NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) is one of the largest healthcare systems in the UK employing around 40,000 staff in a wide range of clinical and non-clinical professions and job roles. We deliver acute hospital, primary, community and mental health care services to a population of over 1.15 million and a wider population of 2.2 million when our regional and national services are included.
The shift pattern for this post is Monday to Friday 0800-1700
This is a Fixed term post for 1 year
Commencement date From 05 August 2026 - (Flexible start/end dates may be considered)
Brief Description of Department
The Canniesburn Burns and Plastic Surgery Unit is a world-renowned centre for reconstructive microsurgery, performing 250–300 free flaps per year. The unit specialises in microsurgical breast reconstruction, orthoplastic lower limb reconstruction, sarcoma, and head and neck cancer.
In addition, the service provides comprehensive general plastic surgery including elective and traumatic hand surgery, melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer, perineal reconstruction, vascular anomalies, laser services, facial palsy, cleft surgery, congenital hand surgery, and elective and acute paediatric plastic surgery.
Canniesburn delivers national services for brachial plexus injuries and for all major adult and paediatric burns across Scotland. The unit works closely with a wide range of specialties including Orthopaedics, Breast Surgery, General Surgery, Paediatrics, Gynaecology, Dermatology, Rheumatology, Maxillofacial Surgery, and Neurosurgery.
The unit is part of the Regional Services Directorate within NHSGGC Acute Division. Services are primarily delivered at Glasgow Royal Infirmary (GRI), with major orthoplastic limb trauma, head and neck reconstruction, and paediatric surgery delivered at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH – Level 1 Major Trauma Centre) and the Royal Hospital for Children. Outpatient clinics are held across GRI, QEUH, the children’s hospital, and peripheral hospitals throughout the West of Scotland.
Fellowship Position
Job Title: Senior Fellow in Plastic Surgery – Microsurgical Lower Limb and Sarcoma Reconstruction
This fellowship is aimed at senior trainees seeking advanced subspecialty training in orthoplastic lower limb trauma and sarcoma reconstruction. Applicants who are approaching FRCS (Plast) exit or who have completed training are encouraged to apply.
A separate breast reconstruction fellowship exists within the unit; therefore, this post is particularly suited to candidates with a primary interest in lower limb orthoplastic reconstruction and sarcoma surgery. Exposure to breast reconstruction and other microsurgical work (hand, upper limb, head and neck, facial palsy, and brachial plexus) will be supported but will form a minority of the workload. The fellowship offers flexibility to meet individual learning objectives.
Duties and Responsibilities
The postholder will:
* Deliver the highest standard of patient care
* Be responsible for day-to-day inpatient management under consultant supervision
* Provide clinical and educational support to junior trainees
* Participate in equitable training while prioritising cases relevant to subspecialty development
Most acute orthoplastic lower limb trauma is managed at QEUH within the Major Trauma Centre. The Fellow will work closely with Orthopaedic and Major Trauma teams and, supported by trainees and the Orthoplastic Advanced Nurse Practitioner, will oversee patient management including leading a weekly MDT and grand round.
The Fellow will work under the supervision of 4 orthoplastic lower limb consultants, with access to:
* Minimum two dedicated orthoplastic theatre sessions per week
* 2–3 orthoplastic clinics per month
Sub-acute and chronic lower limb reconstruction is undertaken at both GRI and QEUH. Sarcoma reconstruction is primarily delivered at GRI, with some joint working at the Golden Jubilee Hospital and Royal Hospital for Children. Fellows will attend weekly sarcoma MDTs and surgical planning meetings and will contribute to audit, outcomes reporting, and M&M meetings.
Educational Opportunities
* Weekly consultant-led departmental teaching
* Mandatory monthly audit and M&M meetings
* Access to regional and national teaching
* Opportunities to attend and contribute to:
o National and international webinar series
o Bi-annual FRCS pre-fellowship course
o Microsurgery course
o Annual cadaveric flap course (University of Glasgow)
Strong academic links exist with the Universities of Glasgow and Strathclyde, with active research across reconstructive microsurgery, limb reconstruction, sarcoma, nerve injury, burns, and skin oncology. Structured mentoring and training will be provided in line with Specialty Trainee frameworks.
Terms and Conditions
* Full-time post
* Salary on Registrar payscale, dependent on previous service
* Study leave in line with Terms and Conditions of Service
* NHS Scotland e-library and ATHENS access
* Assistance with accommodation may be available
* Pre-employment medical required
Informal contact: Mr Neil Fairbairn E-mail: Neil.Fairbairn@ggc.scot.nhs.uk
Details on how to contact the Recruitment Service and the Recruitment Process: Information for candidates
Due to the volume of applications that we receive, we will not be able to provide shortlisting feedback.
Applicants who have not undertaken a UK foundation programme within 3.5 years of the advertised post start date, will be asked to submit a Certificate of Readiness to Enter Specialty Training (CREST). The CREST form must be completed by a consultant who has worked with you for a minimum continuous period of three months whole-time equivalent wholly within the 3.5 years prior to the advertised post start date for which you are applying.
Due to the volume of applications that we receive, we will not be able to provide shortlisting feedback.
NHSGGC-NHS Scotland encourages applications from all sections of the community. We promote a culture of inclusion across the organisation and are proud of the diverse workforce we have.
By signing the Armed Forces Covenant, NHSGGC has pledged its commitment to being a Forces Friendly Employer. We support applications from across the Armed Forces Community, recognising military skills, experience and qualifications during the recruitment and selection process.
NHSGGC recognise the importance of work-life balance and is committed to offering a range of flexible working options where service needs allow. For roles where less than full-time hours can be accommodated, and the tenure is listed as 'various', we encourage applications from individuals seeking flexible working arrangements and this will be included as a topic for discussion during the recruitment process.
Relevant HR policies on our HR connect site .
Candidates should provide original and authentic responses to all questions within the application form. The use of artificial intelligence (AI), automated tools, or other third-party assistance to generate, draft, or significantly modify responses is strongly discouraged. By submitting your application, you confirm that all answers are your own work, reflect your personal knowledge, skills and experience, and have not been solely produced or altered by AI or similar technologies. Failure to comply with this requirement may result in your application being withdrawn from the application process.
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