The Severn & Wessex Deanery Haematology Rotation is a 5-year programme, which aims to provide training of the highest quality. The rotation has a good reputation with a high pass rate for the FRCPath examination and subsequent consultant appointments.

Structure of Rotation

·        The base hospital is The Bristol Royal Infirmary (University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust) where registrars undertake just over half of their training.

·        2 years are spent at two of the three District General Hospitals

o       The Royal United Hospitals, (Bath)

o       The Great Western Hospital, (Swindon)

o       Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, (Cheltenham & Gloucester)

·         6-9 months are spent in the North Bristol NHS Trust (Frenchay and Southmead Hospitals). 

·        Specialist 3-month attachments in haemostasis, bone marrow transplantation and paediatrics are at the BRI.

·        Training in transfusion medicine is at the National Blood Service, Bristol.

The rotation is organised as a series of 3 month slots, allocated primarily on the basis of training needs, but where possible taking into account geographical preferences. We plan the rotation on an annual basis after the autumn RITAs/ARCP, keeping the rotation flexible and ensuring that individual needs can be met. 

There is an opportunity for trainees with paediatric experience to undertake subspeciality paediatric haematology training, spending 2 ½ to 3years in general adult haematology and 2-2 ½ years in paediatric haematology at The Childrens Hospital (BRI)

Teaching/ Courses/ Study Time

• All of the aforementioned placements have a half study afternoon/ morning incorporated in their weekly timetables.
• Formal teaching sessions, journal clubs, presentations and laboratory teaching occur regularly within all placements.
• There are 6 Deanery training days each year, and lecturers are encouraged to make their presentations available on this website for future reference (see section on “Training Days”).
• Trainees are welcome to attend haematology training days in the Peninsula Deanery
• The Deanery runs a rolling Generic Skills Training Programme with subjects ranging from Clinical Governance through to Teaching other Healthcare Professionals (see section on “Courses”). 

• There is a monthly blood club in Bristol on a Thursday evening (see section on “Blood Club”).
• There are numerous national and international haematology study days and meetings, together with exam focussed courses (see section on “ Courses”). The Avon Blood Club and the BSH have bursaries to support attendance at these meetings.  

Out of programme experience can be incorporated into training. Previous registrars have undertaken fellowships abroad or full time academic research.

The Severn Haematology Training Scheme provides excellent breadth of experience courtesy of the varied posts within the programme. Consultants are supportive and approachable.