North West School of Surgery - Otolaryngology (ENT)
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Otolaryngology (ENT)
Otolaryngology (ENT) in the north west of England is managed as a single training programme covering the whole region. There are no separate 'Cheshire and Merseyside' or 'Greater Manchester, Lancashire and South Cumbria' sectors in this specialty.
Key Contacts
Mr Sunil Sharma,
Otolaryngology (ENT) Training Programme Director
Based at Alder Hey Children's Hospital
Annual Review of Competence Progression (ARCP)
Go to ARCP information for Otolaryngology (ENT)
NHS England – North West Programme Support for Vascular Surgery
Programme Support Administrator for Surgery
Vacant
please contact another member of the School of Surgery Team
Email: england.surgery.nw@nhs.net
Tel: N/A
Otolayngology (ENT) Curriculum
For the most up to date syllabus and curriculum, please visit the ISCP website.
The up to date JCST Certification Guidelines are available within the currilculum pages of the ISCP website.
Overview
This comprehensive higher surgical training programme in Otolaryngology/Head and Neck surgery encompasses all the ENT Departments within the north west of England.
The curriculum will involve the acquiring of specialist competencies in the 4-6 years after entry to higher surgical training at ST3 and full details of the curriculum can be viewed on the ISCP website www.iscp.ac.uk.
Training Rotation
There are multiple hospitals in the area to give all trainees training in all the sub-specialities including General ENT, Rhinology, Facial Plastics, Paediatric ENT, Head and Neck Surgery including Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery, Laryngology, Otology, Implantation Otology and Skull Base and Neurotology is available within the region.
Educational Opportunities
Trainees in ST3 and above until CCT will be expected to attend local educational programmes which are held within the hospital they are working in.
There is also a comprehensive teaching programme which takes place on a monthly basis. All units facilitate attendance at these sessions. Each unit also undertakes a weekly teaching session.
In addition there are opportunities for surgical cadaver dissection courses and workshops conducted locally and also an annual viva training day to prepare candidates for the intercollegiate examination. Trainees can also use the facilities at the new Surgical Simulation and Skills Centre at Royal Albert Edward Infirmary, Wigan for surgical training on 3 D Haptic Voxelman simulators including temporal bone drilling, and endoscopic sinus surgery.
Research and Audit
Opportunities for clinical research exist within all departments involved in the programme and trainees are expected to take advantage of this. There are ACF opportunities, as well as MD and PhD opportunities for those trainees who would like to take them. The main research department is at Aintree University Hospital under the supervision of Prof Terry Jones.
All trainees should be actively involved in audit on an ongoing basis and be in a position to demonstrate this at annual appraisal and ARCP. Teaching of less experienced medical colleagues, medical students, nurses and other paramedical staff is an integral part of the post and all trainees are expected to be involved in this.
Hospitals on the Otolaryngology (ENT) East Sector Rotation
GMC Programme Code: NWE1063 (was NWD931 and MER972) and NWE1140 (run-through - was NWD4032 and MER4033)
National Otolaryngology (ENT) ST3 Recruitment
National Recruitment for ST3 Vascular Surgery is managed by NHS England – Yorkshire and the Humber.
NHS England – Yorkshire and the Humber's Recruitment website
National NHS England Recruitment Website (includes Timelines, Guidance, Competition Ratios etc.)
ST3 Otolaryngology (ENT) person specification link updated 2 Oct 2025
JCST:Surgical selection in the UK
Applications open 20 Nov 2025
Otolaryngology (ENT) in North West England
Sector: N/A - appointment is to the whole north west region
Vacancies: TBC
Start Date: 5 August 2026
Grade: ST3
Programme Length: 72 months
Apply via Oriel
Applications open 20 Nov 2025
Otolaryngology (ENT) in North West England
Sector: N/A - appointment is to the whole north west region
Vacancies: TBC
Start Date: 3 February 2027
Grade: ST3
Programme Length: 72 months
Apply via Oriel
Otolaryngology (ENT) ACF Recruitment
Recruitment to Otolaryngology (ENT) Academic Clinical Fellow (ACF) posts in the North West is managed by NHS England – North West.
Click here to go to NHS England – North West's Recruitment website
Applications close 4pm 30 Oct 2025
Otolaryngology (ENT) ACF in North West England
Sector: N/A - appointment is to the whole north west region - University of Liverpool
Vacancies: 1
Start Date: 5 August 2026
Grade: ST3
Programme Length: 72 months
Apply via Oriel
Links
e-medicine textbook of otorhinolaryngology
Head and Neck cancer support information
National library of medicine: patient information on ENT
Joint Committee on Surgical Training
British association of Paediatric Otorhinolaryngology
Association of Otolaryngologists in training
Ear Surgery information Center: Concise website covering all aspects of otological surgery
NHS England – North West Links
Page last updated: 3 October 2025