Gastroenterology

Sub-Speciality Training at ST3+

Specialty School of Medicine,

East Midlands Deanery (South)

 

SOUTH TRENT GASTROENTEROLOGY

TRAINING SCHEME FOR
SPECIALIST TRAINEES

                                                                     

The Digestive Diseases Centre

Leicester

 

 

CONTENTS:

 

1.       General Description of the Scheme

2.       General Medicine

3.       Gastroenterology: "core" experience and skills; special options

4.       Research

5.       Formal Training Schedule

6.       Appraisal

7.       Individual Units and Trainers

8.       Further Details

 

 


1.         GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE SCHEME

 

The aim of the scheme is for trainees to obtain a CCT in both general internal medicine (acute) and gastroenterology.

           

The scheme will rotate trainees between either of 3 District General Hospitals (Derby, Kettering, or Peterborough) and 2 of the 3 Leicester Teaching Hospitals (Leicester General and Leicester Royal Infirmary). Each trainee will spend five 12-month periods, each at one of the five training units, with the aim of providing dual training in both GIM (acute) and Gastroenterology. It is envisaged that there will be 2 parallel arms to the scheme. 

 

Entry to the scheme will be at ST3 (except during MMC transition when it may be at a higher level). The total duration of the scheme is 5 years (following on from core medical training [CMT] and assuming entry at ST3).

 

For trainees recruited to ST3 of the scheme, training will usually commence at either Peterborough or Kettering. The middle 3 years will usually be in Leicester. The final year will be either at the Leicester Royal Infirmary or at Derby City Hospital. For those recruited during MMC transition into ST4 or above, initial placement will depend both on trainee choice, previous experience, training needs and availability.

 

The trainer (or educational supervisor) for each post on the scheme will be one of the consultant gastroenterologists with whom the trainee will agree a weekly program to include the training features set out in section 7 of this document. Each post will include a half day a week for education/research and protected time for the monthly training half days.

 

Rotation date will be 1st October each year. Each trainee's needs and preferences will be considered in deciding which post he/she will rotate to for the year. Normally, if a trainee takes a year out for research (strongly encouraged), the consultant/trainer to whom he/she is responsible will need to find a locum for the clinical post for the year (normally a "LAT" - locum appointment for training).

 

 

SUMMARY OF TRAINING SCHEME

 

YEAR 1                                  YEARS 2 – 4                                                YEAR 5

 

Peterborough (1 post)                     Leicester General (4)                       Derby City (1)

 

or                                                                     or                                             or

 

Kettering (2 posts)                            Leicester Royal (6)                           Leicester Royal

 


2.         GENERAL MEDICAL TRAINING

 

Each post provides experience of unselected acute general medical admissions and care of both general medical inpatients and outpatients. The proportion of time spent on GIM differs between the training units, with in general more time being required in the District General Hospital posts in years 1 and 5. However, in all units, trainees will be able to satisfy training requirements such that they can achieve Level 2 competency in GIM (acute) as required by the GIM curriculum for those in dual training. The JCHMT requires that at least the first and last years of SpR training contain a substantial GIM commitment.

 

3.         GASTROENTEROLOGY

 

All areas of diagnosis and management of gastroenterological and hepatological conditions will be covered in accordance with the National Curriculum. Training will be provided in basic diagnostic and advanced therapeutic Endoscopy; with the opportunity to learn ultrasound, ERCP or oesophageal manometry/pH studies should the trainee have a desire to do so. Each trainee will be exposed to a minimum of 6 months Hepatology with the possibility of further exposure. There is also the opportunity to be exposed to specialised nutrition training.

 

4.         RESEARCH

 

The Diegestive Disease Centre encompasses all the relevant sites in the training programme (see www.digestivediseases.org)

 

All trainees are strongly encouraged to take one or two years (the latter if a higher degree such as MD is desired) during the scheme for full-time clinical or laboratory research. Those interested may have areas they wish to research or may develop interests during the scheme. The special and research interests of trainers are indicated below, and any will be pleased to discuss further any proposals and opportunities.

