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Job overview

The South Tees Oesophago-Gastric Unit (STOGU) at JCUH manages patients with benign and malignant OG conditions for Tees Valley and North Yokshire and surrounding areas. This is performed within a framework of a multi-disciplinary team where all individuals are encouraged to contribute effectively towards patients care. STOGU provides specialist tertiary referral OG services to a population of over 1.0 million patients in the valley. During the COVID-era, we continued to perform resectional surgery and supported other centres across the Tees Valley. In addition, we perform complex benign OG surgery for hiatus hernias and achalasia, specialist endoscopy services e.g. transnasal endoscopy (TNE), and endoscopic therapies e.g. stenting, endomucosal resections (EMR) and peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM). We anticipate that STOGU will soon have access to robotic surgery forOG conditions with credible training/ fellowship or accredited robotic training. The post holder will have an excellent opportunity to further endoscopic interventions for for gut related conditions. Furthermore, we have an established bariatric service for patients from the Tees valley catchment area.

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate will be expected to be part of the Upper GI cancer MDT and be able to perform upper GI cancer resections for malignant disease and complex hiatal surgery, in addition to other benign and biliary work. We provide a share of the elective general surgical provision for the local population. 

We expect the successful applicant to have access to a full and equal share of the Upper GI cancer caseload. Within the Upper GI team there is an opportunity to develop a special interest in robotic surgery. The current robotic surgery programme is expanding, we now have two DaVinci system robots at the James Cook Hospital (X & Xi). The robotic training for the colorectal surgeons is almost completed and is expected that existing Upper GI surgeons and the post holder will wish to be trained and contribute towards the robotic surgery program for the Upper GI Cancer surgery. We also have a gynaecological -oncology service dealing with complex multi-visceral cases.

Training and experience in advanced minimal access surgery (laparoscopic/ robotic), specifically related to Upper GI conditions is essential. As part of the Upper GI team the post holder will be expected to perform a minimum of cancer resections a year as per AUGIS recommendations and record data for AUGIS. 

Working for our organisation

JAG accreditation in Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy is essential as are advanced endoscopic skills. The Upper GI Multidisciplinary Team is supported by consultant radiologists with high quality Endoscopic Ultrasound, CT scanning, MRI and nuclear medicine. Interventional radiology service is well established and supports interventions related to GI haemorrhage needs, with out of hours support provided on the James Cook hospital site. 

There are weekly Upper GI Cancer MDT meetings on site along with a HPB surgeon form Newcastle Hospitals. Other members of the colorectal MDT include Clinical Oncologists, dedicated Histopathologists with a special interest in UGI pathology, gastroenterologists, Palliative care, Upper GI Specialist Nurses and MDT Coordinators. Engagement in cross siteclinical governance and Audit will be expected. Attendance at the appropriate regular scheduled meetings such as Cancer MDM, clinical governance Mortality review etc. is expected and that there is compliance with the Quality Surveillance Standards.