Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Obstetrics and Gynaecology is a vital and competitive specialty that evolves with the latest advances in medical technology. We provide training at world-renowned training institutions including University College London, St Thomas' and Imperial College Healthcare, as well as a number of excellent district general hospitals. Working with a diverse healthcare population across London, trainees will treat a cross-range of patients and medical conditions in urban communities.

The London Specialty School of Obstetrics and Gynaecology is responsible for the quality and commissioning of training in this specialty. Obstetrics and Gynaecology has more than 500 trainees and offers programmes at prestigious teaching centres across the capital.

The vision for the London School of Obstetrics and Gynaecology is:

World class education for world-class healthcare
Excellence of postgraduate training and education
Producing clinical leaders of tomorrow

Head of School: Dr Karen Joash

Dr Karen Joash (BSc (Hons), MSc, MBBS, MRCOG and PGCert) is Head of the London School of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and is responsible for the quality of Obstetrics and Gynaecology training in London.

Karen is Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist at Queen Charlotte’s and Chelsea Hospitals, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust. She previously served in HEE Training Programme Director (TPD) roles for North West London, ATSMs (North West London) and Lead for O&G Maximising Training Opportunities. She has also served as a Divisional director for postgraduate education at Imperial and also as a Faculty development director for educational supervisors.

Her clinical interests include High Risk Obstetrics, Perinatal Mental Health, Postnatal care, Maternal medicine, General Gynaecology, Outpatient Hysteroscopy and Menstrual disorders. She also has an interest in medical leadership and has championed several local and regional quality improvement projects in North West London. She has a passion for excellence in postgraduate education with a focus on collaborative leadership, innovation, fairness and equity.

Deputy Head of School: Dr Shankar (Dilip) Visvanathan

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Dr Shankar (Dilip) Visvanathan (MBBS, MD, MRCOG) is the Deputy Head of the London School of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

Dilip is a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at Whipps Cross University Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust. He is a keen advocate of education and training and was previously the Lead Training Programme Director for North, Central and East London. He also has an interest in the training of International Medical Graduates and is the regional ambassador for overseas trainees who are training in London through the Medical Training Initiative.

PAN London SITM Recruitment 2025 for Advanced laparoscopy and Robotics

Applications are now open for ST5+ trainees. Closing date to submit your application is Sunday 18th May 2025. Interviews will take place on Tuesday 17th June via MS teams.

On-line application form for Advanced laparoscopy here: https://forms.office.com/e/BtjA2my6df

On-line application form for Robotics here: https://forms.office.com/e/d5G1LFPfhM

SITM Job Descriptions

Advanced Lap:

NCEL - 1 post rotating between North Middlesex and Homerton Hospitals (12 months each) JD PS

NWL - 1 post at C&W (24 months)

SL - 1 post rotating between EPSH and PRUH hospitals (12 months each)

Robotics:

NCEL: 1 post at Queen's Hospital (24 months)

NWL - 1 post at C&W (24 months)

SL - 1 post rotating between King's and St George's hospitals (12 months each) - JD to be listed shortly.

LSSOG Padlet

This is an incredibly useful resource created for London O&G trainees. At your fingertips, you have information relating to key contacts in the deanery-TPDs/ Pan London Leads/ College tutors/ Trainee reps/Administrative support as well as a comprehensive online handbook which covers all sorts of information relating to the training programme. There is also a wellbeing toolkit which encompasses the 5 main domains-financial, psychological, physical, community and spiritual, all of which can be explored for practical tips and tricks to manage the demanding lifestyle of an O&G trainee. Moreover, as a trainee moving across different units frequently, you may also come across issues relating to workplace behaviour, training problems, patient safety concerns and governance structures. In the padlet toolkit, you will find handy information about PSIRF, learning from incidents, managing burnout, how to escalate if you have concerns etc. If you have any further suggestions on what else could be included, please get in touch with us.

Specialty Training Board Information

The London Specialty School of Obstetrics and Gynaecology holds Specialty Training Board meetings three times per year. The purpose of this group is to bring together specialty leads from postgraduate medical training programmes across the three London local education and training board areas to consider issues of mutual interest in relation to Obstetrics and Gynaecology training, and to foster and share good training practice on a pan London basis.

Curriculum: https://www.rcog.org.uk/en/careers-training/specialty-training-curriculum/

ePortfolio: https://training.rcog.org.uk/user/login?destination=

Exams: https://www.rcog.org.uk/en/courses-exams-events/

https://london.hee.nhs.uk/sites/default/files/sitm_sipm_preceptors.pdf

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