 

Professor Janusz Jankowski has a Visiting Professorship at Oxford University and has a particular interest in the factors which create mucosal metaplasia and dysplasia in the gastrointestinal tract.  In particular there is an active program assessing the role of chronic inflammation on stem cells in vivo and in vitro.  There are many opportunities for research from basic science projects in the laboratory, translational research, phase II studies using novel therapies and finally phase III trial work in endoscopy.  Researchers will be given very close support for funding applications and personalised supervision for experimental planning and execution. The unit has very strong links with Cancer Research UK, London and Oxford University. Research attachments there are possible. An Honorary Clinical Lectureship can be granted depending on the individual candidates experience.

 

The Unit has published in prestigious journals including Lancet, Gastroenterology, Cancer Research and The Journal of the National Cancer Institute. In addition we are well funded with over 2 million pounds in in funding from Cancer Research UK, Medical Research Council and National Cancer Research Institute.

 

Trainees will be given opportunities to work locally in Leicester on clinical research or depending on the individual’s track record translational and basic science opportunities at his laboratories at the University of Oxford.

 

The University is committed to producing research and teaching of the highest quality, to promoting undergraduate and postgraduate studies through campus based and distance-learning programmes and to developing close collaboration with the local and regional community.  Links also exist between the South Trent scheme and Adelaide Australia.   In the future, trainees may have the opportunity to spend time in Adelaide as part of their training.

 

Dr John de Caestecker has clinical and research interests in upper GI motility disorders, gastro-oesophageal reflux and Barrett’s oesophagus. He is responsible for the GI function laboratory and would be keen to encourage/support any interested trainees in project development related to any of the above topics.

 

5.         FORMAL TEACHING SCHEDULE

 

There is a regional training day rotating between Leicester, Nottingham or Sheffield three times a year. This covers a syllabus which is determined by a regional GI program working party and trainers as well as trainees are expected to attend. There is also a monthly South Trent half day trainees' meeting with a different, symptom-oriented syllabus and a more informal format. The latter meeting will be chaired in rotation (rolling half day, usually in the last week of the month except in months with a Trent regional study day) by a different trainer from Leicester, Peterborough, Kettering or Derby. The trainer will decide the venue and designate a trainee to be responsible for organising the meeting. The topics and format of the meeting will vary; these will be decided in advance at a meeting of trainees and the director of GI training for South Trent.

There is a separate GIM teaching program organised by the Director of Training in GIM whilst trainees are in Leicester.

 

6.         APPRAISAL

 

A logbook will be made available to each trainee in which conditions experienced and techniques/practical procedures carried out will be recorded. This is a logbook provided by the JCHMT and will normally form the basis for reviewing experience attained and further training needs. Trainees will also be assessed by mini-clinical evaluation exercise (mini-CEX), directly observed procedural skills (DOPS) and 360 degree appraisal.

 

Each trainee will be appraised yearly by interview with the Postgraduate Dean for South Trent (or his representative), together with the director of the South Trent training scheme. There usually will be one or more of the other trainers in attendance as well as a representative from another deanery.  The interview will be based on a report from the relevant trainer, the JCHMT logbook and competency based assessments and will aim to assess progress and future training needs. Where deficiencies are identified, corrective measures will be suggested and implemented. The penultimate assessments will be designed towards deciding whether the requirements have been met in GIM and Gastroenterology to recommend the award of a CCT.   The PYA in Gastroenterology will be carried out on a regional basis once a year, and the PYA in G(I)M will be organised locally.


7.         THE INDIVIDUAL UNITS AND TRAINERS

 

 

UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS OF LEICESTER NHS TRUST

 

 

a).        LEICESTER TEACHING HOSPITALS

 

            Leicestershire Health Authority covers a population of 875,000 served by 3 teaching hospitals based in the city and a number of community hospitals based around the county.   Gastroenterology is based primarily at the Leicester General Hospital and Leicester Royal Infirmary.

            JAG (Joint Advisory Group) Endoscopy courses are run in Leicester and it is recognised as one of three Aspirant Centres that runs courses in conjunction with the National and Regional Training Centres.

 

i).         LEICESTER GENERAL HOSPITAL

 

Gastroenterologists:         Dr J F Mayberry

                                                Dr S Shah (currently locum consultant)

                                                Dr J S de Caestecker

                                                Dr R Robinson

 

This large acute teaching hospital has a complement of 950 beds. Professorial departments of Nephrology and Elderly Care Medicine are on site. Training is available in the full range of gastrointestinal disorders, including specific training in upper GI endoscopy, colonoscopy, ERCP, and all therapeutic endoscopy. All of the consultants partake in general acute medical admissions.

