The Severn Ophthalmology Training Programme
Welcome to the Severn Postgraduate Medical Education (PGME) School of Ophthalmology website.
The Severn Ophthalmology Team
Head of School - Dr Rebecca Ford
Training Programme Director – Paul Tomlins
Education Programme Manager - Lucy Curtis
9 reasons why should you choose to train in the Severn PGME
Just like undergraduate courses not all postgraduate training programs delivery the same quality of training. The question faced by the Foundation Doctor applying to Specialty Training programs is, what criteria should I use to differentiate one Training Program from another?
The strengths of any training program can be judged by looking at the following features of the training;
- Reason One: The Training Units in Severn are within in commuting distance of Bristol.
- Reason Two: Surgical and Clinical Teaching Programmes
- Reason Three: Research Opportunities
- Reason Four: Quality Assurance Processes in Severn PGME
- Reason Five: FRCOphth Examinations
- Reason Six: Fellowship Placements and Consultant Posts
- Reason Seven: The Bristol Eye Hospital is a Tertiary Referral centre with an international reputation for translational research.
- Reason Eight: Our EYESi cataract surgery simulator allows trainees to develop their intraocular surgical skills rapidly and safely.
- Reason Nine: There are monthly all-day regional teaching days for trainees covering all the sub-specialities.
Training sites on the Severn Programme
The Training programme in Severn is for 7 years from ST1 – ST7. During the Training programme Severn Postgraduate Doctors in Training will be expected to rotate between:
- Gloucestershire Eye Unit at Cheltenham General Hospital,
- Bristol Eye Hospital,
- Royal United Hospitals - Bath and the
- Great Western Hospitals – Swindon.
Our programme aims to:
- Provide structured clinical training in the diagnosis and management of medical diseases of the retina
- Training in the use and interpretation of diagnostic tests including optical coherence tomography, fluorescein angiography, ICG angiography, and fundus autofluorescence imaging.
- Training in medical retinal procedures including, panretinal photocoagulation, focal laser treatment of the macula, laser retinopexy of retinal tears, intravitreal, orbital floor and subtenons injections of drugs and photodynamic therapy.
- Teach the timing and role of vitreous surgical procedures for surgical retina disorders.
- Care of patients with significant visual loss, including an understanding of sight certification, low vision and other supportive local services.
- Demonstrate the importance of a team approach, and communication, in the care of patients with vision loss secondary to retinal disease.
- Encourage the active participation in national and international retina meetings.
- Teach the fundamentals of clinical trial research through exposure to ongoing trials, review of past trials, and review of journals
- Encourage and provide support for scientific research in areas of interest and opportunity to submit posters, presentations and publications to conferences and peer reviewed journals.
Gloucestershire Eye Unit (GEU) at Cheltenham General Hospital
Postgraduate Doctors in Training will undertake a mix of general ophthalmology and a subspecialty training in
- Oculoplastics
- Glaucoma,
- Paediatrics
- Anterior segment and
- Medical retina / Glaucoma)
https://www.gloshospitals.nhs.uk/our-services/services-we-offer/ophthalmology/
Bristol Eye Hospital
Postgraduate Doctors in Training ST3 – ST7 will undertake a mix of general ophthalmology and a subspecialty training in
- Retina (3)
- Oculoplastic and Adnexal
- Corneal and Anterior segment
- Glaucoma
- Paediatric and Strabismus
- Vitreo-retinal
- Medical retina
https://www.uhbristol.nhs.uk/patients-and-visitors/your-hospitals/bristol-eye-hospital/
Royal United Hospital – Bath
Postgraduate Doctors in Training will undertake a mix of general ophthalmology and a subspecialty training in
- Oculoplastics
- Glaucoma,
- Corneal - Anterior segment
- Cataract Surgery
https://www.ruh.nhs.uk/patients/services/clinics/eye_outpatients/index.asp?menu_id=1
Great Western Hospitals, Swindon
Postgraduate Doctors in Training will undertake a mix of general ophthalmology and a subspecialty training in
- Anterior Segment
- Glaucoma
- Vitreo-Retinal
- Oculoplastics
- Paediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus
Https://www.gwh.nhs.uk/wards-and-services/ophthalmology-eye-clinic/