Comprehensive · Source does not publish funding, application deadline
DECISION SUMMARY
Key facts at a glance
Eligibility
International route mentioned
Funding
Not published
Deadline
Not published
Duration
12 months
Hands-on
Unclear — confirm privileges
Clinical exposureThe JCST Spinal Surgery fellowship trains surgeons to manage the full range of elective and emergency spinal conditions, combining neurosurgical and orthopaedic spinal training. Royal Preston hosts the regional neuroscience centre for Lancashire and South Cumbria (about 1.8 million people) and an orthopaedic spinal on-call service (OSRAS).
Participation levelClinical participation and hands-on restrictions must be confirmed directly with the host.
INTERNATIONAL APPLICANT CHECK
Can an international surgeon apply?
≈Partially published
International applicants
The national JCST interface fellowship is open only to surgeons on the GMC and/or Irish Specialist Register at the start date.
?Confirm directly with host
Clinical role
Clinical or combined training pathway; exact duties remain appointment-specific. Hands-on participation and operative restrictions are not explicitly published.
≈Partially published
Medical registration
GMC and/or Irish Specialist Register entry by the post start date.
—Not published
Language
No formal language requirement is published by the cited source.
≈Partially published
Visa or work authorisation
Not published
DATA QUALITY & AVAILABILITY55% of core application fields verifiedChecked 3 Oct 2026 · Next scheduled editorial review: 2027-04-01
✓ programme title✓ institution / department✓ city and country✓ programme classification✓ subspecialty✓ current status evidence✓ duration✓ benefits✓ eligibility✓ international eligibility✓ registration✓ faculty✓ official source✓ institutional source✓ accreditation / organisation source✓ verification date— positions · not published by the cited official source— commencement / intake · historical evidence only— Funding information not published · not published by the cited official source— accommodation / relocation · queued for source review— Language requirement not published · queued for source review— visa / work authorisation · not published by the cited official source— Current deadline not yet published · historical evidence only— application process · historical evidence only— required documents · historical evidence only— application portal · historical evidence only— official contact · historical evidence only— Verified faculty photograph not available · queued for source review— Verified institution logo not available · queued for source review
APPLICATION TIMELINE & CONTACT
Plan the application
Application deadlineNo current deadline published in the cited evidence
Commencing dateEarly August (JCST interface fellowships start in August; the 2025 cycle started 6 August 2025)
Application route / cycleNational recruitment is coordinated by NHS England South West (Severn PGME) through Oriel. Applications usually open in October/November for August starts. Dated 2025 cycle: applications 18 October–2 December 2024, CV and logbook emailed by 8 January 2025, virtual interviews 4 February 2025. Successful candidates rank their preferred centres.
On the GMC and/or Irish Specialist Register (post-certification) by the start date
Trained in Trauma & Orthopaedic Surgery or Neurosurgery with a demonstrable interest in spinal surgery
Ideally within two years of certification
Application documents
Oriel online application
Structured CV (maximum 4 pages)
Validated logbook
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
What this program offers
Royal Preston is an approved host unit for the national 12-month JCST post-certification spinal surgery interface fellowship. Fellows are selected nationally and then choose a centre.
BENEFITS & SUPPORT
Published benefits and support
Curriculum-based, quality-assured JCST post-certification fellowship, overseen by the Spinal Training Interface Group.
HOST INSTITUTION
About Royal Preston Hospital, Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS FT
Lancashire Teaching Hospitals runs the regional neuroscience centre at Royal Preston Hospital and a tertiary orthopaedic spinal service across Royal Preston and Chorley, within a Major Trauma Centre.
Leeds Spinal Unit, Leeds General Infirmary (Leeds Teaching Hospitals)
Leeds, England, United Kingdom · 12 months per post (the 2024 trust advert stated 12 months to 2 years; the 2026 interface and international adverts state 12 months).View program profile →
