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Urology Fellowships

Approved Fellowships and Fellows' Gallery

This page includes a list of the Urology Fellowship programmes which have been approved under the RCS England Senior Clinical Fellowship Scheme and a gallery of recent Urology Fellows.

Applying to be a fellow

If you would like to be a RCS England Senior Clinical Fellow, you will need to contact the Supervisor / Lead Consultant of the Fellowship programme you are interested in. Ask the Supervisor / Lead Consultant if or when there is a vacancy for a fellow. They will tell you how to apply, if appropriate. Please go to the appropriate Fellowship programme listed below for more information.

Fellows appointed to RCS England Senior Clinical Fellowships will be expected to be ambassadors for the RCS England and meet the requirements of the GMC's Good Medical Practice.

RCS Senior Clinical Fellowships in Urology

Female and Functional Urology Fellowships

Newcastle Female and Functional Urology Fellowship

Based at: Newcastle-upon-Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Surgical Specialty Association approving: BAUS

Approval period: Initially approved July 2016; reapproved December 2019 - February 2023

Supervisor / Lead Consultant: Mr Christopher Harding, Consultant Urological Surgeon, with Miss Victoria Lavin, Consultant Urological Surgeon

Fellowship duration: 6-12 months

Stated learning outcomes:

• Outpatient management of complex tertiary referrals.
• Independently perform botulinum toxin a injections into the bladder.
• Independently perform female stress incontinence surgery.
• Independently perform sacral neuromodulation.
• Wide exposure to surgery for male stress urinary incontinence.
• Independently perform ileal conduit urinary diversion.
• Perform and intrepret video cystometry.
• Complete an audit.
• Submission of publication to a peer-reviewed journal.
• Participation in departmental and national research.

Clinical competencies to be achieved:

• Independent operator for female stress incontinence surgery.
• Independent operator for ileal conduit urinary diversion.
• Independent operator for sacral neuromodulation procedures.
• Independent operator for male incontinence surgery.
• Lead operator for advanced reconstructive urological surgery.

Number of main operations the fellow could expect to be involved in:

(Estimates are per 6 month block)

• Video/ Simple Urodynamics – more than 25 cases
• Cystoscopy and Botulinum Toxin – more than 25 cases
• Sacral Nerve Stimulation Procedures – more than 25 cases
• Artificial Urinary Sphincter Insertion – 6-10 cases
• Urethroplasty – 2-6 cases
• Periurethral Bulking Injection – 4-6 cases
• Ileal Conduit Urinary Diversion – 3-6 cases
• Cystectomy – 2-3 cases
• Bladder Augmentation – 1-2 cases
• Orthotopic Bladder Reconstruction – 1-2 cases
• Penile prosthesis insertion – 2-4 cases
• Colposuspension – 4-6 cases
• Mesh removal cases – 3-5 cases
• Urethral Diverticulum excision – 2-4 cases
• Urogenital Fistula Surgery – 1-3 cases
• Autologous Fascial Sling – 1-3 cases
• Penile Reconstruction (Nesbitts procedure) 2-4 cases

Fellows awarded Fellowship Certificate (dates of Fellowship):

• Andrew Harris (Sept 16 - Aug 17)
• Frances Burge (Sept 18 - Mar 19)
• Omar Naser (Jul 19 - Feb 20)
• Bianca Barea (Mar - Dec 20)
• Arjun Nambiar (Dec 20 - Oct 21)

Fellows' feedback

A summary of final feedback from the five most recent completing Fellows

1. Learning Outcomes

"I achieved all of the learning outcomes as specified in my learning agreement."

Strongly disagree |
Disagree |
Neither agree nor disagree |
Agree |  x
Strongly agree |  x  x  x  x

2. Service: Training Balance

Please indicate the balance between service and training in your clinical activities:

Mostly service |
More service than training |
About equal |
More training than service |
Mostly training |  x  x  x  x  x

3. Overall rating

How would you rate the Fellowship post overall, from 1-5? (1=very poor, 5=very good)

1
2
3
4
5  x  x  x  x  x

Would you recommend this post to a colleague?

Yes |  x  x  x  x  x
No |

Gender Affirmation Surgery Fellowships

St George's Gender Affirmation Surgery (Feminising) Fellowship

Based at: St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London

Surgical Specialty Association approving: BAUS

Approval period: February 2021 - January 2024

Supervisor / Lead Consultant: Mr Roland Morley, Consultant Urologist, with Miss Tina Rashid, Consultant Urologist

Fellowship duration: 12 months

Stated learning outcomes:

• To develop advanced skills in the surgical management of patients and reconstruction of genitalia in patients with gender incongruence/dysphoria
• Outpatient management of complex tertiary referrals in Gender Affirming Surgery and Complications
• Wide exposure to surgery for Gender Affirming feminising surgery and its complications

Feminising surgery:

a. Independently perform vaginoplasty using penile skin lining, with creation of neoclitoris and labia
b. Assist with surgery using bowel
c. Perform with supervision surgery using penile skin
d. Perform with supervision revisional surgery including revision meatoplasty

• Complete an audit and Quality Improvement Project
• Submission of a publication to a peer-reviewed journal
• Participation in Departmental and National Research

Clinical competencies to be achieved:

• Independent operator for vaginoplasty using penile skin inversion technique
• Independent operator for common complications in feminising genital gender affirmation surgery
• Perform with supervision feminising genital surgery using scrotal or other skin techniques
• Assist in feminising genital surgery using bowel augmentation techniques

Expected number of main operations to be performed by the Fellow: • Formation of a neovaginal cavity: 50
• Using skin to form a neovaginal lining: 10
• Creation of a neoclitoris, labia minora and majora: 50
• Bowel segment vaginoplasty: 1-5 (trainee would perform part of these as numbers low)
• Treating complications of genital reconstruction in transgender women: 20

Kidney Transplantation Fellowships

Dublin Beaumont Kidney Transplantation Fellowship

Based at: Beaumont Hospital, Dublin

Surgical Specialty Association approving: BAUS

Approval period: Initially approved December 2014; reapproved October 2018 - December 2021

Supervisor / Lead Consultant: Ms Dilly Little, Consultant Urologist, with Mr Gordon Smyth, Consultant Transplant Surgeon and Urological Surgeon

Fellowship duration: 12-24 months - the Fellowship starts in July

Stated learning outcomes:

• Competent in performing deceased donor nephrectomies, primary transplants and management of related complications.
• Competent in evaluation of patients to go on transplant waiting list.
• Competent in evaluating living kidney donors.
• Understand principles and knowledge outlined in the curriculum.
• Successfully pass the European Board of Transplant Surgery Examination Module 1-3.

