Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
National Recruitment ST1 up to 17
National Recruitment 2025
On behalf of the Royal College of Surgeons and the Specialty Advisory Committee in Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS), NHS England (South West) will be managing the national selection to the specialty.
Appointments will be made in OMFS at ST1 level, to posts commencing from August 2025. Successful candidates will continue, subject to satisfactory review, until completion of training at ST7.
OMFS deals with the diagnosis and treatment of diseases affecting the mouth, jaw, face and neck. It is unique in requiring a dual qualification in medicine and dentistry. Further details of a career in OMFS can be found at NHS Medical Careers.
Before starting an application please refer to
-
"Job Description" for vacancy details
- "Resources" for the applicant guidance and person specification
Anticipated Outcomes
- Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT)
All regions are given the opportunity to host a training programme from August 2025 at ST1 level in OMFS and below are the training centres that have had ST1 vacancies in previously. Additional training centres may also be included and the website will be updated as the information is confirmed.
East of England
Vacancies: 1 - 2 Posts
The team in the East of England are delighted to offer a run-through Maxillofacial training post recruiting at ST1, with progression to ST7 and CCT dependent on satisfactory progress at ARCP. All training is delivered in line with the Intercollegiate Surgical Curriculum Project and trainees can be assured of close involvement of the OMFS Training Programme Director and other Educational Supervisors during core training years.
OMFS Core Training
ST1 - Plastic Surgery and ENT at Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge
ST2 - General Surgery and ENT at Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge and Peterborough City Hospital
Higher Specialty Training
Following ST1/ST2 and successful achievement of MRCS, there will be run through to an ST3 post in the East of England. This training program encompasses the spectrum of maxillofacial surgery, including subspecialty training in an OMFS-led Cleft unit and the regional Major trauma centre, Addenbrookes in Cambridge.
We are fortunate to also live in a fantastic part of the world too with beautiful broads, charming colleges, great schools, unspoilt beaches and very affordable house prices. The quality of life in the East of England is second to none. Our trainers and trainees benefit from being able to balance life and work well - hugely important for well-being and a healthy training program
Further details of the rotation and contact details can be found on the HEE East of England Website
Kent, Surrey and Sussex
Vacancies: 0 - 2 Posts
KSS have offered previously a run-through Maxillofacial training post recruiting at ST1, with progression to ST7 and CCT dependent on satisfactory progress at ARCP.
We will be offering a 2-year run-through programme consisting of the following:
- ST1 year – St Richard's - Western Sussex General Surgery (6 months) and T&0 (6 months) (HEKSSX38)
- ST2 year – Royal Surrey County Hospital, Surrey ENT (6 months) and QVH, East Grinstead Plastic Surgery (6 months)
The aim of the run-through programme is to establish general core competency in the first year and gain MRCS at the end of the first year. This leaves time in the second year to gain competency in allied surgical specialties gaining competencies such as rhinology examination, pan-endoscopy, skin grafting & wound management.
The ST1 /ST2 will run-through into a KSS ST3 post in Maxillofacial surgery with onward progression through to ST7 and certification. KSS is strong in most areas of Maxillofacial surgery, particularly oncology, orthognathic, surgical dermatology, salivary gland surgery and dento-alveolar surgery.
Trainees take part in a combined regional training programme with London trainees. In addition to this there is active support for audit and preparation for the FRCS Maxillofacial examination.
We currently provide cleft & craniofacial exposure through arranged visits to Alder Hey & Birmingham.
Further details of the rotation and contact details can be found on the KSS School of Surgery website
London
Vacancies: 0 - 2 Posts
Locations on the rotation - Details are available on the London Core Surgical Website. The rotation date in London is April and October, therefore, it is anticipated start date would be October 2023.
Please contact the Applicant Enquiries team via email.
North West
Vacancies: 0 - 2 Posts
Run-through training in OMFS has been established in NHS England – North West from its inception and has had a successful experience as part of the original pitot scheme. NHS England – North West is the result of the merger of Mersey Deanery with North Western Deanery. There are 2 Core Surgical Programmes – Eastern Sector and Western Sector and the ST1 will start within the Core programme (CT1 equivalent) and run-through to ST3 dependent on successful ARCP outcome. We usually have 1 post in each core programme.
OMFS Core Training - OMFS at ST1 and ST2 is delivered in line with the Intercollegiate Surgical Curriculum Project www.iscp.ac.uk.
Cheshire, Merseyside and North Wales (West Sector)
The training posts will usually be 2 six months posts of General Surgery and Trauma and Orthopaedics, but can include plastics and ENT depending on the experience of the trainee. It is expected that the trainees will move from ST1 to ST3.
