North West School of Surgery - Plastic Surgery

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Plastic Surgery

Annual Review of Competence Progression (ARCP)

Go to ARCP information for Plastic Surgery

NHS England – North West Programme Support for Plastic Surgery

Plastic Surgery Curriculum

For the most up to date syllabus and curriculum, please visit the ISCP website

Certification Guidelines:

Post-August 2021 curriculum ("new" curriculum)

Educational Opportunities

There is a combined regional teaching programme which covers the curriculum. There is an annual OCSE assessment that almost all of the trainees and trainers attend and this has been shown to be very helpful in aiding trainees with judging where their knowledge and technical skills are based.

The formal training programme runs on a rolling basis through the week. The M62 programme offers a regional training programme four times a year where trainees can learn with trainees from other North West departments.

The British Society for Surgery of the Hand (BSSH) and British Association of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS) training courses are run at the Manchester Conference Centre. They offer two comprehensive specialty training courses from an international faculty (Additional fees apply).

The newly commissioned Surgical Simulation Centre at the Manchester Medical School will provide opportunities for learning new surgical techniques.

Simulation facilities are available at Whiston and UHSM and Preston.

A fixed study leave budget is available for each trainee. Study leave must be applied for through the correct channels in a timely fashion.

TIG Programme

Manchester and Liverpool plastic surgeons are involved in the delivery of cross-specialty training in centrally appointed fellows in Hand Surgery, Breast Surgery, and Head and Neck Surgery.

National Plastic Surgery ST3 Recruitment

National Recruitment for ST3 Plastic Surgery is managed by NHS England – London and the South East (LaSE).

NHS England – London and the South East's Recruitment website

National NHS England Recruitment Website (includes Timelines, Guidance, Competition Ratios etc.)

ST3 Plastic Surgery person specification link updated 2 Oct 2025

JCST:Surgical selection in the UK

Plastic Surgery ACF Recruitment

Recruitment to Plastic Surgery Academic Clinical Fellow (ACF) posts in the North West is managed by NHS England – North West.

NHS England – North West's Recruitment website

NHS England – North West Links

Page last updated: 2 October 2025