Clinical competencies to be achieved:

• Manage clinical care of kidney transplant recipient with understanding of immunosuppression.
• Perform deceased donor retrieval of kidneys.
• Perform primary kidney transplant.

Number of main operations the fellow could expect to be involved in:

The Learning Agreement will include:

• Fully trained in organ procurement procedures and principles of organ preservation.
• Independently perform kidney graft procurement – DBD and DCD.   Index case number 20.
• Perform a primary kidney transplant, with consultant supervision. Index case number 10 – 20.
• The ability to do 20 transplants will depend on the surgical skill brought to the fellowship by the trainee.

Fellows awarded Fellowship Certificate (dates of Fellowship):

• Prem Thomas Jacob (Jul 15 - Jul 16)
• Mohamed Taha (Jul 15 - Jul 16)
• Ian Robertson (Jul 16 - Jul 17)
• Catalin Constandache (Jun 17 - Jun 18)
• Ati Ferede (Jul 17 - Jun 19)

Fellows' feedback

A summary of final feedback from the four most recent completing fellows providing full feedback:

1. Learning Outcomes

"I achieved all of the learning outcomes as specified in my learning agreement."

Strongly disagree |
Disagree |
Neither agree nor disagree |
Agree |  x  x
Strongly agree |  x x

2. Service: Training Balance

Please indicate the balance between service and training in your clinical activities:

Mostly service |
More service than training |  x
About equal |  x
More training than service |  x x
Mostly training |

3. Overall rating

How would you rate the Fellowship post overall, from 1-5? (1=very poor, 5=very good)

1
2
3
4  x
5  x  x  x

Would you recommend this post to a colleague?

Yes |  x  x  x  x
No |

Paediatric Urology Fellowships

BAPU Senior Clinical Fellowship in Paediatric Urology

Based at: Birmingham Children's Hospital, Bristol Children's Hospital, and University Hospital Southampton

Surgical Specialty Association approving: BAPU

Approval period: March 2022 - February 2025

Supervisors / Lead Consultants: Liam McCarthy, Consultant Paediatric Urologist and Transplant Surgeon, Birmingham Children's Hospital; Mark Woodward, Consultant Paediatric Urologist, and Mohamed Shalaby, Consultant Paediatric Urologist, Bristol Children's Hospital; Stephen Griffin, Consultant Paediatric Urologist, and Ewan Brownlee, Consultant, Southampton University Hospital

Fellowship duration: 24 months

Stated learning outcomes:

• Outcome 1: To be able to manage acutely all emergency cases in presenting to paediatric urology, including obstruction and urosepsis
• Outcome 2: To be able to manage infants and children presenting with antenatal hydronephrosis to routine clinic
• Outcome 3: To be able to manage children with neuropathic bladder and bowel
• Outcome 4: To be able to manage children with congenital bladder outlet obstruction
• Outcome 5: To be able to manage children with incontinence of urine
• Outcome 6: To be able to manage children with renal impairment
• Outcome 7: To be able to manage urolithiasis acutely and in the routine clinic

Clinical competencies to be achieved:

To understand the natural history and complications of the conditions encountered in paediatric urology, the indications and complications of non-operative management and surgical intervention, to be able to participate fully in multi-disciplinary team meetings.

Number of main operations the fellow could expect to be involved in:

Recommended PBA Level / Minimum to complete Fellowship:

• Exploration acute scrotum (torted hydatid; torsion testis): 4 / 4
• Cystourethroscopy; SPC insertion: 4 / 4
• PUV resection: 4 / 4
• Ureteric access; stent insertion: 4 / 4
• Cystoscopy and STING/Deflux injection: 4 / 4
• Ureteroscopy- rigid: 4 / 4
• Ureteroscopy- flexi: 3 / -
• Percutaneous nephrolitomy (PCNL): 3 / -
• Ovarian cystectomy; ovarian detorsion; oophorectomy: 3 / -
• Hypospadias repair: single stage: 4 / 4
• Hypospadias repair: two stage: 4 / 4
• Chordee correction: 4 / 4
• Repair of Megaprepuce: 4 / 4
• Nephrectomy (open or laparoscopic): 4 / 4
• Heminephrectomy (open or laparoscopic): 4 / 4
• Nephrostomy (open/perc): 3 / -
• Pyeloplasty (open or laparoscopic): 4 / 4
• Reimplantation of ureter (open or laparoscopic): 4 / -
• Bladder augmentation (ileocystoplasty): 4 / 4
• Bladder augmentation (ureterocystoplasty): 3 / -
• ACE (open or laparoscopic; caecal flap): 4 / 4
• Mitrofanoff: 4 / 4
• Monti Mitrofanoff: 4 / 3
• Bladder outlet procedure (bladder neck reconstruction; bladder neck sling; artificial sphincter): 3 / -
• Orchidopexy for palpable UDT: 4 / 4
• Surgery for impalpable UDT (open or laparoscopic): 4 / 4
• Laparoscopic gonadal biopsy/excision: 4 / 4
• Peritoneal dialysis catheter insertion/removal: 4 / 4
• Feminising genitoplasty: 1 / -
• Cloaca repair (PSARVUP; urogenital sinus mobilisation): 2 / -
• Bladder exstrophy closure (classic staged/ Kelly etc): 1 / -
• Renal Transplantation: 1 / -

Urology Robotic Fellowships

Lister Urological Robotic Fellowship, Stevenage

Based at: Hertfordshire and South Bedfordshire Urological Cancer Centre

Surgical Specialty Association approving: BAUS

Approval period: Initially approved November 2012; reapproved April 2016; reapproved June 2019 - August 2022

Supervisor / Lead Consultant: Mr J.M. Adshead, Consultant Urological and Robotic Surgeon, with Mr Nikhil Vasdev, Consultant Urological and Robotic Surgeon, and Mr Tim Lane, Consultant Urological and Robotic Surgeon

Fellowship duration: 12 months

Stated learning outcomes:

• Safe understanding of the equipment.
• Safe and independent Robotic surgeon ready for independent consultant practice.
• To be ready to become a national proctor.
• Ready for consultant Robotic urology posts.
• Understood and carried out robotic audit research and hopefully peer reviewed presentation and publication.

