Medical Education and Fellowship Programme

Here in the Department of Paediatric Otolaryngology, our aim is to prepare our Fellows for a prosperous career in Paediatric Otolaryngology. This post will provide clinical support at post-CCT level, working closely with the existing Specialty Trainees, under the supervision of the Consultants. The Fellowship is open to international and UK senior trainees. The successful applicant will be required to demonstrate that they have successfully completed a higher training programme in ENT and are committed to the development of a sub-specialist interest in Paediatric ENT.

There are 2 Senior Clinical Fellowship posts annually; a Head and Neck Fellow and an Otology Fellow, with additional responsibility for pre- and post- operative care of patients. A clear rota is formulated to ensure that each Fellow receives an equal amount of leadership and training. The Fellows’ year of education is largely divided between clinical, surgical research, and teaching experience. Our objective is that by the end of their Fellowship, our Fellows will have acquired the knowledge and skills to provide optimal care for children with routine or complex medical and/or surgical conditions in all areas of Paediatric Otolaryngology. There will be the opportunity to gain further experience in secondary and tertiary level Paediatric ENT surgical procedures, in addition to the management of complex ENT patients and further exposure to research.

Clinical Education (Ward and Outpatient Work)

The clinical education of our Fellows is met through direct patient contact across an array of clinical settings including the outpatient clinic, on the inpatient wards, and via ward and emergency department referrals. Fellows will be exposed to the management of more complex clinical cases via specialty clinics and associated multidisciplinary team meetings. Due to the large volume of patients seen in our department, the Fellows’ exposure to learning opportunities is very extensive. We believe these multiple levels of patient exposure will facilitate the development of patient evaluation, medical management and surgical intervention skills for both routine and complex cases.

Theatre Work

The Fellows’ surgical exposure will be extensive and involve a wide range of Paediatric ENT surgical procedures including routine and complex airway, rhinology, otology and head and neck surgeries.

Administration / Teaching

The Fellows’ teaching and educational skills are developed through their guidance and clinical support of under- and post-graduate trainees including rotating Specialty Trainees and medical students.

Research

We actively encourage our Fellows to commit to life-long learning through regular self-study, the review of up-to-date medical literature and attendance at national and international conferences. The Fellows will be given the opportunity to contribute to the vibrant research programme run within the department.

Hear from our previous Fellows

“The one year Paediatric Airway and Head and Neck Surgery fellowship at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital was a keystone in my development as a paediatric ENT surgeon. As a tertiary paediatric referral centre, it has a high load of airway cases with plenty of surgical opportunities. Besides an immense improvement of my surgical skills thanks to the excellent teaching of the consultants, I also acquired invaluable knowledge about decision making, diagnostics, communication and holistic approach in this specific subgroup of patients. With the knowledge and skills that I have gained during this fellowship, I feel more than confident to safely start and extend my practise as a paediatric ENT surgeon back in Belgium. I would highly recommend this fellowship to anyone aiming at a successful career as a paediatric airway surgeon because of the ample learning opportunities in combination with the gentle and supportive nature of the highly experienced mentors”

~Mrs Maaike Rathe, Belgium

“I undertook the paediatric ENT fellowship at RMCH having completed my training on the Manchester rotation including 2 spells at RMCH. There was no doubt that the fellowship could offer exactly what I needed from a surgical and research perspective to cultivate a practice in both paediatric otology and airway surgery.

The experience was intense with vast throughput of emergency and elective work. There was a great balance of direct supervision and opportunities to develop my own management plans with consultant oversight. Implant otology and chronic ear disease, congenital and acquired airway pathology and a stream of regional referrals coming to NICU and PICU ensured there was never a day similar to the next.

On leaving the fellowship I took a Consultant post at Sheffield Children’s Hospital. My first morning as the on-call Consultant involved a surgical tracheostomy on a 3 year old followed by a cortical mastoidectomy in an 11 month old.  It is thanks to the mentorship, guidance and passion for teaching shared by my consultant trainers at RMCH that I had the skill set and confidence to make that morning (and many since!) pass smoothly.

If you want to throw yourself into the busiest unit and learn from leaders in the field, RMCH is the place to go”

~Mr Rohit Verma, Sheffield

“My Fellowship in Paediatric ENT at the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital was beyond my expectations! I had a special interest in Paediatric Otology and Cochlear implants but I ended up being exposed to a variety of simple and complex, common and rare and urgent and emergent cases. This included airway, head and neck conditions in children and young people.

Now, I can say that I am confident dealing with most of these cases due to the great exposure and the excellent and safe practice in a supervised environment. Having said that, I must not forget the amazing supportive Paediatric ENT Consultants in this department! The constant support and constructive feedback have significantly boosted my confidence to work independently.

Last but not least, in addition to the clinical and surgical skills I gained, my research skills have tremendously improved!”

~Mrs Maryam Sahwan, Bahrain

Application Information

Overview

The Department of Paediatric Otolaryngology at the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital serves as a centre of excellence for the assessment and management of children with complex head and neck masses, congenital anomalies, airway disorders, otologic disorders and sinonasal disease.

The Department’s six full-time Consultants have extensive experience in a variety of different areas within the field of paediatric otolaryngology.

Our Department offers an observership programme designed for medical students and clinicians from across the world who are looking to enhance or refine their paediatric otolaryngology practise.

Through this programme, observers will be provided the opportunity to observe and evaluate the subtleties involved in both routine and complex paediatric otolaryngology.

Visiting Professional Programme Guidance Document

Visting Professional Programme Brochure

Hear from a previous Observer

“I have been to the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital as a clinical observer for a week. What stood out the most during my time there was how approachable and friendly everyone was, making me feel instantly welcome. The nurses, doctors and secretaries I met seemed to be very happy at their place of work and all the patient encounters observed were very professional.

The experience left such a good impression that I applied for a Fellowship at RMCH!”

~Mr. Ryan Grech, Malta

Our department is committed to educating the next generation of leaders in child health. To this end, our Consultants work collaboratively with the University of Manchester across a number of roles including as Academic Advisors, Year 4 Clinical Placement Supervisors, PEP and APEP supervisors, undergraduate OSCE examiners and Honorary Senior Lecturers.