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.

Training programmes

Obstetrics and Gynaecology is offered as a run-through programme and the London Specialty School comprises of three regional training programmes:

North Central and North East London (NCEL)
- Key Contacts
- Trust Information Grid - Matching
- ATSM Preceptors
- Training Sites
  - Barnet Hospital
  - Homerton University Hospital
  - Newham University Hospital
  - North Middlesex University Hospital
  - Queen's Hospital
  - Royal Free Hospital
  - Royal London Hospital
  - University College London Hospital
  - Whittington Hospital
North West London
- Key Contacts
- Trust Information Grid - Matching
- ATSM Preceptors
- Training Sites
South London
- Key Contacts
- Trust Information Grid - Matching
- ATSM Preceptors
- Training Sites
  - Croydon University Hospital
  - Epsom and St Helier Hospitals
  - King's College Hospital
  - Kingston Hospital
  - Princess Royal University Hospital
  - Queen Elizabeth Hospital
  - St George's Hospital
  - St Thomas' Hospital
  - University Hospital Lewisham

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.

LSSOG Padlet: https://padlet.com/LSSOG/lssog-london-specialty-school-of-o-g-lvhlcleqd1p9ahyi

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.

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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