Clinical competencies to be achieved:

• Independent surgeon in RALP.
• Experience in Radical Robotic Cystectomy.
• Independent surgeon in Pyeloplasty.
• Independent surgeon in Robotic Nephrectomy.
• Experience in Robotic Partial Nephrectomy.

Number of main operations the fellow could expect to be involved in:

Ralps: 169 total

• Primary operator: 39
• Secondary: 95 with console time
• Assisting approx 40 (some crossover with secondary)

Partials

• 1 x primary (for off clamp AML)
• 11 x console/secondary
• 4 x assist

Nephrectomy

• 1 x  primary
• 2 x assist

Pyeloplasty

• 3 cases primary
• 1 cases secondary but with console time
• 3 cases secondary

Open and robotic cystectomy

• 25 over half of fellowship
• Approximately 10 as secondary (open rather than robotic)

Fellows awarded Fellowship Certificate (dates of Fellowship):

• Nikhil Vasdev (Sept 12 - Jul 14)
• Greg Shaw (Aug 14 - Jul 15)
• Bhavan Rai (Aug 15 - Jul 16)
• George Mirmilstein (Aug 16 - Aug 17)
• Ranjan Arianayagam (Mar 18 - Apr 19)
• Ashwin Tamhankar (Jun 19 – May 20)
• Jonathan Noël (Nov 19 - Jun 20)
  

Fellows' feedback

A summary of final feedback from the six most recent completing fellows providing full feedback:

1. Learning Outcomes

"I achieved all of the learning outcomes as specified in my learning agreement."

Strongly disagree |
Disagree |
Neither agree nor disagree |
Agree |  x  x  x
Strongly agree |  x  x  x

2. Service: Training Balance

Please indicate the balance between service and training in your clinical activities:

Mostly service |
More service than training |
About equal |
More training than service |  x  x
Mostly training |  x  x  x  x

3. Overall rating

How would you rate the Fellowship post overall, from 1-5? (1=very poor, 5=very good)

1
2
3
4
5  x  x  x  x  x  x

Would you recommend this post to a colleague?

Yes |  x  x  x  x  x  x
No |

Newcastle Robotic Urological Fellowship

Based at: Newcastle-upon-Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Surgical Specialty Association approving: BAUS

Approval period: October 2021 - September 2024

Supervisor / Lead Consultant: Mr Bhavan Rai, Consultant Urological Surgeon

Fellowship duration: 12 months

Stated learning outcomes:

• An understanding of the intuitive Robotic System
• Independent in Robotic Surgeon in Radical Prostatectomy (NHS standard)
• Experience in Robotic Assisted Radical Cystectomy, Robotic Assisted Partial Nephrectomy, Robotic Assisted Pyeloplasty, Robotic Assisted Nephro-ureterectomy
• Academia related to Robotic Surgery or uro-oncology

Clinical competencies to be achieved:

• Complete All Modules of Robotic Assisted Radical Prostatectomy
• Independent in Robotic Assisted Radical Prostatectomy
• Experience in Robotic Assisted Radical Cystectomy, Robotic Assisted Partial Nephrectomy, Robotic Assisted Pyeloplasty, Robotic Assisted Nephro-ureterectomy

Number of main operations the fellow could expect to be involved in:

• Robotic Assisted Radical Prostatectomy-110
• Independent in Robotic Assisted Radical Prostatectomy-20
• Robotic Assisted Radical Cystectomy-15-20
• Robotic Assisted Partial Nephrectomy-15-20
• Robotic Assisted Pyeloplasty-15-20
• Robotic Assisted Nephro-ureterectomy-15-20

Overall Robotic Cases ~ 180. This will be combination of bed side assisting , observation and console cases. We will discuss with the fellow about their individual needs with bedside assisting. We have a dedicated bed side assistant team in place with an established rota who will engage with fellow for any bed side assisting training needs. We anticipate this to be less than 10% of the time needed.

Over Console Cases ~ 110. This is total number of cases that we anticipate that the fellow will spend on the console

Primary Surgeon ~ 40. This is the number of cases we anticipate the fellow to be the first surgeon having done over 80% of the operation

St George's Urology Robotic Fellowship, London

Based at:St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London

Surgical Specialty Association approving: BAUS

Approval period: January 2019 - March 2022

Supervisor / Lead Consultant: Mr Christopher J Anderson, Director of Robotic Urology and Fellowship Training

Fellowship duration: 12 months

Stated learning outcomes:

• Pre-operative, Peri-operative and Post Operative care of Urological Robotic Cancer Cases.
• Competency by Modular training for Robotic Urology Surgery.
• Patient and Cancer outcomes during SURF by AUDIT.
• Trainee opinion on training and trainers to improve quality and trainee satisfaction of training.

Clinical competencies to be achieved:

• Competency in planning Urological Robotic Surgery, including the use of Radiology and Pathology.
• Competency in operative steps as defined by the Urological Robotic Surgery modular steps.

Number of main operations the fellow could expect to be involved in:

Caseload for the fellow in 1 year (50 weeks):

• Prostatectomy (n=65 supervised; 35 independent); Nephrectomy (n=35 supervised; 10 independent).
• Gaining experience in Partial Nephrectomy (n=40), Radical Cystectomy (n=50) and Pyeloplasty (n=20).
• All these competencies will be measured and certified by using validated assessments agreed by the training agreement.

