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
Up to 12 months, subject to satisfactory progress (the trust job description says 6 months in the first instance).
Hands-on
Unclear — confirm privileges
Clinical exposureThe Complex Spine Unit covers complex spinal reconstruction, primary and metastatic spinal tumours, complex degenerative disease, cranio-cervical junction surgery and minimally invasive spine surgery. The weekly timetable includes three outpatient clinics, radiology meetings, daily ward rounds and operating sessions. The fellow provides emergency cover for the spinal team but is not on the neurosurgical on-call rota, and is expected to take part in research.
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
Overseas applicants must show English proficiency (IELTS 7.0 overall and in each band, or undergraduate medical training in English) and eligibility to work in the UK. The post does not count towards FRCS (SN) eligibility and carries no training number.
?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
Eligible for full GMC registration with a current licence to practise at the time of appointment.
—Not published
Language
No formal language requirement is published by the cited source.
≈Partially published
Visa or work authorisation
Eligibility to work in the UK is listed as an essential criterion. The advert does not mention sponsorship.
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✓ benefits✓ registration✓ application process✓ application portal✓ faculty✓ verified institution logo✓ official source✓ institutional source✓ accreditation / organisation source✓ verification date— duration · official sources conflict— positions · not published by the cited official source— commencement / intake · historical evidence only— Funding information not published · historical evidence only— accommodation / relocation · queued for source review— eligibility · historical evidence only— international eligibility · historical evidence only— Language requirement not published · queued for source review— visa / work authorisation · historical evidence only— Current deadline not yet published · historical evidence only— required documents · not published by the cited official source— official contact · historical evidence only— Verified faculty photograph not available · queued for source review
APPLICATION TIMELINE & CONTACT
Plan the application
Application deadlineNo current deadline published in the cited evidence
Commencing dateNot fixed. Posts have been advertised when a vacancy arises; the 2023 advert was for a post available from February 2024.
Application route / cycleRecruitment runs through UCLH NHS Jobs / Trac adverts when a vacancy arises. Dated: the 2023 advert (posted 19 May 2023, post from February 2024) is closed. The JCST national interface post at this unit is recruited centrally (see JCST/Severn PGME).
Eligible for full GMC registration with a current licence to practise at appointment
FRCS (Neuro.Surg) or equivalent at the time of application (2023 person specification)
ST7 or post-CCT equivalent; completed (or completing) neurosurgical or orthopaedic training
Evidence of experience in spinal neurosurgery and intention to sub-specialise
English language: undergraduate training in English or IELTS 7.0 in every band
Eligibility to work in the UK
Application documents
NHS Jobs / Trac online application
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
What this program offers
A complex spine senior fellowship of up to 12 months at Queen Square, covering spinal reconstruction, tumour, cranio-cervical and MIS surgery in a combined neurosurgical–orthopaedic unit.
BENEFITS & SUPPORT
Published benefits and support
Access to NHNN and UCL Institute of Neurology training and research opportunities. Weekly departmental teaching and multidisciplinary morbidity and mortality meetings. No neurosurgical on-call rota.
HOST INSTITUTION
About Complex Spine Unit, NHNN Queen Square (UCLH) with RNOH
The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery (UCLH, Queen Square) is a national neurosciences centre. Its Victor Horsley Department of Neurosurgery runs a Complex Spine Unit jointly staffed with the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore.
JCST Spinal Surgery interface lead trainer; Consultant Spinal Neurosurgeon (joint NHNN/RNOH), head of the spine department at NHNNOfficial program roster
Current position
Fellowship supervisor / program leadership
Affiliation
University College London Hospitals NHS FT / Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital
