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  6. London South Deanery

The London South region is bounded by the River Thames and the M25 motorway and forms part of the London School of Surgery.

The full kaleidoscope of core and subspecialist urology is available within the region, with three teaching hospitals (of which two are major trauma units) and seven district general hospitals (see below). The networks between these hospitals are very strong, with close partnership between units to centralise complex surgery. Consequently, placements allow you to focus on both core and complex surgery in high volume. Guy's and St George’s Hospitals both offer robotic surgery in high volume.

Recently, the London deanery has been reformed to amalgamate North and South London. However, trainees will typically remain within one district or the other. There are opportunities for you to move for specific rotations, should they complement your training in later years, but this is rarely needed given the array of expertise in London South. For the majority of trainees in London South, domestic relocation is not required during training, with good transport links throughout the region.

Email Emer Hatem (BSoT rep)

Training Hospitals

London South training hospitals:
  • Croydon University (Mayday) Hospital, Surrey
  • Epsom & St Helier Hospital, Surrey
  • Guy's & St Thomas' Hospital, London
  • King's College Hospital, Hospital
  • Kingston Hospital, Surrey (use the link below to contact the TPD, Miss Rasmight Singh)
  • Princess Royal University Hospital, Farnborough
  • Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woolwich
  • St George's Hospital, Tooting
Email the Training Programme Director

Training Programme

Urology registrar training is currently five years. The London South region has been the most popular deanery for application over the last 5 years.

Although London is now one deanery, trainees typically stay within their own district for their training and, as a result, London South remains distinct. Earlier years are focused on core urology with a focus on subspecialist urology towards the end of training.

Training starts with a Boot Camp in the first week, run nationally, to prepare you for some of the rigours of life as a specialty registrar. Training is Consultant-supervised; external deanery teaching attendance, and attendance at conferences such as BAUS, are well supported.

Urology "Boot Camp"

Placements are allocated by the ARCP panel, based on what each trainee needs to meet the requirements for CCT. At the start of a training year, learning objectives are set by the TPD, following which your assigned Educational Supervisor takes you through your expected course for the year, and designs an appropriate timetable based on the experience you need.

If you, as many trainees have done before, require learning experiences that are not available where you are placed, you can be afforded sessions within your timetable to visit other trusts; this is reinforced by the strong urological network that exists within the region. 

Teaching Programme

Teaching is weekly (on a Friday) for most of the year, and is currently led by Susan Willis.

It is Consultant-delivered, with subjects chosen to meet learning objectives for the FRCS Urol and the requirements for CCT. It incorporates popular urological meetings at the Royal Society of Medicine, the Royal Marsden Hospital, masterclass sessions at UCLH and the biannual Andrology section.

Teaching sessions usually take place at a London hospital and are offered to all London deanery trainees.

In June each year, there is an in-house viva for all trainees.

Research and Audit

Professor Prokar Dasgupta, Professor of Urology at King's College London and supervises very active basic science and clinical research programmes within the department. 

There are two to three students pursuing PhDs in topics including post-prostatectomy recovery and PSMA PET imaging.

A number of randomised controlled trials have been conducted at Guy's Hospital, including:

  • blue light cystoscopy for superficial bladder cancer;
  • intravesical Botox for idiopathic detrusor overactivity;
  • Odmit-C for intravesical mitomycin-C following nephroureterectomy;
  • STAMPEDE trial for prostate cancer; and
  • RADICALS trial for prostate cancer.

The Bottom Line

According to Zoopla: 

London South is home to urban villages, miles of riverside walks and some of the city’s most attractive green spaces and parks, including Battersea Park, Clapham Common and of course, Richmond Park.

The sprawling area is a melting pot of cultures, where street markets, museums, galleries, historical and religious landmarks, pubs, shops, bars, restaurants, cafes and a myriad of housing all sit cheek by jowl.

In recent years, large regeneration projects delivering new homes, shops, cafes, schools, transport and parks have given many parts of south London, particularly along the riverfront, a new lease of life ...

A placement in London South provides you with an opportunity to work with some of the leaders in their subspecialist fields, thereby gaining high-quality clinical experience, and also allows you to embark on academic activity. These training opportunities, combined with the cosmopolitan atmosphere of the region, mean that London South is an ideal place to settle with your family. 

Contacts & admin info for London South

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