Training Programme Directors
Dr Amy Foulkes - amy.foulkes@nca.nhs.uk
Dermatology Introduction / Overview of Programme
The North Western Deanery dermatology training programme is one of the largest in the UK. Its prestigious reputation as a centre of excellence draws from the internationally recognised, world-leading academic department linked with The University of Manchester, combined with exceptional clinical training which promotes mastery of both general and sub-specialty areas.
With more than 40 Consultant Dermatologists as part of the "hub and spoke" model based at the Dermatology Centre, Northern Care Alliance, trainees receive direct supervision from national experts in acute and general dermatology and diverse specialised areas such as psoriasis, eczema, hidradenitis suppurativa, urticaria, dermatological surgery, laser surgery, contact dermatitis, cutaneous lymphoma, paediatric dermatology, vulval dermatology, photobiology and phototherapy, dermatopathology, and cosmetic dermatology.
A peripheral rotation is based at Blackburn Royal Infirmary and Burnley General Hospital.
General Description of Rotation
The rota is currently based on a three or six-month cycles. Usually general dermatology is emphasised in year one, with subspecialty exposure in the following years. On-call responsibilities are resident (pager access), currently remunerated 1 in 10, and cover the extensive geographical area of Greater Manchester. There are dedicated dermatology inpatient beds at SRFT.
Educational Opportunities
The 4-year dermatology programme in Manchester offers an unparalleled comprehensive training experience in dermatology and its sub-specialties. Appropriate consultant supervision is provided for all ward referrals and outpatient clinics, which combine both new and follow-up patients. Each Thursday afternoon is designated an academic session at Northern Care Alliance and all trainees are expected to be present. These sessions include trainee teaching, clinical meetings and divisional and governance meetings.
With 40 consultants and 16 specialist trainees in the programme including Academic Clinical Fellows, the enthusiasm, diversity and energy created is unique, and trainees are expected to take full advantage of the opportunities provided by such a dynamic programme. They will be fully supported by the Training Programme Director, Dr Amy Foulkes (amy.foulkes@nca.nhs.uk) in addition to the rest of the consultant team (both academic and clinical) and fellow trainees. Near the start of training, each ST3 is matched with an Educational Supervisor who will act as a mentor, (we now changes ES every year). The curriculum is based on the JRCPTB Dermatology schedule.
Career Placement Programme in Dermatology
For those considering a career in dermatology we offer work placements in The Dermatology Centre at Northern Care Alliance by competitive application (smrithi.santhosh@nca.nhs.uk) for information queries we would also advocate for engagement with National Educational events such as DermSchool, DermDoc for which you can see the British Association of Dermatologists. There are typically 6 places/ year available to (usually Internal Medical) Trainees for one week each. These give an opportunity to experience the breadth of dermatology with clinics in general and subspecialty areas such as skin surgery, phototherapy, lasers and inpatient care. You will meet Specialist Trainees and consultants through the placement joining them at an educational meeting where clinicians see and discuss patients with interesting and unusual dermatological conditions. If you are interested please contact Dr.Nuala O'Donoghue, Consultant Dermatologist (Nuala.O'Donoghue@srft.nhs.uk), or direct informal queries to Smrithi Santhosh who can provide information re application deadlines etc. For further information on dermatology training and national educational events (e.g DermSchool, DermDoc) please see the British Association of Dermatology website www.bad.org.uk.
Research/Audit/Teaching
Training in North West Deanery (Manchester) has unparalleled access to academic opportunities. As one of the premier dermatology academic centres in Europe, clinical and non-clinical research is encouraged, with strengths in: inflammatory skin diseases including psoriasis and atopic eczema, photobiology, skin cancer, skin aging, the brain-skin axis, dermato-pharmacology, epidemiology and hair follicle biology. The department has a strong working relationship with industrial partners, exemplified by the long-standing relationship with Boots and the No7 Beauty Company on skin aging in diverse skin tones; as well as hosting one of the leading dermato-pharmacology clinical trials units in the countries and being involved in the development of numerous breakthrough medications for inflammatory skin diseases.
Historically, Manchester trainees have been highly successful in securing prizes from the British Association of Dermatologists and British Society of Investigative Dermatology and typically present papers at both national and international level. The department regularly hosts trainees on the Integrated Clinical Academic Training pathway, including both academic clinical fellows and academic clinical lecturers. The Manchester dermatology programme has a track record of supporting out-of-programme research experiences, which result in awards of higher degrees such as MD and PhD funded by the Wellcome Trust, MRC, NIHR, and industry.
Teaching opportunities are multi-disciplinary and range from undergraduate, post-graduate GP and specialty training. Trainees are encouraged to attend formal courses designed to improve teaching ability (Teaching the Teachers) in order to become effective educators. The North Western Deanery heavily promotes a teaching ethos and has demonstrated its commitment to those trainees interested in developing a formal educational role by awarding a medical education bursary for the post of Clinical Teaching Fellow in Dermatology.
All trainees take an active role in audit as per the JRCPTB requirements. Design, execution and re-audit is encouraged to clearly demonstrate a full audit cycle and improvement in practice. Trainees are allowed flexibility to select their own subject matter for audit or can be directed, as a matter of preference. Department-wide audit meetings are held (6 per annum) at SRFT Hospital and all trainees are required to present their completed audit data at these meetings.