Key Contacts

Training Programme Director for Rheumatology – Dr Sara Carty – based at Great Western Hospital

Head of School of Medicine: Dr Carolyn Mackinlay

Associate Dean for Medicine: Dr Jon Francis

Education programme Manager: Joanne Pickstone

Education programme coordinator: vacant

Health Education South West Severn supervises all postgraduate medical specialist training in the region.

Information about the specialty

Rheumatology is an exciting specialty that deals with the investigation and management of patients with inflammatory arthritis, autoimmune rheumatic diseases, osteoarthritis, soft tissue rheumatism, chronic pain disorders and metabolic bone diseases. It is a speciality that works closely with the multidisciplinary team (nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, podiatrists, social workers and clinical psychologists), but increasingly innovative therapeutic options are now available, so that rheumatology is at the forefront of use of monoclonal antibodies and other cutting-edge biological pharmaceutical agents. Good knowledge of general medicine is essentials most conditions we see can have systemic effects.

The South-West is a beautiful and enjoyable part of the U.K. to live during training and for those going on to pursue Consultant careers in the region. Capturing historic cities such as Bath, Cheltenham and Bristol, and beautiful landscapes of the Cotswolds, Gloucestershire and Somerset, there are plenty of opportunities for leisure time and family life at a lower cost-of-living than other parts of the U.K. Transport links to London, Wales, Midlands and the south-coast are excellent. The relatively small geographic size of Severn’s region permits proximity between the hospital, aiding commutes.

Training Opportunities in South West Severn

This excellent training programme consists of nine posts, with all new posts dually accrediting,.. In addition there are several ACF posts in the deanery. As well as wide-ranging and comprehensive training in pure rheumatology, as part of this rotation in Severn Postgraduate Medical Education (PGME) it is possible to obtain training to specialise in areas such as metabolic bone disease, connective tissue disease, teaching, research, community and primary care-based rheumatology, ankylosing spondylitis and adolescent transition medicine. There is an excellent Paediatric Rheumatology Department in Bristol with the opportunity to visit for this sub-specialty experience.
We offer several opportunities to advance the knowledge and clinical skills  of our trainees. All trainees are allocated thirty days of study leave per year, with all applications for leave and requests for funding having been accommodated. Several trainees have completed the ‘Post-Graduate Certificate in Medical Education (PGCME)’. Severn PGME has an established ‘post-graduate management / leadership course’ attended yearly by senior trainees.

Each month all trainees attend a full-day ‘Rheumatology Training Day’ at hospitals in either Severn PGME or South Wales.  Currrently this program is taking place remotely via Teams.Presentations and practical workshops are provided by Consultants to ensure all aspects of the 2010 Rheumatology Curriculum are covered and that trainees a prepared for the ‘Rheumatology Speciality Certificate Examination (SCE)’. Joining education days with trainees from Wales has allowed for a broader learning experience, whilst sharing the expertise and knowledge of a nearby deanery.
Trusts in Bristol, Bath, Swindon and Gloucester each have their own established Tuesday afternoon ‘Rheumatology Post-Graduate Education’ timetable and ‘Journal Clubs’. Several times a year ‘regional combined post-graduate meetings’ including CTD, bone disease and sero-negative spondylo arthropathy are organised to combine expertise from these hospitals, with invited national / international guest speakers. Attendance is part of protected education time.

The Training Hospitals

  • Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
  • Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
  • North Bristol NHS Trust
  • The Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, Bath
  • University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust
  • Yeovil District Hospital 

Annual Assessment Information

Annual Review of Competency Progression (ARCP) occurs once a year.

Related Sites

JRCPTB