London Specialty School of Obstetrics and Gynaecology

We aim to provide the most comprehensive and advanced training in obstetrics and gynaecology for postgraduate doctors in the UK. Based on their research and dedication to the challenging standards of the specialty, consultants trained at the London School will be committed to giving the highest quality of care throughout their careers.

Why choose this school?

Our school provides postgraduate medical training in obstetrics and gynaecology with balanced rotations through some of the best hospitals in the UK. These include eight major University hospitals and 21 busy district general hospitals. All rotations deliver the Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology curriculum to a high standard.

Opportunities exist for training in all subspecialties at basic, intermediate, advanced and subspecialist level across London. Training is linked with KSS Deanery.

Trainees can undertake high-quality research through the eight academic clinical fellow and three lecturer posts. We offer subspecialty training in all subspecialties and the full range of advanced specialist training modules (ASTMs) in the higher years. The school runs half and full day training programmes for all levels across the region. We organise annual trainee conferences with competitive entry for posters and presentations by keynote speakers drawn from internationally recognised experts across London.

The diversity of London’s population ensures that every trainee has the opportunity to treat all clinical conditions included in the curriculum, providing the richest and most rewarding training experience in the UK.

Who is the head?

Disclaimer The views expressed in these clips are individual perspectives and were correct at the time of filming. They should be understood as personal opinions. All information regarding the recruitment process and trainee pathway were correct at the time of filming. The Deanery either owns all images included or has been kindly granted permission for use.

Diana Hamilton-Fairley is the head of the London / KSS Specialty School of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Diana’s area of special interest is reproductive medicine and postgraduate medical education. In 1996 she was appointed as a consultant to Guys and St. Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust with dedicated time for medical education.

Diana also developed the first post Calman regional training programme as college tutor and regional training programme director for South East Thames. She went on to merge the south east and south west training programmes - a model which persists today. She was formerly deputy director of medical education at Guys and St. Thomas’ and is currently deputy medical director.

Our programmes

Our programmes are based on rotations through the main teaching hospitals of London. In south London the rotations extend across into Kent Surrey and Sussex, allowing trainees to provide care to a range of communities.

All our programmes offer high quality core training in the first two years. In years two to five the web based learning tool StratOG forms the foundation of the curriculum delivery. Progress to ST3 requires the MRCOG Part 1 and completion of core skills including decision making, leadership and team working. Progression is based on appraisal and assessment processes with matching schemes that promote the educational needs of the individual but also reward excellence, hard work and commitment to the specialty.

At years six and seven assignment of the ASTMs is by competitive interview and workforce requirements. Subspecialty training is awarded through open competition across the UK and EU.

Find out more

To find out more about training in obstetrics and gynaecology, visit the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.