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What to expect when working in OBGYN in the NHS

• July 08, 2020

Obstetrics and gynaecology is concerned with the care of pregnant woman, her unborn child and the management of diseases specific to women. The specialty is particularly appealing as it combines both medicine and surgery. Working in women’s health is a stimulating and rewarding career. Childbirth is an important event for any woman, and obstetricians are central to providing support and ensuring safety in maternity care

It is important to note that this is a very competitive area of medicine and thus in order to secure the best career opportunities for yourself, we would always advice the MRCOG route to GMC Registration.
 

Can I subspecialise?

O&G is a wide-ranging specialty with an extensive training programme that opens up lots of different career paths. Similarly to other specialties, O&G is a run through training programme lasting seven years. In the final two years of training (ST6-ST7), Doctors are expected to complete a subspecialty programme. The below table aims to outline the four recognised subspecialties and the common associated procedures for each.
 

Sub Specialty
Gynaecological Oncology	Providing specialist care to patients with gynaecological cancers (Ovarian/Uterine/Cervical/Vulval/Vaginal), initiating interventions for all stages and contexts of the disease. Common procedures - (Total Laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH), Groin lymph node dissection, Open para-aortic lymph node dissection, Laparotomy for stage 3/4 Ovarian Cancer, Vulvectomy, Radical Hysterectomy (open and Lap), Small bowel resection +/- anastomosis, Large bowel resection, Diaphragm/peritoneal resection/stripping)
Maternal and Fetal Medicine	Providing ultrasound to screen for pregnancy complications, fetal abnormalities and common conditions affecting the fetus. You will be managing a wide range of maternal medical conditions and pregnancy complications The main three points of focus within this subspecialty are Amniocentesis, Fetal Echocardiography and Chorionic Villus Sampling
Urogynaecology	Providing specialist care to patients with pelvic floor dysfunction, performing non-surgical and surgical treatments Common procedures – (Cystoscopy/Posterior Repair/Sacrocolpopexy/Sacrospinous Fixation/Urodynamics/Vaginal Hysterectomy and Anterior Repair/Laparoscopic Sacrocolpopexy)
Reproductive Medicine	Providing specialist care for women with endometriosis, managing endocrinological disorders, treating reproductive, early pregnancy and fertility problems through surgery and assisted conception Common procedures – (Hysteroscopic Surgery, Laparoscopic Adhesiolysis, Laparoscopic treatment of endometriosis, Laparoscopic Ovarian Cystectomy, Laparoscopic Salpingectomy, Laparoscopic Salpingostomy and Myomectomy)

 

Where will I be working?

Due to the varied nature of the specialty, you will be expected to work in a range of environments, which may include practicing in an antenatal or gynaecology outpatient clinic, an operating theatre, a labour ward, a scanning clinic or specialist clinic.

There are also many opportunities to work closely with the community, both in obstetrics, gynaecology and sexual and reproductive health where there is a significant public health aspect to the work. User input in maternity services is very active. Some doctors in this specialty now work completely in the community.

 

What else should I expect?

There is no typical day in Obstetrics and Gynaecology but most trainees and an increasing number of Consultants in the NHS will work on a shift system. They will begin their shift by undertaking ward rounds, seeing inpatients, new admissions and arranging any required investigations. A large part of the job will be contributing to the multidisciplinary team on the labour ward, which is a 24/7 service.

Teaching and training medical students and trainees is an important part of a consultant’s working week. They may also undertake research. Most consultants work during the daytime and are on call out-of-hours on a regular basis. Most trainees work on a shift pattern.
 

Relocating to the UK

If you are an international Obstetrician or Gynaecologist who would like to relocate to the UK , email your CV to [email protected] and we can support you in securing an NHS post and on your relocation journey to the UK. Please note, Obstetrics and Gynaecology is an extremely competitive field and thus NHS Trusts are fairly successful with their own recruitment processes. With this in mind BDI Resourcing mostly specialize in finding Consultant Obstetrics and Gynaecology positions but we can certainly keep your CV on file should an appropriate NHS position arise.

Are you a member of our Facebook group? When you join IMG Advisor, you join a community of doctors all looking to relocate to the UK and join the NHS. We post a series of blogs and vlogs to the group each day. We will also be on hand to answer all of your relocation queries.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel! We have over 60 videos covering everything you need to know about relocating to the UK and joining the NHS.

Listen to BDI Resourcing on the go with IMG Advisor the Podcast! You can listen to us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher and Buzzsprout. We have a number of episodes with tips and advice on relocating to the UK and the routes you can take to achieve this.

Finally, we have just launched our new Instagram, so if you are a member, feel free to follow us to view our posts and IGTV: @bdiresourcing
 

References:

Health Careers. 2020. Obstetrics And Gynaecology. [online] Available at: [Accessed 1 July 2020].

Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists. 2020. Considering A Career In Obstetrics And Gynaecology?. [online] Available at: [Accessed 1 July 2020].

Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists. 2020. Gynaecological Oncology Subspecialty Training. [online] Available at: [Accessed 1 July 2020].