Fellows awarded Fellowship Certificate (dates of Fellowship):

• Alarick Picardo (April 20 - April 21)

Uro-oncology Fellowships

Addenbrooke's Uro-oncology Fellowship, Cambridge

Based at: Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Trust

Surgical Specialty Association approving: BAUS

Approval period: January 2018 - March 2021

Supervisor / Lead Consultant: Mr Nimish Shah, Consultant Urologist, with Mr Benjamin Lamb, Consultant Urologist

Fellowship duration: 12 months

Clinical competencies to be achieved:

• Independent surgeon in robotic radical prostatectomy.
• Safe and effective preoperative management of patients undergoing robotic radical prostatectomy.
• Appropriate case selection of patients for robotic radical prostatectomy.
• Safe and effective follow-up of patients who have undergone robotic radical prostatectomy including management of complications.

Stated learning outcomes:

• Safe understanding of the equipment.
• Safe and independent robotic prostatectomy surgeon ready for independent consultant practice.
• Active involvement in robotic prostatectomy audit and research, hopefully resulting in peer-reviewed presentation and publication.

Number of main operations the fellow could expect to be involved in:

Supervisor (2017): 'The fellow will attend theatre on 3 days and be involved with 6 robotic prostatectomy cases per week. Over the course of the year they will be involved with >200 cases.'

Fellows awarded Fellowship Certificate (dates of Fellowship):

• Mohamed Abd Alazeez (Apr 18 - Apr 19)
• Saiful Miah (Apr 19 - Mar 20)
• Keval Patel (May - Dec 20)

Fellows' feedback

A summary of final feedback from the three most recent completing fellows providing full feedback

Learning Outcomes

'I achieved all of the learning outcomes as specified in my learning agreement'

Strongly disagree |
Disagree |
Neither agree nor disagree |
Agree |
Strongly agree |  x  x  x

Service: Training Balance

Please indicate the balance between service and training in your clinical activities:

Mostly service |
More service than training |
About equal |
More training than service |
Mostly training |  x  x  x

Overall rating

How would you rate the Fellowship post overall, from 1-5? (1=very poor, 5=very good)

1
2
3
4
5  x  x  x

Would you recommend this post to a colleague?

Yes |  x  x  x
No |

Frimley Park Renal Cancer Fellowship, Surrey

Based at: Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust

Surgical Specialty Association approving: BAUS

Approval period: January 2019 - March 2022

Supervisor / Lead Consultant: Mr Neil Barber, Consultant Urologist, Director, Frimley Renal Cancer Centre, with Mr Muddassar Hussain, Consultant Urological and Robotic Surgeon, and Mr Manar Malki, Consultant Urological & Robotic Surgeon

Fellowship duration: 12 months

Stated learning outcomes:

• To formulate appropriate management plans for patients with complex upper tract conditions.
• To independently perform advanced minimally invasive renal surgery.
• To lead and support a multidisciplinary team managing renal cancer.
• To teach junior team members the basics of renal surgery.

Clinical competencies to be achieved:

See operation numbers

Number of main operations the fellow could expect to be involved in:

• To independently perform robotic partial nephrectomy (total: 22-25).
• To independently perform laparoscopic nephrectomy and nephro-ureterectomy (total: 30).
• To perform robotic pyeloplasty and nephro-ureterectomy under minimal supervision (total: 10).

Fellows awarded Fellowship Certificate (dates of Fellowship):

• Manar Malki (Feb 18 - May 19)
• Matthew Crockett (Oct 19 - Oct 20)

Guy's Bladder Cancer Fellowship Programme

Based at: Guy's & St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust

Surgical Specialty Association approving: BAUS

Approval period: Initially approved August 2015; reapproved March 2019 - May 2022

Supervisor / Lead Consultant: Mr Ramesh Thurairaja, Consultant Urological Surgeon, with Mr Rajesh Nair, Consultant Urological Surgeon

Fellowship duration: 12 months

Stated learning outcomes:

• Comprehensive knowledge of management principles and rational decision making.
• Safe and independent dual accredited Open and Robotic surgeon ready for independent consultant practice.
• To be ready to become a national proctor.
• Ready for consultant bladder cancer urology posts.
• Understood and carried out open/robotic audit research and hopefully peer reviewed presentations and publications.

Clinical competencies to be achieved:

• Independent surgeon in open cystectomy.
• Independent surgeon in robotic cystectomy.
• Independent surgeon in urinary diversion.
• Experience in robotic urinary diversion.

Number of main operations the fellow could expect to be involved in:

Supervisor (2018): The fellow will certainly have exposure to approximately 80 cystectomy cases over a 12 month period with 60-70% of these cases being performed robotically (due to involvement with iROC trail reduction in percentage to 50-60%). In addition, there will also be opportunities to be involved with approximately 30 renal cancer cases and 20-25 exentoration cases over the 12 month period. We expect approximately 15-20 done cases independently at Level 4."

Fellows awarded Fellowship Certificate (dates of Fellowship):

• Rajesh Nair (Oct 15 - Jul 16)
• Brian Parsons (Sept 16 - Aug 17)
• Tan Teck Wei (Oct 17 - Oct 18)
• Ella Doerge (Sept 19 - Sept 20)
• Sonpreet Rai (Oct 20 - Oct 21)

Fellows' feedback

A summary of final feedback from the five most recent completing fellows providing full feedback:

1. Learning outcomes

"I achieved all of the learning outcomes as specified in my learning agreement."

Strongly disagree |
Disagree |
Neither agree nor disagree |
Agree |  x  x
Strongly agree |  x  x  x

2. Service: Training balance

Please indicate the balance between service and training in your clinical activities:

Mostly service |
More service than training |
About equal |  x  x
More training than service |  x
Mostly training |  x  x

3. Overall rating

How would you rate the Fellowship post overall, from 1-5? (1=very poor, 5=very good)

1
2
3
4  x
5  x  x  x  x

Would you recommend this post to a colleague?

Yes |  x  x  x  x  x
No |

Leeds Robotic Pelvic Uro-oncology Fellowship

Based at: Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Surgical Specialty Association approving: BAUS

Approval period: Initially approved September 2014; reapproved March 2019 - May 2022

Supervisor / Lead Consultant: Mr Sunjay Jain, Consultant Urologist, with Mr Sanjeev Kotwal, Consultant Urological Surgeon

Fellowship duration: 12 months

Stated learning outcomes:

• Able to perform/assist in minimum of 50 robotic radical prostatectomy, 25 robotic / open cystectomy, 10 nephro-ureterectomy and 5 retroperitoneal node dissection cases.
• Presentations at national and/or international meetings and peer-reviewed publications.

