Gynaecology
Saint Mary's Hospital
Gynaecology at Saint Mary's Hospital
Gynaecology at Saint Mary's Hospital provides care for a broad range of conditions affecting the female reproductive system. The service is delivered by multidisciplinary specialists and includes integrated care across Saint Mary’s and Wythenshawe hospitals to support access to appropriate treatment and surgical pathways.
Observers and fellows will experience a specialist gynaecology service covering outpatient assessment, inpatient ward care, day case pathways, surgical planning and multidisciplinary decision-making. Key clinic areas include colposcopy, emergency gynaecology, endometriosis, gynaecological oncology, hysteroscopy, menopause, paediatric and adolescent gynaecology, recurrent miscarriage, reproductive medicine, urogynaecology and the Whitworth Clinic.
Saint Mary’s is a regional referral centre for gynaecological oncology, urogynaecology and reproductive medicine. The unit also specialises in modern minimally invasive surgical techniques, supporting shorter hospital stays and recovery-focused care.
Ward 62 is dedicated to gynaecology care and supports women from the local community and across the region. The ward provides inpatient and day case care for general gynaecology, gynaecological oncology, early pregnancy problems, infertility, urological gynaecology, gynaecological emergencies and patients undergoing termination of pregnancy for social or medical reasons.
The programme provides practical insight into patient-centred gynaecology care, pathway coordination, enhanced recovery, specialist nursing and therapy input, multidisciplinary working, and the role of research and service development in contemporary women’s health.
Fellowships and observerships at Manchester Specialist Health Academy provide international clinicians with structured opportunities to experience high quality healthcare training within a leading NHS environment. Both pathways offer consultant oversight, a clear induction, and access to modern clinical settings that support a strong understanding of advanced patient care. Participants are welcomed into a professional community that encourages learning, collaboration, and engagement with the culture of Manchester.
While fellows take part in more in depth clinical development, gaining exposure to subspecialties, procedures and research, observers focus on shadowing and understanding multidisciplinary practice within NHS services. Both groups benefit from involvement in clinics, team discussions, and wider learning activities such as simulation sessions, CPD opportunities, and quality improvement insight.
Academic contributions and awards
Research and development is an important part of the Saint Mary’s gynaecology service. The wider Saint Mary’s service also provides leading-edge services for local women and patients with complex conditions referred from Greater Manchester, the North West and beyond.
The Complex Endometriosis Service is a nationally accredited BSGE endometriosis treatment centre, and the wider gynaecology service includes established regional referral roles in gynaecological oncology, urogynaecology and reproductive medicine.
Rare and complex cases
Observers and fellows may observe complex presentations across general and specialist gynaecology, including endometriosis, chronic pelvic pain, early pregnancy complications, recurrent miscarriage, infertility, urogynaecology, paediatric and adolescent gynaecology, and suspected or confirmed gynaecological cancer.
The Complex Endometriosis Service is a regional tertiary referral service and a nationally accredited BSGE endometriosis treatment centre. It provides advanced diagnostics, medical and surgical management, and multidisciplinary support for women with complex endometriosis and chronic pelvic pain.
Why Manchester?
Manchester is a city of innovation and progress, renowned as the world’s first industrial city and still leading in science, healthcare, and technology. With excellent transport links and a vibrant, multicultural atmosphere, it offers an inclusive environment for learning and professional growth.
Beyond your placement, Manchester offers something for everyone - from watching the iconic Manchester derby to exploring world-class museums and galleries. With vibrant music, sport, and culture, the city truly has it all. Combining heritage and modernity, it creates a unique setting for personal enrichment and memorable experiences whilst you develop professionally.
Our signature programmes
Observership
Gynaecology
Objectives
By the end of the placement, the visiting professional should be able to:
- Describe the structure of a specialist gynaecology service within a women’s hospital and managed clinical service.
- Observe outpatient, inpatient, day case and surgical pathway working across general and specialist gynaecology.
- Understand pathways for colposcopy, emergency gynaecology, endometriosis, hysteroscopy, menopause, recurrent miscarriage, reproductive medicine and urogynaecology.
- Recognise the role of multidisciplinary working with consultants, nurses, Advanced Clinical Practitioners, Clinical Nurse Specialists, pharmacists, physiotherapists and occupational therapists.
- Observe patient-centred communication, clinical prioritisation, referral pathways, enhanced recovery and safe discharge planning.
- Understand how research, audit, service improvement and specialist accreditation support contemporary gynaecology care.
Eligibility
- The visiting professional must have sufficient English language skills to engage meaningfully in the observership.
Fellowship
Gynaecology
Objectives
By the end of the placement, the visiting professional should be able to:
- Apply supervised clinical reasoning to gynaecology presentations within outpatient, inpatient, emergency, day case and surgical settings.
- Contribute to supervised assessment, investigation planning, treatment planning and pathway coordination for women with general and specialist gynaecological conditions.
- Develop practical understanding of minimally invasive surgery, enhanced recovery, emergency assessment, complex endometriosis, recurrent miscarriage, reproductive medicine and urogynaecology pathways.
- Strengthen multidisciplinary communication with clinical, nursing, therapy, pharmacy and specialist teams across gynaecology services.
- Engage with clinical governance, research, audit, education or service improvement activity.
- Reflect on transferable approaches to women’s health service delivery, multidisciplinary pathway design, patient safety and future clinical leadership.
Eligibility
- Postgraduate Qualification: Applicants must hold an overseas-recognised postgraduate medical qualification (MD, MS, Masters) in ophthalmology or a relevant specialty.
- Experience: Minimum of 3 years’ recent experience in ophthalmology or a related specialty within the last 5 years, including at least 12 months of continuous practice before applying.
- Training Level: Equivalent to ST5 or above, or post-CCT clinicians seeking subspecialty exposure.
- Language Proficiency: IELTS Academic with 7.0 in each band and overall 7.5, or OET Medicine with Grade B in all domains, with certificate validity within 24 months.
- Registration: GMC registration is required for fellowship activity. Sponsorship support may be available through approved routes where appropriate.
- Applicants must not have failed PLAB exams previously.
- Visa sponsorship is only available through approved routes; self-funded visas outside agreed schemes are excluded.