Please visit the Core Surgery recruitment pages of the North West School of Surgery website for confirmed details of Placements for ST1/ST2 (placements usually confirmed in early January).
Greater Manchester and Lancashire (East Sector)
The ST1 post is anticipated to consist of 6 months in ENT Surgery (Fairfield General, Bury) and 6 months in Upper GI/General Surgery (Manchester Royal Infirmary). The ST2 year will be 6 months in Neurosurgery (Royal Preston Hospital) and 6 months in Plastic Surgery (Wythenshawe Hospital). The Hospitals indicated are currently used for this rotation but may be liable to change.
Please visit the Core Surgery recruitment pages of the North West School of Surgery website for confirmed details of Placements for ST1/ST2 (placements usually confirmed in early January).
Higher Specialty Training
The ST1 /ST2 will run-through into a ST3 post in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery within the linked Higher Specialty Training Programme. There are 2 OMFS specialty training rotations within NHS England – North West:
- Cheshire, Merseyside and North Wales – Western Sector – Ten ST3-7 posts
- Greater Manchester and Lancashire – Eastern Sector – Eleven ST3-7 posts
Further details can be found on the NHS England – North West School of Surgery website.
For any further information visit the NHS England North West website or contact england.surgery.nw@nhs.net
North East
Vacancies: 0 - 1 Post
Trusts:
- Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- City Hospitals Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust
- North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust
Locations on the rotation:
- Royal Victoria Infirmary – Newcastle upon Tyne
- James Cook University Hospital – Middlesbrough
- Sunderland Royal Hospital
- Cumberland Infirmary - Carlisle
Brief Description of the programme:
Northern OMFS Rotation provides training in core OMFS disciplines over four main hospitals, in Newcastle, Carlisle, Sunderland and Middlesbrough. There are 6 recognised Speciality Registrar Training posts, and 2 Core Surgical Trainee posts. Paediatric Craniofacial and Cleft Surgery attachments are also available out with the Northern Region.. Training in HN oncology, reconstruction, microvascular surgery , Orthognathic surgery, Skin Cancer Surgery, Craniofacial , Maxillofacial trauma is provided. Consultants have special interests in Facial Aesthetic surgery, Rhinoplasty, and Sialendoscopy.
In a National Trainee Survey, Health Education North East have been ranked number one for a fifth year running for educational supervision. We also scored highly in areas such as:
The North East and North Cumbria, as judged by our junior doctors, provides some of the best postgraduate medical training in the UK.
In a GMC National Trainee Survey we are ranked number one for 15 out of the 17 indicators. These include Handover, Supportive Environment, Teamwork, Workload, Clinical Supervision, Clinical Supervision OOH, Educational Governance, Educational Supervision, Induction, Reporting Systems, Local Teaching, Adequate Experience, Curriculum Coverage, Feedback and Overall Satisfaction.
For further details please contact the HR Officer within the North East Allyson Ashwell and see the HE North East Website.
Scotland
Vacancies: 1 Post
Pan Scotland Rotation with units in Greater Glasgow & Clyde, Ayrshire & Arran, Lanarkshire, Grampian, Lothian, Tayside and Forth Valley Health Boards
Why choose this programme
This programme offers a comprehensive Oral and Maxillofacial training covering the whole of the OMFS syllabus. We have a clinical workload that enables us to provide quality training with good educational supervision in each unit. Academic support and research opportunities are strong, particularly through the academic institutions in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Dundee. These associations also give opportunity for involvement in teaching of undergraduate medical and dental students.
Scotland offers the cosmopolitan lifestyle of the big cities with excellent leisure, lifestyle and shopping, and also close and easy access to some of the most beautiful countryside in the world, with outdoor sporting and leisure facilities that are second to none.
Specialty Information
The normal entry point for the programme will be at ST3.
The hospitals which may be involved in the Oral and Maxillofacial training from ST3-7 are currently:-
- Regional Maxillofacial Unit, Southern General Hospital, Glasgow
- Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Glasgow
- Glasgow Dental Hospital & School
- Monklands Hospital, Airdrie
- Forth Valley Royal Hospital Larbert
- Crosshouse Hospital, Kilmarnock
- Aberdeen Royal Infirmary
- St Johns Hospital Livingston
- Edinburgh Dental Institute
- Western General Hospital, Edinburgh
- Ninewells Hospital, Dundee
It is also possible that in future other units in Scotland may be involved in the delivery of the training programme.
The units include specialist Head and Neck, Craniofacial, Orthognathic and Paediatric (including all aspects of cleft surgery) teams. There are regular MDT meetings and joint clinics with related specialties.
