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The North West Deanery (also known as the East Sector of the North West School of Surgery) encompasses training units in Greater Manchester, Lancashire & South Cumbria. 

The urological training programme aims to provide very high quality training in all aspects of urology. The initial training is in core urology. Later on, you'll have opportunities to gain experience and training in more specialised areas. All urological sub-specialities are offered within the training units.

Email Matthew Clark (BSoT rep)

Training Units

North West hospitals involved in the deanery rotation are:
  • Christie Hospital, Manchester
  • Manchester Royal Infirmary
  • Royal Albert Edward Infirmary, Wigan
  • Royal Blackburn Hospital
  • Royal Bolton Hospital
  • Royal Preston Hospital
  • Salford Royal Hospital (use the link below to email the TPD, Mr Euan Green)
  • Stepping Hill Hospital, Stockport
  • Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester

Email the TPD, Mr Euan Green (Salford Royal Hospital)

Trainees rotate every 12 months, through a series of posts, to acquire urological knowledge, skills and experience. There are currently 20 NTNs in the region.

Training Programme

Trainees have access to the full range of urology subspecialties, with trainees able to achieve core indicative numbers within DGHs in the first two years. There is access to specialist interests including tertiary stone surgery, tertiary and quarternary cancer services (penile cancer, renal cell carcinoma with level III-IV IVC tumour thrombus, and retroperitoneal lymph node dissection).

Paediatric exposure is provided by local provision in district hospitals, and an additional dedicated 6 week paediatric placement at Royal Manchester Children’s hospital, which is undertaken in ST4 year.

All new trainees are offered the opportunity to undertake an MSc in Urology with the University of Manchester, in place of their standard regional teaching, paid for directly from their study budget. 

Teaching Programme

Although the North West and Mersey deaneries are separated administratively within the North West region, teaching is unified across both deaneries.

A fully-funded, comprehensive, exam-focused training programme has been developed which runs monthly over a recurring 3-year period. It predominantly provides training in knowledge/communication skills & team-working/interaction and simulation. Time is allocated according to the amount of information required for the FRCS Urol exam. The training programme has been developed following feedback from the trainees, and is felt to be one of the best in the UK.

There is a practice, "mock" FRCS Urol exam held under exam conditions every year.

You'll also be encouraged to take up the opportunity to attend fully-funded modules at Edoe Hill University in both "Postgraduate Medical Education" (sufficient for CCT requirements in clinical supervision) and in "Medical Leadership".

Research and Audit

Opportunities exist in all departments to undertake clinical research. A minimum level of research activity has been set out for the North West. You will be expected to review published papers and undertake some research during your 5 years. Opportunities also exist to undertake a more detailed period of study, leading to an MD or PhD. This requires taking time out of the training programme for 2 - 3 years.

There are many opportunities to take part in local, regional and national audits.

The Bottom Line

Geographically, the North West deanery is relatively small, with commuting times between the northern-most centre (Royal Preston Hospital) and the southern-most (Stepping Hill Hospital) only an hour. This means that, if you settle either in Manchester or its suburbs, you'll minimise travelling time to your training unit each day.

The region is bounded to the west by the Irish Sea & the Mersey Deanery, and to the east by the Pennines. The region extends from the southern Lake District in the north to the northern margins of the West Midlands in the south. The highest peak in England, Scafell Pike, is found in the Lake District.

The sprawling conurbation of Manchester, the so-called "Gateway to the North", occupies the south of the region and is the largest centre of population, as well as being a major cultural centre with many tourist attractions. Manchester's "foodie" reputation has developed over the last decade, and the city hosts two Premiership football clubs.

The north of the region, comprising Cumbria (the old county of Cumberland) and northern Lancashire, is largely rural, with the Lake District National Park a "must" for visitors and locals alike.

Contacts & admin info for the North West

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