TIG Oncoplastic Breast Fellowships

January 6th 2014

Dear Trainee

As you are no doubt aware, concerns about the TIG fellowships in oncoplastic breast surgery were the

subject of an enquiry carried out by the JCST in 2013. This enquiry arose because of the low numbers of

plastic surgeons appointed to the programme over the previous three years.

It has been agreed that for the forthcoming round a quota system will be adopted in which three places

will be guaranteed for trainees from each parent speciality with the final three places being reserved

for the best performing candidates.

The future makeup of the programme is the subject of ongoing discussions between ABS, BAPRAS and

the SAC chairs. However, it has been recognised that plastic surgery trainees may be disadvantaged by

the timing of advertisements and the person specification required for the fellowship programme. It

has therefore been agreed that a system of proleptic appointments will be introduced and those plastic

surgery trainees at ST5 with an ARCP outcome 1 will be entitled to apply with an expectation of being

appointed to the programme during ST7 or 8 if successful at interview. The caveat will be that those

‘appointed’ will pass the intercollegiate examination and have an ARCP outcome 1 before taking up the

fellowship.

In order to staff breast centres in the future with appropriately trained surgeons, it is recognised that

plastic surgeons with an interest in breast surgery should be fully trained in all aspects of breast

cancer management (including microsurgery) and that the TIG fellowships provide the best vehicle for

achieving this aim.

We therefore urge those of you who are interested in pursuing a career with a special interest in breast

surgery to apply for these fellowships.

Yours sincerely

Graeme Perks Aidan Fitzgerald

President BAPRAS SAC Chair in Plastic Surgery