Job summary
Recruiting Sir Hugh Cairns Complex Spinal Surgery FellowThe Royal London Hospital, WhitechapelStart Date: 2026 or 2027 (flexible)Salary: The salary is based on your nodal point on the MN37 payscale. The banding for this job is currently 50%.We are recruiting for both 2026 and/or 2027 fellowships.
WeCare about excellenceBarts Health NHS Trust is offering an outstanding Senior Complex Spinal Surgery Fellowship -- the Sir Hugh Cairns Fellowship -- approved by the Royal College of Surgeons. This unique 12-month post provides in-depth experience across both neurosurgical and orthopaedic spinal disciplines, working with a team of internationally recognised spinal surgeons at one of Europe's busiest Major Trauma Centres.You'll join a world-class spinal service managing trauma, metastatic spinal cord compression, complex infection, and acute degenerative conditions. With 18 Complex Spine and Neurosurgery consultants, 50 dedicated neurosurgical beds, state-of-the-art theatres, and close links to the London Air Ambulance, this is an opportunity to advance your surgical, academic, and leadership skills in a high-volume, high-acuity setting.
Main duties of the job
What you'll gain:o Operative exposure across the full spectrum of complex spinal surgery.o Active participation in weekly Complex Spine MDTs and monthly M&M meetings.o Protected time for teaching, audit, and service improvement.o Mentorship to strengthen your portfolio for consultant applications (CCT/CESR support).
What we're looking for:o GMC registration with licence to practise.o MBBS or equivalent, MRCS (essential), FRCS (desirable).o Senior neurosurgical experience (ST8/Post-CCT or equivalent).o Demonstrated interest in complex spine surgery.o Commitment to multidisciplinary teamwork, teaching, and academic activity.
Why Barts Health?o One of the UK's busiest Major Trauma Centres and home to the London Air Ambulance.o Close integration with UCLPartners and the Blizard Institute for cutting-edge research.
For further information or an informal discussion, please contactMr Suresh Pushpananthan - Consultant Neurosurgeonsuresh.pushpananthan@nhs.net(0203) 59 41196
Mr Jonathan Bull - Consultant Neurosurgeonjonathan.bull1@nhs.net(0203) 59 41196
About us
Barts Health is one of the largest NHS trusts in the country, and one of Britain's leading healthcare providers.
The Barts Health group of NHS hospitals is entering an exciting new era on our improvement journey to becoming an outstanding organisation with a world-class clinical reputation. Having lifted ourselves out of special measures, we now have the impetus and breathing space to chart a fresh course in which we are continually striving to improve all our services for patients.
Our vision is to be a high-performing group of NHS hospitals, renowned for excellence and innovation, and providing safe and compassionate care to our patients in east London and beyond. That means being a provider of excellent patient safety, known for delivering consistently high standards of harm-free care and always caring for patients in the right place at the right time. It also means being an outstanding place to work, in which our WeCare values and behaviours are visible to all and guide us in how we work together.
We strive to live by our WeCare values and are committed to promoting inclusion, where every staff member has a sense of belonging. We value our differences and fully advocate, cultivate and support an inclusive working environment.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The full job description and the person specification provide an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, outlining the qualification, skills, experience, and knowledge required.
Please view the attachment below.
Please be advised that the vacancy advertisement may close early if a sufficient number of applications are received. Therefore, we recommend that you submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The full job description and the person specification provide an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, outlining the qualification, skills, experience, and knowledge required.
Please view the attachment below.
Please be advised that the vacancy advertisement may close early if a sufficient number of applications are received. Therefore, we recommend that you submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
Person Specification
Qualifications/Higher Qualifications
Essential
- MB BS or equivalent
- Current GMC registration with a licence to practice
- MRCS
Desirable
Knowledge/Specialist clinical expertise
Essential
- An interest in neurosurgery
- An interest in the management of complex spine
Desirable
- Experience in neurosurgery at registrar/ST4-7 level
- Research in neurosciences related subjects
Training Expected
Essential
Desirable
Management/Audit Experience
Essential
- An interest in clinical audit and research
Academic Achievements
Essential
- Evidence of academic work outside MBBS course
Desirable
Research/Publications
Desirable
- Peer reviewed publications reflecting audit or research
Personal Skills
Essential
- Excellent communication skills
- Flexible approach to work and evidence of team working
- IT literate
Desirable
- Familiarity with databases
Personal qualities
Essential
- Self motivated
- Able to work under pressure
- Able to work as part of a team
- Reliable and dependable
Desirable
- Creative
- Adaptable
- Flexible
Person Specification
Qualifications/Higher Qualifications
Essential
- MB BS or equivalent
- Current GMC registration with a licence to practice
- MRCS
Desirable
Knowledge/Specialist clinical expertise
Essential
- An interest in neurosurgery
- An interest in the management of complex spine
Desirable
- Experience in neurosurgery at registrar/ST4-7 level
- Research in neurosciences related subjects
Training Expected
Essential
Desirable
Management/Audit Experience
Essential
- An interest in clinical audit and research
Academic Achievements
Essential
- Evidence of academic work outside MBBS course
Desirable
Research/Publications
Desirable
- Peer reviewed publications reflecting audit or research
Personal Skills
Essential
- Excellent communication skills
- Flexible approach to work and evidence of team working
- IT literate
Desirable
- Familiarity with databases
Personal qualities
Essential
- Self motivated
- Able to work under pressure
- Able to work as part of a team
- Reliable and dependable
Desirable
- Creative
- Adaptable
- Flexible
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
