MAJOR TRAUMA INTERFACE FELLOWSHIPS –TIG’S
Major trauma networks are now established across the country. However there remain serious workforce issues both in respect of the numbers of doctors available andtraining opportunity. The RCS,HEE and the specialist societies have been collaborating over the past two years to address these difficult issues .Undoubtedly there are doctors and surgeons out there who wish to work within these networks but present pathways may not in themselves provide the highest possible level of training to ensure clinicians and teams are equipped to manage the wide spectrum of blunt and penetrating trauma that now arrives at the doors of the centres. To support trainees wishing to work within the trauma networks and to make sure that every patient is met at the front door by a team with all the necessaryskills, plus ongoing coordinated clinical care, specially designed fellowships will be launched in 2017. RCS and HEE have identified two areas of service that require specific training which will be addressed within these new fellowships. A curriculum has been developed with two different themes aimed at two different but not exclusively separate pathways. The major trauma training programme director and the educational supervisors in the centres will ensure the relevant competencies are achieved and signed off in the year. The first is the skills of the resusssative surgeon. With the rise in penetrating trauma and the ever present threat of terrorist action there are gaps in service that need to be addressed urgently. The first arm of the new fellowships will select, most commonly from the general surgical pool of trainees, thosewishing to enhance their skills in procedures that are required to save lives at the front door. Fellowships will be available to provide teaching (both theoretical and practical) in the decision making process and the delivery of resusssative surgical skills. This will not be the only role of a resusssative surgeon as it is appreciated that a doctor’s career pathway will evolve over time. Resusssative surgeons will also obtain and retain other skills that will also complement the networks and allow career development. The second requirement identified within the networks is the role of the major trauma consultant He or she will lead, coordinate and follow the patient’sjourney. The major trauma consultant will also bring their specific sub speciality skills to the team but in only afew instances will the MTC consultant alsobe theresusssativesurgeon. The MTC consultant role will be suited to any doctor or surgeon. The second arm of the TIG will provide training in the general principals of trauma care and rehabilitation blended with that individual’s speciality career pathway. Leadership skills will be enhanced and this will ensure continuity of care all through the patient’s journey from front door to discharge and beyond. The major trauma training programme director and the educational supervisors in the centres will ensure the relevant competencies are achieved and signed off in the year The MTC TIG committee has been formed and major trauma networks will be asked to apply to host the fellowships. It is hoped to give applicants some choice of which network they wish to work in. Trainees need to align themselves and prepare to apply for these posts by the middle of next year. A clear commitment to major trauma with previous experience of major trauma would clearly be of advantage to applicants Appointment will be by formal application and interview. Details will be circulated in a few months but those interested are free to contact me at any time to discuss the project.
Martin D Bircher MTC TIG Chair.
I can be contacted throughMegan Warde at the college or