Training rotations
Training occurs at Cambridge University Hospital, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, Southend University Hospital, Colchester Hospital and Ipswich Hospital, Mount Vernon Hospital. Queen Elizabeth Kings Lynn and Peterborough City hospital.
Together, the centres offer the latest in radiotherapy techniques, with three dimensional treatment planning, intensity modulated image guided radiotherapy, stereotactic radiotherapy and brachytherapy, as well as a broad experience of systemic therapy for common and rare solid tumours.
Historically Trainees have typically rotated to up to three centres within the region during their training, with the deanery split into the following axes for convenience:
- Northern axis: Cambridge University Hospital, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, Ipswich Hospital
- Southern axis: Cambridge University Hospital, Southend University Hospital, Colchester Hospital
- Western axis: Cambridge University Hospital, Mount Vernon Hospital
- Peterbough/Kings Lynn axis: Cambridge University Hospital Peterborough City Hospital or Queen Elizabeth Kings Lynn
However we understand that rotational training is often a negative factor in maintaining quality of life and training and impacts adversely on work life balance. In order to address this we have reduced all of our rotations to a maximum of 2 centres going forward from 2024. These are shown below. Each rotation will include a period of at least 12 months at Cambridge University Hospital to cover specialty sites and for some smaller centres the CUH period will be longer (up to 48 months). There will be a period of overlap with the older axis system and as such there will need to be some flexibility with rotations and timing of rotations. However this will all be negotiated and discussed well in advance of planned rotations. As has always been the case in the East of England we will endeavour to maintain some flexibility to accommodate trainee requests due to changes in circumstances.
About our centres
Cambridge
Welcome to Training at Cambridge University Hospitals!
Addenbrookes Hospital is a 1000 bed hospital providing, medical surgical and maternity services for the local area and is a tertiary provider for many specialties including Clinical Oncology for the East of England. We are a biomedical research campus which is continuing to expand.
Our oncology department offers all systemic therapies, external beam radiotherapy including stereotactic radiotherapy, brachytherapy and has a very active clinical trial portfolio. Despite the size of our department it is friendly and supportive and we look forward to you joining our team.
We host Doctors from ST3 to CCT and can deliver all aspects of the Clinical Oncology curriculum. Placements are tailored to meet individual training requirements. We work closely with Medical Oncology and deliver a shared weekly education program which is accessible remotely to all trainees across the region. We have a regular Tuesday morning academic session including audit, governance, radiotherapy research, journal club and basic science meetings. All trainees have the opportunity to complete projects and are supported to publish or present them, Trainees are encouraged and supported to take time out of training to pursue research or clinical opportunities. Most of our posts are based solely at Cambridge but a few may involve outside clinics at centres such as Kings Lynn.
Our trainees participate in a shared non resident on call rota with medical oncology (currently 1:20 pattern) delivering acute oncology and inpatient care via our dedicated cancer assessment unit and ward.
We host a free annual Christmas meal to maintain links for all the trainees across the region:
Meet our trainers
Dr Deborah Gregory - training program director - deborah.gregory8@nhs.net
Dr Raj Jena - academic lead and educational supervisor - rjena@nhs.net
Peterborough City Hospital - a trainee perspective
I’ve enjoyed living in the East of England for many years and had no wish to move away for specialist training. It is an exciting place to live and work, with highlights including the historic and vibrant city of Cambridge (with an ever-increasing choice of bars, theatres and restaurants), the beautiful Norfolk coast, and the Suffolk countryside (where personal favourite activities include mountain biking in Thetford Forest or swimming in the river at Dedham Vale!). It is also well-connected to London via rail, which is particularly useful for attending the ICR Oncology MSc course on alternate Fridays.
Peterborough City Hospital has been a great place to start my specialist training. It is a small and friendly unit, which provides exposure to a broad range of common tumour types including prostate, lung, colorectal and gastro-oesophageal, among others. It has a dedicated inpatient ward, a day unit, a radiotherapy department, an acute oncology service and outpatient clinics, all of which I spend time in during an average week. Everyone I’ve met has been supportive and welcoming, and I would highly recommend Peterborough as a place to train.
Queen Elizabeth Hospital King’s Lynn (QEHKL) and Addenbrooke’s Hospital Post
The department of oncology at the QEHKL is a small, friendly, supportive team 4 clinical oncologists, 1 medical oncologist and 1 specialist medical oncologist supported by 1 clinical oncology trainee (this role), 1 speciality doctor, 1 medical oncology and 1 foundation programme trainees. There is a chemo unit on-site and a 12-bedded oncology/haematology ward in a purpose-built building. There is a well-established CNS-led acute oncology service. Oncology centre at the Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge is our regional major cancer centre with national and international reputation for delivering excellent clinical care and known for academic excellence and is based at one of the largest biomedical research campuses.
- This programme is usually for 6-12 months and will be suitable for both junior and senior trainees and this role will be tailored according their training needs (Eg attending MSc Oncology/FRCR course, acting-up as consultant)
- You will be part of the oncology team at the QEHKL, spending one day at Addenbrooke’s for radiotherapy planning and radiotherapy review clinic
- Currently there is no on-call commitment attached to this post but can be explored for interested trainees
- You will gain experience in managing lung, urology, UGI and oligo-metastatic cancers
- You will attend site specific MDTs and will be encouraged to see new patient referrals and initiate treatment plans in discussion with consultant colleagues
- You will gain experience in wide ranging radiotherapy techniques, from simple field-based palliative radiotherapy planning to the state-of-the art stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy
- You will attend lung/UGI and SABR radiotherapy planning meetings
- You will contribute to weekly radiology meeting where you consolidate your knowledge in interpreting cross-sectional imaging
- You will attend weekly palliative care meeting and work very closely with palliative care team and learn to provide holistic care
- You will be an integral part of the AOS team and gain experience in wide-ranging oncological issues and will be well supported by consultant oncology colleagues and specialist nurses
- You will attend weekly SpR teaching sessions and regular regional training days
- There is portfolio of clinical trials and you will be encouraged and supported to actively contribute to these studies. There is opportunity to enrol into the NIHR associate principle investigator scheme to develop skills in clinical research
- We have a track record of developing and delivering various projects, and output of these projects have been presented at international and national meetings
- Interested and motivated trainees will be encouraged and supported to involve in ongoing projects and will be supported to develop their own projects, enabling them to be competitive in their future fellowship applications
- You will have opportunity to interact with academics based on the wider Cambridge biomedical campus which will provide more opportunities for involving in research projects and develop links for future collaborations
Specialty Training Committee contacts
Training Programme Directors
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deborah.gregory8@nhs.net | Training program director and specialty training committee chair |
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rjena@nhs.net | Academic training program director |
Royal College Tutors and Educational Supervisors
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f.harris@nhs.net | Cambridge University Hospital |
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kate.fife@nhs.net | Cambridge University Hospital |
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charlotte.ingle@colchesterhospital.nhs.uk | Colchester Hospital |
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ramachandran.venkitaraman@esneft.nhs.uk | Ipswich Hospital |
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nthanvi@nhs.net | Mount Vernon Hospital |
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helen.swannie@nnuh.nhs.uk | Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital |
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george.sioftanos@southend.nhs.uk | Southend University Hospital |
Other members
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dinos.geropantas@nnuh.nhs.uk | Regional Specialty Advisor |
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Rebecca.Brooks@nnuh.nhs.uk | Trainee Representative |
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james.edwards@nnuh.nhs.uk | Head of School of Medicine |
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recruitment.eoe@hee.nhs.uk | Recruitment Manager |