 

There are 5 colorectal surgeons and two hepatobiliary surgeons who compliment the medical gastroenterology services. Close working relationships between physicians and surgeons allow for joint training in ERCPs and PEG insertion. This takes place in a modern multi-room endoscopy suite with X ray screening facilities in the nearby X ray department plus CCTV to a seminar room on the day case unit for postgraduate teaching purposes. More than 6000 endoscopic procedures a year are undertaken. There is a dedicated GI radiologist (Dr R Verma) and 1 GI/liver histopathologist (Dr R Harrison, with 2 others having a major interest).

 

In addition, this is a major centre for GI research. Achievements include an annual output of more than 20 publications and major grants from the ICRF/MRC, the British Digestive Foundation and NACC, together with other research bodies. During the last 5 years, the main commitment has been to epidemiological studies. 

 

Weekly timetable:

 

There are 4 posts available with Drs Mayberry / Shah / De Caestecker / Robinson.  The work schedules for the posts are similar, but the exact timetable will depend on the experience and needs of the trainee. 

 

·         2-3 endoscopy/colonoscopy lists per week

·         ERCP training for selected trainees (usually ST3 or above)

·         2-3 gastroenterology OP clinics per week, including specialist IBD/coeliac/PEG clinics

·         1-2 consultant ward rounds per week

 

(The timetable is in the process of change which may give added training opportunity).

 

Other activities:

           

·         Histology meetings

·         Endoscopy audit meetings quarterly

·         A joint medical/surgical GI meeting every 2nd week (plans for a weekly meeting)

·         Weekly HPB MDT meeting is held on this site

·         Weekly postgraduate meeting (Thursday lunchtime)

·         Monthly Tuesday morning DDC meeting at LRI (including external speakers and audit)

·          

 

 

Options:

 

·         Abdominal ultrasonography and guided liver biopsy (Dr Y Rees, Consultant Radiologist).

·         Inflammatory bowel disease (Dr Mayberry or Dr Robinson)

·         Oesophageal functions tests (Dr de Caestecker)

 

 

Special Interests:  

 

 

·         Oesophageal disease, especially oesophageal motility disorders, non cardiac chest pain and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. Oesophageal manometry and ano-rectal physiology is performed at Glenfield (Dr de Caestecker)

 

·         Epidemiological aspects of gastrointestinal disease, in particular inflammatory bowel disease. Patient information and education programmes. (Dr Mayberry)

·         Inflammatory Bowel Disease. (Dr Robinson)

 

 


ii).        LEICESTER ROYAL INFIRMARY

 

Gastroenterologists:                     Dr B J Rathbone

                                                            Dr J Stewart

                                                            Dr P Wurm

                                                            Prof J Jankowski

                                                            Dr A Grant (Hepatology)

                                                            Dr Delahooke (Hepatology)

           

This is an acute 1092 bedded teaching hospital with beds for all main specialities and contains the only major Accident and Emergency Unit in the district. The Clinical Sciences Block of the University of Leicester is situated in the Royal Infirmary site and provides offices and research laboratories for the greater part of the University Departments of Medicine, Surgery, Psychiatry, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Paediatrics, Community Health, Pathology, Pharmacology and Therapeutics.

 

The medical gastroenterology department is supported by 3 upper GI, two  hepatobiliary and 2 colorectal surgeons. There are two specialist gastrointestinal radiologists and 2 histopathologists specialising in gut and liver pathology.

 

The Infirmary has a modern purpose-built endoscopy unit with up to date video equipment carrying out all forms of diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy. Nurse endoscopists contribute to the service and carry out regular fibreoptic sigmoidoscopies and upper GI endoscopies.

 

There are specialist liver and inflammatory bowel disease clinics.

 

Professor Jankowski has a major interest in Gastrointestinal Epithelial Biology and has a well funded research programme.  Trainees will be expected to take an active role in research while working in the department.

 

Weekly timetable:

 

There are 6 posts available. The weekly timetable is similar for each post, though the exact program would depend on the experience and needs of the trainee.