Clinical competencies to be achieved:

• The fellow should be able to perform open radical cystectomy and robotic radical prostatectomy independently (Level - 4 competence).
• The fellow should be able to provide comprehensive care to uro-oncology patients in a multi-disciplinary setting.

Number of main operations the fellow could expect to be involved in:

Supervisor (2018): These figures are for procedures the trainee will perform independently. They will also perform major parts of other procedures such as Robotic cystectomy, RPLND and open radical nephrectomy:

• Robotic Prostatectomy 25
• Open Cystectomy 15
• Nephroureterectomy 5

Fellows awarded Fellowship Certificate (dates of Fellowship):

• Vishwanath Hanchanale (Aug 15 - Mar 16)
• Deligiannis Dimitrios (Jun 17 - May 18)
• Marcelino Yazbek Hanna (Aug 19 - Jan 21)

Fellows' feedback

A summary of final feedback from the four most recent completing fellows providing full feedback:

1. Learning Outcomes

"I achieved all of the learning outcomes as specified in my learning agreement."

Strongly disagree |
Disagree |
Neither agree nor disagree |  x
Agree |  x  x
Strongly agree |  x

2. Service: Training Balance

Please indicate the balance between service and training in your clinical activities:

Mostly service |
More service than training |
About equal |  x
More training than service |  x  x  x
Mostly training |

3. Overall rating

How would you rate the Fellowship post overall, from 1-5? (1=very poor, 5=very good)

1
2
3
4  x
5  x  x  x

Would you recommend this post to a colleague?

Yes |  x  x  x  x
No |

Royal Free Renal Cancer Fellowship, London

Based at: Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust

Surgical Specialty Association approving: BAUS

Approval period: First approved July 2018; reapproved August 2021 - July 2024

Supervisor / Lead Consultant: Mr Faiz Mumtaz, Consultant Urological Surgeon, with Prof Axel Bex, Consultant Urological Surgeon, and Clinical Lead, specialist centre for kidney cancer, Royal Free Hospital

Fellowship duration: 12 months

Stated learning outcomes:

• Comprehensive knowledge of management principles and rational decision making in renal cancer.
• Safe and independent dual accredited Open and Robotic/laparoscopic surgeon ready for independent consultant practice.
• Able to manage all aspects of both benign and malignant disease spectrum relating to upper urinary tract.
• Able to manage acute renal oncological emergencies.
• Understood and carried out audit of open/robotic surgery.
• Recognise future directions of research relating to renal cancer.
• Ready for consultant upper urinary tract urology posts.
• Presentations at national and internationally.
• Publish in peer reviewed journals.
• Exposure to various aspects of very complex upper tract surgery.

Clinical competencies to be achieved:

See operation numbers

Number of main operations the fellow could expect to be involved in:

• Independent surgeon in open (25), laparoscopic (25) and robotic nephrectomy (25).
• Independent surgeon in open (25) and robotic partial nephrectomy (30).
• Independent surgeon in robotic nephrouretectomy (20).
• Independent surgeon in robotic pyeloplasty (15).

Fellows awarded Fellowship Certificate (dates of Fellowship):

• Aziz Gulamhusein (Sept 18 - Sept 19)
• Nicholas Campain (Oct 20 - Oct 21)

RCS Senior Clinical Fellowships in Urology

The gallery below provides provides information about Urology fellows under the Scheme.

Sonpreet Rai

Guy's Bladder Cancer Fellowship, Guy's & St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, October 2020 - October 2021

Current post (December 2021): Consultant Urologist and Robotic Surgeon, Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

"The Guy's Robotic Urology fellowship offered me the opportunity to receive training and mentorship from internationally recognised leaders in their field. Guy's Urology hosts the highest number of robotic systems in a single centre in the UK with the latest dual console Intuitive Da Vinci Xi system and the CMR Versius platform, accompanied by highly skilled and experienced surgical first assistants. The fellowship offered training in Pan-Urothelial and Renal cancer in a highly structured and tailored modular programme. The volume, intensity and breadth of subspecialty practice on offer is phenomenal. Robotic procedures performed include cystectomy and intracorporeal diversion, nephroureterectomy, partial/radical nephrectomy, pyeloplasty, complex ureteric and bladder reconstruction and complex open renal and pelvic surgery including exenteration. There is ample time provided for research and audit activities. Highlights for me include an AUA video presentation, a series of international webinars on pan-urothelial disease, along with several book chapters. This post-CCT fellowship has been the perfect finishing school for independent practice as a Consultant Urologist and Robotic Surgeon and will allow me to provide high quality care to my patients. I will be forever grateful for the skills, experiences and relationships fostered through my fellowship."

Arjun Nambiar

Newcastle Female and Functional Urology Fellowship, Newcastle-upon-Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, December 2020 - October 2021

Current post (December 2021): Consultant Urologist, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle-upon-Tyne

"This fellowship provides the breadth and depth of training required to hit the ground running as a consultant urologist sub-specialising in functional and reconstructive urology. As an ST7 trainee I felt I was probably ready to start a consultant job, but maybe slightly apprehensive and not quite ready to take on the complex sub-specialty work. After the fellowship I knew was ready and raring to go! That is the difference it can make. Despite my fellowship being in the middle of the COVID pandemic, I was able to achieve the required competencies, as well as gaining a wealth of experience in robotic urology, which has provided transferable skills that can be used to help patients with benign disorders requiring urological reconstruction – something very few centres in the UK are currently able to offer. The training is always hands-on, and the time-table is heavily weighted towards operative experience, while still including opportunities to improve out-patient management skills of patients with recurrent UTIs, incontinence and complex reconstructive needs. The monthly MDT is an excellent learning forum where complex cases are discussed, and the fellowship ensures exposure to mesh removal surgery as one of the few nationally accredited centres for this procedure. There is also ample opportunity to be involved in academic and research activity, which the unit has a good track record in. Most fellowships can only be as good as the mentors and supervisors running it, and in this regard Newcastle has the best around in Chris Harding, Vicki Lavin and Trevor Dorkin, so any future fellows will not be disappointed! The RCS accreditation also means there is a level of quality assurance and support that you can rely on"

Jonathan Noël

Lister Urological Robotic Fellowship, East & North Hertfordshire NHS Trust, November 2019 - September 2020

Current post (from April 2022): Locum Consultant Urologist and Robotic Surgeon, Guy's & St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust

"The Lister Robotic Fellowship offers an intensive and highly structured training program. The unit ranks amongst the highest volume centres in the United Kingdom. The tutorship provided is a triple combination (Mr Adshead, Mr Lane & Mr Vasdev) of vast experience in radical prostatectomy, cystectomy with intracorporeal diversion, partial nephrectomy and pyeloplasty. Robotic interfaces develop rapidly, and this strong foundation in multi-port platforms prepared me well for my current single-port experience. My lasting achievement is not only competence in the above, but the clinical guidance and confidence my patients and my trainees will now receive, thanks to world-leading units on both sides of the Atlantic."

