation within Otolaryngology. These areas of special interest do not have a separate specialty advisory committee (SAC) within the surgical collegiate structure 

The areas of special interest in ORL at the time of writing are as follows: 

  • Head and neck oncology 

  • Benign head and neck surgery 

  • Paediatric otorhinolaryngology 

  • Otology 

  • Neuro-otology 

  • Skull base surgery 

  • Medical rhinology 

  • Surgical rhinology 

  • Facial plastics 

  • Phoniatrics 

  • Cleft lip and palate 

 

ENT is becoming increasingly sub-specialised, but there are also considerable possibilities for collaboration and shared patient care within a multi-disciplinary team setting with the Oncologists, Plastic and Maxillofacial Surgeons and with the ophthalmologists, endocrinologists, allergologists, immunologists and respiratory physicians. 

In addition trainees will be expected to pursue activities which support professional development, for example: 

  • Academic ORL 

  • Management 

  • Education 

 

Further information on training is available from the ISCP and ENTUK website. 

  

Training covering all subjects in the ISCP curriculum for ENT to CCT level is provided withinthe Severn Hospitals and the rotation's trainees have had an excellent pass rate at the intercollegiate exam. 

For assessment requirements, please see the ARCP Checklist.