 

·         2 endoscopy/colonoscopy lists

·         ERCP lists (available to those showing interest and aptitude)

·         2 gastroenterology clinics

·         0.5 general medical clinic

·         2 consultant ward rounds

 

Other activities:

 

·         1 weekly GI radiology meeting   – Monday Lunch time (1-2 pm)

·         1 weekly multidisciplinary clinical meeting – Alternate Tuesday & Thursday (1-2 pm)

·         1 weekly general medical meeting – Friday Lunch time ( 1-2 pm)

·         Weekly UGI MDT meeting

·         Monthly Tuesday morning DDC meeting (including external speakers and audit)

 

Options:

 

·         Viral hepatitis and HIV clinics (Drs. Grant/Delahooke/Wiselska)

·         Liver disease (Dr Grant/Dr Delahooke)

·         Nutrition (Dr Stewart)

·         Helicobacter pylori research techniques (Dr Rathbone)

·         Training in Advanced Chemoprevention (Professor J Jankowski & 
Professor W Steward)

 

 

Special interests:

 

Dr Rathbone has a special interest in H pylori, particularly in the field of 3rd generation serology, pathogenicity and treatment.

 

Dr Stewart is interested in enteral/parenteral nutrition, audit, clinical governance and legal medicine

 

Professor Jankowski has interests in Cancer Surveillance and Chemoprevention.

 

Dr Wurm is interested in advanced colonoscopic techniques

 

Drs Delahooke and Grant are interested in all aspects of liver disease

 


 

 

b).       DERBY CITY HOSPITAL

 

Gastroenterologists:                     Dr J G Freeman

                                                            Dr A T Cole

                                                            Dr A F Goddard

                                                            Dr Cunliffe

                                                            Dr Holmes

                                                            Dr Norton

                                                            Dr Austin

                                                            Dr Lai

 

This is one of two large Teaching Hospitals serving the population of South Derbyshire (approximately 500,000); supporting a new undergraduate-entry medical school. The hospital has 507 beds providing acute medical, surgical and obstetric facilities. The District Renal Unit is based at Derby City General Hospital. There is a 12-bedded Planned Investigation Unit and a new Intensive Therapy Unit.

 

A Professorial Chair in Rehabilitation medicine was established in 1995, and in the following year Chairs of Paediatrics and Obstetrics and Gynaecology were established.  There is a Chair of Medicine (Vascular Medicine) at the Derbyshire Royal Infirmary.  A  Chair of Gastrointestinal Surgery is established at the Derby City General Hospital.  There is a large commitment to teaching medical students from Nottingham University. 

 

The Gastroenterology Department is an active and expanding unit offering training in all upper GI and colonic endoscopy, together with ERCP and endoscopic ultrasound. Training and experience in all forms of therapeutic endoscopy will be provided. There is a particular interest in laser work, with referrals from the East and West Midlands. The unit possesses an enteroscope for small bowel endoscopy for which training is also available.

 

Drs Freeman, Austin and Lai has an active interest in hepatology including the care of patients with advanced liver disease, hepatitis C and post liver transplant patients.

They are active contributors to the Trent Hepatitis C Research Network.  Drs Cole, Goddard, Norton and Holmes provide care for patients with inflammantory bowel disease and nutritional problems.

 

Weekly timetable:

 

·         one colonoscopy list

·         one endoscopy/laser list

·         one ERCP list

·         three gastroenterology clinics

·         one or two consultant ward rounds

·         Clinical Nutrition Team Ward Round

           

Other activities:

 

·         one weekly GI radiology meeting

·         one weekly GI histology meeting

·         one weekly Grand Round

·         one audit meeting weekly

·         Medical/Surgical gastroenterology meeting twice a month

·         Journal Clubs & Derby Medical Society meetings

 

Options:

 

·         Advanced therapeutic endoscopy including laser treatment of tumours, treatment of tumours with photodynamic therapy and argon beaming, oesophageal stenting and enteroscopy

·         Advanced therapeutic ERCP

·         Management of advanced liver disease

·         Endoscopic ultrasound

 

On call commitments:                   1 in 6 resident on call

 

Special interests:

 

There are special interests in laser treatment, hepatobiliary disease and inflammatory bowel disease.