Bianca Barea

Newcastle Female and Functional Urology Fellowship, The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, March - December 2020

Current post (February 2021): Locum Consultant Urology, Tallaght Hospital, Dublin, Ireland

"This post-CCT Fellowship provided me with excellent experience treating patients with complex female and functional urological problems. I gained invaluable operative experience in one of the leading centres for this speciality in the UK. The teaching provided was exceptional, fully hands-on and interactive. Having completed this Fellowship, I feel it helped me enormously in my transition to becoming a consultant urologist. Freeman Hospital has a high volume of patients and daily operations. Throughout the Fellowship I gained practical experience operating through expert guidance and assistance. Accordingly, by the end of my Fellowship I felt confident to independently perform a wide variety of procedures. The level of collegiality I encountered in the Freeman Hospital provided the perfect learning environment to develop skills in this particular speciality. I will forever be grateful for the skills and experience I have gained by virtue of taking part in this Fellowship."

Matthew Crockett

Frimley Park Renal Cancer Fellowship, Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust, October 2019 - October 2020

Current post (February 2021): Consultant Urologist, Basingstoke & North Hampshire Hospital

"Frimley Hospital has an excellent reputation in the UK and the team at the Frimley Renal Cancer Centre supported me through a difficult year affected by the pandemic. This high volume centre allowed me to rapidly improve my skills in all upper tract operations, particularly robotic partial nephrectomy and introduced me to the retroperitoneal approach. I am now independent, and confident, in all upper tract operations. Thank you to everyone involved."

Manar Malki

Frimley Park Renal Cancer Fellowship, Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust, February 2018 - May 2019

Current post (December 2020): Consultant Urological & Robotic Surgeon, Frimley Park Hospital, Camberley

"The fellowship provides an unparalleled opportunity to learn and develop robotic and laparoscopic operative skills in managing malignant and benign upper urinary tract diseases. At Frimley Park Hospital, more than 90% of renal cases are performed via the retroperitoneal approach. Fellows contribute actively in a dedicated weekly regional renal cancer SMDT. The combination of high volume of cases (>300 renal cases / year) and at least 3 operating days a week offers the fellow a unique surgical experience. Fellows are encouraged to be actively involved in research, audit and teaching. During my fellowship period, I independently performed more 75 RAPNs and 55 Robotic / Laparoscopic radical nephrectomy and nephroureterectomy. I presented renal cancer work at AUA and published on retroperitoneal RAPN. The fellowship offered me a fantastic transition time, resulting in clinical maturity and acquisition of super-speciality surgical skills."

Ashwin Sunil Tamhankar

Lister Urological Robotic Fellowship, Hertfordshire and South Bedfordshire Urological Cancer Centre, East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust, June 2019 to May 2020

Current post (September 2020): Consultant Urooncologist and Robotic Surgeon, Department of Surgical Oncology, Apollo Hospitals, Navi Mumbai, India

"This fellowship gave me an in depth experience on clinical and surgical fronts. It boosted my confidence for the robotic procedures in urology. At the end of this structured program, I can be a safe and independent robotic surgeon for urology practice as a consultant. Most important would be to have professional maturity, which I can really say is the most valuable thing which I got out of this particular fellowship. I had an adequate exposure to robotic prostatectomies, pyeloplasties, robotic cystectomies, intracorporeal diversion and partial nephrectomies. I am really grateful to my mentors, Mr Nikhil Vasdev, Mr Jim Adshead and Mr Tim Lane, for training me in robotic surgery and, most importantly, making me understand the nuances to build a good robotic urology program for my future endeavours. I am really proud to take this forward as a consultant in India for the benefit of my patients. The Robotic Urology fellowship at the Lister Hospital is a good learning opportunity for the trainees who want to sub-specialise in the field of robotic urology and urooncology."

Saiful Miah

Addenbrooke's Uro-oncology Fellowship, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, April 2019 - April 2020

Current post (June 2020): Consultant Urological and Robotic Surgeon, Buckinghamshire NHS Healthcare Trust and Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

'The urology department at Addenbrooke's hospital was one of the early adopters and pioneers of robotic surgery in the UK. Their robotic prostatectomy fellowship is a comprehensive, high volume and holistic one-year training programme which prepares you for all aspects of consultant life. The combination of a high-volume operating (3 days a week) and modular training is ideal for those wanting to pursue a career in robotic urological surgery. I was involved as the operating surgeon in more than 130 robotic prostatectomy cases. There is invaluable support from surgical care practitioners who have collectively been involved in over 2000 cases themselves. Addenbrooke's Hospital is world-renowned for its cutting edge academic output. This ethos is very much maintained in the urological department with ample opportunity to be involved in research and audit. The fellowship also offers excellent social opportunities including department BBQs, trips to premiership football games (Arsenal) and participation in various intra-mural sports which is aided by the onsite leisure centre. I now consider the consultant supervisors of this fellowship as lifetime friends and colleagues who I will collaborate with and seek advice from in my future practice.'