Training
Trainees must make full use of the training opportunities provided in each placement. Rotations after the year in Aberdeen will be 6 monthly with an intention in the early years to have placements organised to meet the ISCP syllabus criteria for initial and intermediate stages of training along with an exposure to all aspects of OMFS, with the capacity in final years of training to begin to focus on specialized areas if desired.
On Call
The trainee will be expected to take part in the on call rota for the specialty. This is a regional system in the West of Scotland. In the Northeast the on call commitment is for the area covered by the unit in Aberdeen, in and East, for the area covered by the unit based in St John’s and in Tayside for the area covered by Ninewells Hospital only.
Administration
The Trainee will be expected, when appropriate, to participate in the day to day running of the departments in administrative activities such as organisation of on-call rota's, organisation of undergraduate training, patient reports and letters. The Trainee will have the opportunity to develop management skills as required by the Surgical Royal Colleges.
Continuing Education
The Trainee will be expected to participate in educational activities on a local and national basis. Trainees are expected to further their education through attendance at meetings and courses held both locally and nationally.
Local educational activities include journal clubs, clinical pathological conferences, clinical audit meetings, postgraduate courses and courses organised by the Royal Colleges.
Management development is encouraged and the Trainee will be expected to attend appropriate courses.
Teaching
At the appropriate stage of training, the Trainee will be expected to take part in departmental teaching for junior staff, postgraduates, undergraduates, nursing staff, etc.
Research
Facilities and support for research activities are available through University academic departments and within hospital departments. The trainee will be encouraged to participate in clinical research and time will be allocated consistent with current Terms & Conditions.
Audit
Audit is an essential component of Oral & Maxillofacial practice and the Trainee will be required to participate in local and national audit activities.
Further Information
Further information on the training programme is available from the Scotland National Recruitment Team. Further information can also be found on the SMT website.
South West
Vacancies: Northern Rotation - 1 Post; Southern Rotation - 1 Post
The Oral and Maxillofacial surgery rotation is an overarching specialty within NHS England Southwest across both Severn and Peninsula. Severn is responsible for the management of the training and assessment of doctors in training.
The rotation is split between the “North" Severn rotation and the “South" Peninsula Rotation.
The Northern Rotation - Severn
- Bristol Royal Infirmary
- Gloucestershire Royal Hospital & Cheltenham General Hospitals
- Royal United Hospital, Bath
The Southern Rotation – Peninsula
- Torbay District Hospital
- Derriford Hospital, Plymouth
- Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital
It is the intention that the ST1 will follow a core surgical programme but within OMFS and will participate in Core on-calls, and run-through to ST3 dependent on achievement of MRCS and successful ARCP outcome.
OMFS Core Training - OMFS at ST1 and ST2 is delivered in line with the Intercollegiate Surgical Curriculum Project www.iscp.ac.uk.
Thames Valley
Vacancies: 0 - 1 Post
Details about the rotation to be updated.
https://thamesvalley.hee.nhs.uk/
Wales
Vacancies: 4 Posts (3 in South Wales and 1 in North Wales).
All details are available on the HEIW Website.
The rotation date in Wales is August and February.
Please contact the local team in Secondary Care or the HoS Leanne MacPherson for further queries.
Wessex
Vacancies: 0 - 2 Posts
Wessex have previously offered an ST1 programme for trainees intending to enter the OMFS training programme. Satisfactory completion of this core surgical training year may lead to direct entry, depending on previous experience, onto the Wessex OMFS programme at ST3 level.
The core training year is divided into three - four-month attachments. They will comprise of a combination of ENT, Surgical High Care/Intensive Care Medicine, General Surgery, Plastic Surgery or Trauma and Orthopaedics. The location of the posts is to be confirmed. If you undertake a ST2 year, this we will plan to be six months in ENT and six months in OMFS.
During your training year you will be closely supervised to ensure that you are making the necessary progress towards a successful ARCP outcome. During this time, you will also be encouraged to develop contacts with OMFS to ensure a smooth transition into the ST3 role. The Training Programme Director for OMFS will be involved in monitoring your progress during this first year and will be available to help you prepare for your further training.
Following successful completion of this post, entry onto the OMFS programme will lead to comprehensive training in all aspects of the specialty and to the award of a CCT for successful candidates. This programme offers excellent support and teaching, which includes regional study days and regular formal and informal local teaching. Research is actively encouraged and supported
For further information please contact Sue Ksous (01962 690347) or visit the HE Wessex Website
West Midlands
Vacancies: 1 - 2 Posts
The West Midlands have offered a run-through OMFS training post recruiting at ST1 with progression through to ST7 and CCT, dependent on satisfactory progress at ARCP.