 

Current research in Derby relates to drug trials in ulcerative colitis, duodenal ulcers and GORD; portal hypertension, alcoholic hepatitis, hepatorenal syndrome, inoperable rectal cancer and aspects of laser.

 
c).        KETTERING GENERAL HOSPITAL

 

Gastroenterologists:            Dr A P Chilton

                                                Dr A Hussain

                                                Dr A Steel

 

 

Kettering General Hospital (KGH) is a large DGH serving a population of 320 000. It is estimated that this will have increased to 400 000 by the end of the decade. We currently have 900 beds, 232 of which are medical. The GI unit is a productive environment dealing with greater than 6000 new and follow up patients and caring out over 6000 endoscopies per annum. KGH is a designated colorectal cancer centre, and there is close collaboration with the GI surgeons.

The Endoscopy unit is JAG compliant.

We aim to provide broad and focused training in gastroenterology and general medicine in a unit committed to the provision of high quality GI services. The SpR responsibilities are for the day-to-day management of inpatients and for the on going direct and planned support of patient care and junior doctor supervision.

Training will be focused on the needs of the individual and based on current competencies and agreed objectives.

A wide range of endoscopic services is provided in a modern well-equipped unit with three endoscopy theatres with plans for further expansion. Two nurse endoscopists support the endoscopy services.

We also have a part time CNS in gastroenterology, providing the hepatitis C support and managing complex ambulatory GI care.

Our objective is to equip trainees with the necessary tools to support them in their development into independent GI specialist.

 

Weekly timetable:

 

  • 2 endoscopy list (one training list)
  • 2 GI clinics
  • 0.5 GIM clinics
  • 2 consultant WR
  • 1 SPR WR
  • Medical student teaching
  • Flexible endoscopic backfill (dependant on competence)
  • Support of GI CNS in management of ambulatory care patients
  • Admin and research time

 

Additional Activities:

 

  • Weekly GI meeting (Tuesday 12.30-1.30)
  • Weekly MDT (wed 12.30-2.00)
  • Weekly academic half day (Friday 1.30-3.30) inc. grand rounds.

 

Options:

 

  • Instruction in therapeutic endoscopy (APC national training faculty member)
  • Service development
  • Managerial skills
  • Research and audit
  • Options will depend upon identified needs and educational prescription

 

On-Call:

 

1 in 11 full shift  (may increase to 1:12)

 

Special Interests:

 

  • Skills teaching and transference
  • Colorectal cancer risk and genetics
  • CRC screening
  • Patient satisfaction and embedding service quality

 

 

d).       PETERBOROUGH DISTRICT HOSPITAL

 

Gastroenterologist:           Dr M W Dronfield

                                                Dr P Nair

                                                Dr M Ninkovic

 

This is a modern district general hospital of 642 beds which provides all acute medical services for Peterborough district. The district has a total catchment area of 291,000.

 

There are three Consultant Gastroenterologists, Dr Dronfield, Dr Nair and Dr Ninkovic. The duties of the post are partly those of general medicine, both emergency inpatient and outpatient. There is also an extensive experience of gastroenterology, including diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy, and an inflammatory bowel disease clinic. The registrar will be encouraged to acquire experience in this clinic of long-term management of IBD.

 

There is a well-equipped endoscopy unit with good teaching facilities: registrars will be taught basic endoscopy and colonoscopic skills, with opportunity also to learn ERCP techniques.

 

Weekly timetable:

 

·         2 endoscopy lists

·         1 general gastroenterology clinic

·         1 inflammatory bowel disease clinic

·         1 general medical clinic - option to choose another speciality of trainee's choice.

·         2 consultant ward rounds

 

Other activities

 

·         weekly X-ray meeting

·         weekly grand round

·         weekly pathology meeting

·         weekly medical dept meeting

 

·         weekly MDT meetings

 

On call commitments:                   1 in 6 resident on call

 

Research

 

There is a well-endowed research fund; trainees are encouraged and supported in developing research interests. Two sessions are available for research activities.


 

 

8.         FURTHER DETAILS

 

Further details may be obtained from :-

 

Dr J Stewart

Training Programme Director/Consultant Gastroenterologist

University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust

Leicester Royal Infirmary

Leicester

LE1 5WW

 

Tel: (0116) 2586480

 

 

August 2006