Aziz Gulamhusein

Royal Free Renal Cancer Fellowship, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, September 2018 to September 2019

Current post (April 2020): Consultant Urological and Robotic Surgeon, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester

"I was fortunate to undertake this RCS UK renal cancer fellowship at The Specialist Centre for Kidney Cancer, Royal Free Hospital. This is the highest volume centre in Europe with more than 400 cases a year with a dedicated da Vinci Xi robotic platform with dual console and surgical first assistants. The case mix primarily includes robotic radical and partial nephrectomy, robotic nephroureterectomy, robotic pyeloplasty and complex open renal surgery including IVC thrombectomy. There is also opportunity to be involved with open and robotic renal transplantation. During my fellowship period I was first surgeon in more than 100 robotic cases and 20 open cases. The fellowship has a strong academic aspect with an expectation to participate in research and teaching. I co-led on a feasibility study, presented work at the EAU Robotic Urology Section, supervised BSC students and have manuscripts awaiting publication. Most importantly, the renal team is close-knit, extremely supportive and fun to work with and as such I have made lifelong friends and colleagues. I would highly recommend this fellowship. It has certainly eased my transition from trainee to consultant and given me robotic skills that I aim to apply to complex retroperitoneal surgery in my current consultant post."

Atakelet Assefa Ferede

Dublin Beaumont Kidney Transplantation Fellowship, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, July 2018 - July 2019

Current post (October 2019): Consultant Surgeon in Kidney Transplantation, National Kidney Transplant Service (NKTS), Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland

"The National Kidney Transplant Service (NKTS) at Beaumont Hospital provides an excellent opportunity to fellows and other trainees for high-quality training in all aspects of kidney transplantation, including organ procurement (DBD, DCD, live donors), recipient surgery (deceased donor and live donor recipients), patient assessment, post-transplant management and team work. Through the Fellowship, I have gained knowledge and skills that enable me to be a confident and independent transplant surgeon. There were plenty of opportunities for academic and research activities which I fully benefited from, and I presented my research abstracts at the American Urological Association (AUA) annual congress in Chicago, the European Society for Organ Transplantation (ESOT) annual congress in Copenhagen, and the Irish Society of Urology (ISU) annual meeting in Ireland. Beaumont Hospital kidney transplant centre has an excellent multidisciplinary approach to patient care and demonstrates high regard to its staff and trainees. I was fully satisfied with the training and support I received and I am particularly grateful to the programme director, Ms Dilly Little, for her encouragement and continued support."

Mohamed Abd Alazeez

Addenbrooke's Uro-oncology Fellowship, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, April 2018 - April 2019

Current post (July 2019): Locum Consultant Urologist and Robotic Surgeon, Southend University Hospital and Broomfield Hospital

'The robotic prostatectomy Fellowship at Addenbrooke's Hospital was one of the best years of my urological training. The opportunity to attend three full-day robotic operating lists and a robotic prostatectomy clinic on weekly basis put me on target to achieve competency. Through a modular approach, I performed every step of the procedure numerous times. Furthermore, by the end of my Fellowship, I had performed 20 complete robotic prostatectomy cases, skin to skin and was able to operate independently. I have carried this forward to my new job as a Consultant and am able to provide high-quality care to my patients.'

Tan Teck Wei

The Guy's Bladder Cancer Fellowship Programme, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, October 2017 - October 2018

Current post (January 2019): Consultant Urologist, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore

'The Fellowship gave me the opportunity to learn from some of the best surgeons in the world and developed my ability to  comprehensively manage patients with bladder cancer. I had minimal console experience on the robot prior to starting the Fellowship, but after an initial period of observation and as the bedside assistant, I was put through a modular training programme to allow me to climb my learning curve progressively. Under the mentorship of Prof. Shamim Khan, Mr Ramesh Thurairaja and Mr Rajesh Nair, who are all accomplished surgeons and excellent trainers, and thanks to the high volume of cases, I was able to perform the whole procedure independently by about nine months into the Fellowship. As Guy's Hospital is one of the participating sites in the iROC (intracorporeal robotic vs open cystectomy) phase III multicentre randomised trial, I also had plenty of hands-on training with open cystectomy from patients randomised to the open arm of the trial.'

'In addition to training in both robotic and open cystectomy, I also benefited from learning about how to optimise cystectomy outcomes, thanks to an amazing multidisciplinary approach at Guy's, including the POPS (Proactive care of older people going to have surgery) service, pre-op Enhanced Recovery clinic, dedicated anaesthetists assigned to the cystectomy theatres, and Enhanced Recovery Pathway for cystectomy patients. Ample time is also provided for research and audit activities during the Fellowship, and I had the opportunity to present at international conferences, as well as publish in peer-reviewed journals. The location of the hospital right in the heart of central London provided me with the chance to experience and fall in love with this amazing city. Life outside of work is never dull with so much to explore, from world-class museums and theatres to delicious food from all over the world. I have since returned back to a Consultant post in Singapore and the Fellowship experience has allowed me to improve the quality of surgical as well as peri-operative care for my patients with urological cancers.'

Andrew Harris

Newcastle Female and Functional Urology Fellowship, Newcastle-upon-Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, September 2016 - September 2017

Current post (January 2019): Consultant Urologist

"The Newcastle Fellowship provides superb experience for urologists with an interest in female, functional and reconstructive urology. I was able to gain extensive operative exposure to treatments for neuropathic and idiopathic detrusor overactivity including; sacral neuromodulation, bladder augmentation and urinary diversion. I also obtained an excellent operative experience of male and female stress incontinence. I had supervised advanced diagnostics with the use of video-urodynamics on a weekly basis. A friendly and close working relationship with the uro-gynaecology team and regular MDT meetings provided insight to complex cases and also exposure to surgical procedures less commonly done by urologists, such as the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse. The urology department in Newcastle is extremely research-active and involvement in large scale multi-centre research trials, as well as local research and audit projects, is possible and encouraged. There is also scope and support to publish on relevant topics in urology throughout the Fellowship. Attentive and enthusiastic guidance and supervision was provided throughout by the excellent trainers. The department itself is extremely friendly and welcoming, mirroring the city of Newcastle itself which lives up to its highly hospitable reputation. It is a great city to live in with superb restaurants and bars and easy access to the Northumbrian coast and national park. Overall the experience has provided invaluable operative and decision making skills in order to make the transition to independent consultant practice."

