Neurology

About KSS Neurology training

The HEE KSS training programme in Neurology is currently a five-year programme and leads to accreditation in Neurology. There is potential for one year to be spent training in Stroke, leading to dual accreditation in Neurology and Stroke. Come August 2022, KSS will be offering a new curriculum following changes brought about by Shape of Training.  

The Programme is led by Nik Patel, Head of School, and Dr Shane Delamont, Training Programme Director. Find out more about their roles on the Meet the Team webpage.

By choosing to train in HEE KSS, trainees will have the opportunity to develop a broad base of specialty experience covering the full curriculum in the friendly and supportive units within the region. All trainees have at least a one-year placement within a London Teaching Hospital Neuroscience Centre to deepen their sub-specialty knowledge in world-class centres of expertise.

By combining experience in HEE KSS trusts along with teaching hospital posts, trainees can gain the experience and skills to become well-rounded and confident Neurologists – there are many fantastic training opportunities within the region.

Within District General Hospital (DGH) placements, trainees will be involved in a full complement of general neurology clinics and specialist clinics including epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, movement disorders, motor neurone disease. Rehabilitation and stroke are available in certain placements. All DGHs provide training in neurology ward consultations in close liaison with consultants.

In-patient neurology is covered in each training rotation with KSS. This is available in neurology centres and at the tertiary placements. The attachments to tertiary neuroscience centres allow for training in specialist and sub-specialist areas of the curriculum and tertiary inpatient management. This also provides exposure to associated neuroscience specialties including neurosurgery, neurophysiology, neuropsychology and tertiary specialist neuroradiology.

Structured training

Prior to COVID-19, HEE KSS trainees joined the London trainees for a monthly training day located centrally at the National Hospital, Queen Square. This training programme is designed to cover all aspects of the curriculum over two years and ensure that you will acquire the specialist knowledge needed to pass the Specialty Certificate Examination (SCE), as well as gaining insight into research opportunities.  Following COVID-19, these lectures are delivered via the internet and have been made available to all trainees.

Each rotation provides protected local teaching: grand rounds where trainees will have the opportunity to present cases, weekly neuro-radiology meetings and audit. London Teaching Hospital Neuroscience Centre neurology trainees must sit and pass the SCE, which currently is taken in ST5 but which will likely become ST6 after transitioning to the new curriculum.

Where do we provide training?

Our posts are organised into three geographical sub-rotations within KSS with opportunities to access tertiary centre placements, as detailed below.  National Training Numbers (NTNs) will be advertised within one of these rotations, with exact hospital placements and overall rotation through the programme being confirmed with the trainee by the Training Programme Director and the local programme organiser.

The three geographical sub-rotations are:

Rotations are every six to 12 months and ST5 training is in a London Teaching Hospital.

– Kent and Canterbury Hospital, Canterbury – East Kent Hospitals University Foundation Trust

– William Harvey Hospital, Ashford – East Kent Hospitals University Foundation Trust

– Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mother Hospital, Margate – East Kent Hospitals University Foundation Trust

– Medway Maritime Hospital, Medway – Medway NHS Foundation Trust

– Darent Valley Hospital, Dartford – Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust

– Royal Surrey County Hospital, Guildford – Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust 

– Frimley Park Hospital, Frimley – Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust

– St George’s Hospital, London – St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (as part of the Surrey rotation)

Plus a one-year placement for the London rotation at the following:

– St George’s Hospital, London – St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

– Hurstwood Park Neurosciences Centre, Haywards Heath – Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust

– Royal Sussex County Hospital Outpatient clinic (also at other neighbouring DGHs), Brighton – Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust

Plus, a one-year placement (usually ST5) at the following London rotation:

– The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London – University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Within this framework, we aim where possible for rotations to be family-friendly, and to minimise the need for travel or relocation during the programme. Typically, trainees can expect to spend the first two years (ST3, ST4) within their sub-rotation, before gaining tertiary centre experience in a London placement in the following year (ST5), according to training needs.

To find out more about each KSS training location, please visit the Local Education Provider webpage.

Other Opportunities

Many Neurology trainees apply for out-of-program research OOP(R) with a view to an MD or PhD, usually in London Teaching Hospitals. One year can count towards training with prior approval of the JRCPTB. Otherwise, the final year (ST7) is an opportunity to consolidate your training with a view towards planning a post CCT career. A Stroke fellowship in ST7 leading to dual accreditation is available.

Recent developments in the organisation of research nationally and regionally (with the establishment of the HEE KSS Clinical Research Network (HEE KSS CRN) in April 2014) mean that this is now an exciting time for developing and participating in clinical research in Kent, Surrey & Sussex. There is a focus on growing research capacity, capability, infrastructure and opportunities for involvement in research within the region.

Specialist trainees are encouraged to attend and submit papers to national meetings including the Association of British Neurologists (ABN) meetings, and to become members of the ABNT. All trainees in the UK can apply for one of the three annual Australasian fellowships via the Neurology Specialty Advisory Committee.

HEE KSS also supports trainees who wish to train less than full time (LTFT). For all queries please go via the PGMDE Support Portal.

Post COVID-19, training has been adapted to include, telephone, video, and managed face to face clinics.