OMFS Core Training
ST1 Posts
Trauma & Orthopaedics , Otolaryngology & General Surgery
at Russells Hall Hospital, Dudley.
ST2 Posts
Plastic Surgery, General Surgery & OMFS
at University Hospital Coventry
OMFS Higher Training
Following ST1/ST2 there will be run through to ST3 post on West Mids OMFS training program based at Birmingham, Coventry, Worcester, Wolverhampton, Telford & Stoke. Taken collectively, these training units offer the full range of OMFS activity.
Why choose this program
This program offers a comprehensive Oral and Maxillofacial training covering the whole of the OMFS syllabus including craniofacial and cleft. We have a broad clinical workload that enables us to provide quality training with good educational supervision in each unit.
Academic support and research opportunities are strong, particularly through the academic institutions in Birmingham University.
Specialty Information
Hospitals which may be involved with training from ST3 -7 are:
- University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Trust, Birmingham
- Birmingham Childrens’ Hospital, Birmingham
- Birmingham Dental Hospital, Birmingham
- City Hospital, Birmingham
- University Hospitals of Coventry & Warwickshire, Coventry
- Princess Royal Hospital,Telford
- University Hospital of North Staffordshire, Stoke
- New Cross Hospital, Wolverhampton
- Russells Hall Hospital, Dudley
- Worcestershire Royal Hospital, Worcester
- Hereford County Hospital, Hereford
For further information about the program please visit the West Midlands website.
Further details can also be obtained by emailing the Specialty Recruitment Team in West Midlands.
Yorkshire and the Humber
Vacancies: 1 - 2 Posts
Yorkshire are pleased to offer a run-through Maxillofacial training post recruiting at ST1, with progression to ST7 and CCT dependent on satisfactory progress at ARCP. The aim of the run-through programme is to establish general core competency in the first year and gain MRCS at the end of the first year. The first 6 months will be based at York teaching Hospitals. This unique joint post in head and neck surgery is offered in OMFS and ENT. The second 6 months will be in general surgery in York from Feb-August.
The aim would be to progress straight from ST1 to ST3 once core competencies are achieved (including MRCS). The ST3 program extends across 5 units. The units are based at Leeds, York, Bradford, Hull and Wakefield and trainees will be allocated according to their needs. If adequate progress is not achieved then there will be the opportunity to have placements in another core post.
The OMFS program provides full exposure to all aspects of OMFS including oncology and reconstruction, orthognathic surgery, surgical dermatology, salivary gland surgery and dento-alveolar surgery. In addition to those areas we have an established program of exposure to cleft lip and palate surgery and craniofacial surgery. Two level 3 trauma centers provide exposure to complex facial trauma management as well as collaborative working relationships with neurosurgery and oculoplastic surgeons. The program consistently delivers high quality training. A recent program review in Yorkshire and Humber showed all areas to be excellent in delivery of the curriculum. The GMC survey also showed good practice in all areas of training. Training is provided in a supportive environment.
There is an established training program where trainees have dedicated training days in which they are expected to deliver small group teaching supervised by senior consultants. Our trainees have found this an invaluable medium for general knowledge as well as exam preparation. All training days are set as mandatory and involve practical skills in some sessions. Consultants organize local cadaveric courses for simulation training. There are opportunities for research and trainees are encouraged to engage in this and audits/quality improvement projects.
Yorkshire offers many other opportunities. The beautiful landscapes are awash with outdoor activities. The Dales has some of the most breath-taking scenery and walking. There are excellent Michelin starred restaurants and entertainment facilities. Easy accessibility motorways connect East, West, North and South. The train services both at Leeds and York offer easy connection to London, Manchester and Edinburgh.
Yorkshire is an idyllic place to live and work. Please visit the HEYH website and ask our trainees, or for further information regarding the training programme contact Stephen Crank, Training Programme Director for OMFS in Yorkshire.
| Type | Title | Description | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application Info | |||
| Recruitment Timetable | Key dates in the Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery selection process. | ||
| Person Specification | Entry criteria to ST1 Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery | ||
| Applicant Guide | Specialty Specific Applicant Guide | ||
| Demonstration of Foundation Competences | Alternative Certificate | ||
| Self Assessment |
Guide on how to apply the self-scoring within the application form and the supporting documentation. |
||
| Schools and Colleges | |||
| JCST - Core Surgery | Trainees undertaking ST1 in OMFS will follow the core surgical curriculum | ||
| ISCP -Specialty Training in OMFS | |||
| Policies and Guidance | |||
| Contacts and Pay | |||