Dimitrios Deligiannis

Leeds Pelvic Uro-Oncology Fellowship, St James's University Hospital, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, June 2017 - June 2018

Current post (October 2018): Post-CCT Fellow at St James's University Hospital, Leeds

"I managed to achieve excellent progress during my Fellowship in Leeds, in terms of developing my clinical knowledge, outpatient management and surgical skills. My clinical knowledge and appreciation of the latest clinical evidence was demonstrated in the 2018 EAU Annual Congress in Copenhagen where I won 1st prize for knowledge of the EAU Guidelines. I am now able to perform independently a robotic radical prostatectomy and an open radical cystectomy. I also had the opportunity to participate in more than 30 robotic cystectomies and I have performed a few without assistance (excluding the conduit). I will soon return to Greece to the Naval and Veterans Hospital of Athens, as a consultant and I will be able to provide open and robotic pelvic surgery and high quality care for our patients and also the Greek population. I would not have managed this without the excellent training from my mentors in Leeds.''

Catalin Constandache

Kidney Transplantation Fellowship, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, July 2017 - July 2018

Current post (October 2018): Consultant Urologist, Arcadia Private Hospital, Iasi, Romania

"The Kidney Transplantation Fellowship at Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland, is a great opportunity for Urologists and other surgical specialties with interest in solid organ transplantation. I undertook this Fellowship for one year, but this was enough for the excellent surgical team at Beaumont Hospital to train me in all aspects of renal transplantation: live donor nephrectomies pure laparoscopic and hand-assisted, renal transplantation, retrievals from both DBD and DCD, alone and in conjunction with the retrieval abdominal team. I was impressed by the organisation of the entire department and by everyone's involvement in the process of renal transplantation. The training left me at the end of the year with enough knowledge and surgical skills to work independently as a Transplant Surgeon. I highly recommend this programme at Beaumont Hospital, Dublin."

Brian Parsons

The Guy's Bladder Cancer Fellowship Programme, Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital, London, September 2016 – June 2017

Current post (June 2017): Consultant Urological and Robotic Surgeon, Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, Exeter

"The Guy's Fellowship was an extraordinary learning experience and I cannot recommend it highly enough. Guy's Hospital is a high volume pelvic cancer centre offering a structured robotic training programme with console experience from the outset. Theatre lists are set up to provide ample time for training, allowing Fellows to rapidly develop operative skills. Mr Thurairaja and Professor Khan are excellent trainers – close supervision is provided during the initial stages and Fellows progress rapidly as advice and guidance is given without them taking over.

The Fellowship also provides open surgical experience, including cystectomies, complex reconstructive procedures and pelvic exenterations. A significant proportion of the patients are high risk and surgically challenging, so operative skills and peri-operative patient care are optimised. A dedicated weekly bladder cancer MDT ensures that patient management and decision-making skills are developed concurrently with surgical technique.

There are ample opportunities for research and teaching with weekly educational meetings attended by all consultants, trainees and fellows. Time is provided in the Fellow's work schedule to gain expertise in other subspecialties, and during my time at Guys I also gained experience in andrology and open and robotic upper tract surgery. Living in the centre of London was an equally amazing experience and during my time there I have fostered great friendships with my colleagues and mentors. This Fellowship has allowed me to make a seamless transition into an NHS consultant post offering open and robotic pelvic surgery. This would not have been possible without the excellent training I received."

George Mirmilstein

Lister Urological Robotic Fellowship, Hertfordshire and South Bedfordshire Urological Cancer Centre, August 2016 - August 2017

Current (November 2017) post: Consultant Urological and Robotic Surgeon, Geelong, Australia

"The robotic urology Fellowship at Lister has allowed me to gain all the necessary skills to become an independent robotic surgeon. There was very large exposure to Robotic Radical Prostatectomy, Robotic Partial Nephrectomy, Robotic Pyeloplasty and Robotic Nephrectomy. The skills and procedures I became proficient in were an invaluable adjunct to my training in Australia, and I am very grateful to be taking these back to improve the management of my patients. In addition to the vast operating experience the Fellowship offered ample opportunities for research and teaching. As a bonus, there was plenty of time during this year for my family and I to travel around the UK and Europe. However, most importantly, I managed to foster long-lasting relationships with my colleagues and mentors."

Bhavan Rai

Lister Urological Robotic Fellowship, Hertfordshire and South Bedfordshire Urological Cancer Centre, August 2015 - August 2016

Current (May 2021) post: Consultant Urologist and Robotic Surgeon, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle

"The Fellowship offers a structured training programme in robotic pelvic and upper tract surgery. Having observed and been part of robotic training programmes in USA and Europe, I can vouch for the unparalleled high quality training the Lister Fellowship has to offer. This experience has transformed me from a novice to a highly skilled robotic surgeon with international standards. Early console experience is encouraged. I have personally performed over 100 robotic cases as primary surgeon during the Fellowship. Additionally the Fellowship encourages high quality academic activity and also practices novel surgical strategies such as at the Neurosafe technique.The fellowship has facilitated my smooth transitioning to NHS consultancy and I now provide a high quality robotic service to our patient population at the South Tees.Finally I would like to cherish the many friendships that I have developed with a very affable group of people at the Lister hospital."

Greg Shaw

Lister Urological Robotic Fellowship, Hertfordshire and South Bedfordshire Urological Cancer Centre, August 2014 - July 2015

Current post: Consultant Urologist and Robotic Surgeon, University College London Hospital

"Through this fellowship I was able to take responsibility for all elements of a patients care with help and guidance available when needed. In this way I was able to transition from working under supervision to providing high quality care for my patients as their consultant."

Nikhil Vasdev

Lister Urological Robotic Fellowship, Hertfordshire and South Bedfordshire Urological Cancer Centre, August 2012 - July 2014

Current post (October 2020): Consultant Urological and Robotic Surgeon, Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire Urological Cancer Centre

No longer approved Fellowship programmes

The BAPU Paediatric Urology Fellowship programme did not wish to apply for reapproval after the end of its initial approval period. The Fellows on this programme who were awarded a Fellowship Certificate are: Tamas Cserni (Jun 12 - Jun 14); Paul Jackson (Oct 13 - Oct 15)

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Source: https://www.rcseng.ac.uk/education-and-exams/accreditation/rcs-senior-clinical-fellowship-scheme/national-surgical-fellowship-scheme-register/urology/