Edinburgh Orthopaedic Trauma Unit

The Unit

Description

The Edinburgh Orthopaedic Trauma Unit is almost unique amongst the world’s major trauma units in that it is the only trauma unit serving a population of about 650,000 people. In most western countries such a population would be divided between more hospitals and the patients would be
admitted to different hospitals according to the severity of their injuries. Currently the unit admits about 4,500 patients per year and undertakes about 4,100 surgical operations. In addition approximately 38,000 out-patients are seen on an annual basis.

Approximately 40% of the workload concerns fractures in the elderly with proximal femoral fractures accounting for just under 20% of all admissions. The challenging geriatric fractures are in fact the remaining 20% as these patients tend to be fitter and more active than those who have hip fractures. Much of the units time is taken up with the complex reconstruction surgery that these patients require. The remaining 60% of patients are younger and frequently present with severe long-bone fractures, open fractures or multiple fractures having been involved in road traffic accidents. Unlike the elderly population the priority with younger patients is to return them to work as soon as possible as failure to do this is extremely expensive.

The unit is well supported by the Department of Plastic Surgery at St John’s Hospital who undertake much of the soft tissue reconstruction that is required in the management of these difficult injuries.

Research Activities

Extensive research program and publications. The unit has undertaken many epidemiological
analysis of fracture populations and pursued clinical outcome of research for a wide spectrum of fractures.

Fellowship Program

Clinical Responsibilities

Ward and outpatients clinics

Research Opportunities

Most postgraduate students would be expected to
undertake an acheivable research project.

Teaching Responsibilities

Availiable to undergraduate and postgraduate
students.

Salary

Standard UK registrar pay with additional duty payment

Applicant Requirements

If you are interested in applying for a postgraduate Orthopaedic Trauma
Surgery Attachment please send a letter clearly detailing: Applicants should
be highly motivated and have a high quality curriculum vitae.
1) your training aims and objectives.
2) how long and when you want stay
3) your current job plan
4) your future job plan

You must supply a letter of application with a current c.v., a copy of
your qualifying medical and surgical degrees and three letters of
recommendation from surgeons or doctors familiar with your work

Contact

Mr Gary Keenan

Consultant Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgeon
Head of Training
New Royal Infirmary
Old Dalkeith Road

Edinburgh, Scotland EH16 4SU
Scotland

Phone: +44 (0) 131 242 3402
Fax: +44 (0) 131 242 3467

Sep 26, 2006