Integrated orthopaedic and neurosurgical fellowship in complex spinal surgery.

The spinal surgery unit at Leeds has an international reputation as a centre of excellence for the treatment of spinal pathologies. It is home to one of two National Spine Fellowships set up by Professor Robert Dickson and Mr Gerry Towns in the 1990s to provide ‘interface’ training in spinal surgery that encompassed both Orthopaedic and Neurosurgical disciplines. There is a long heritage of training spinal surgeons that have moved on to work in units around the globe and a history of producing clinically relevant research.

Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is one of the largest teaching hospitals in Europe with an annual budget of over £1 billion and more than 2000 inpatient beds across seven sites. Working alongside the University of Leeds, it includes a world renowned biomedical research facility and a leading clinical trials research unit. It provides regional specialist care for spinal pathologies for over 3 million people. There is a 24 hour spinal on-call service delivered by 12 full time Consultant spinal surgeons and a full range of acute and elective spinal services including paediatric deformity and complex cervical spine surgery. This includes cover for the Leeds Major trauma Centre – a Level 1 Trauma centre providing specialist care for up to 5.4 million people.

The unit offers four senior fellowships, working within the department for a period of 12 months, as well as shorter term clinical attachments. The next round of Fellowship applications will be in April 2024 but interested candidates are encouraged to contact the unit prior to application.