This page outlines the development of the orthopaedic training programme in Nottingham and the wider East Midlands region, tracing its evolution from the 1970s to the present day.
Foundation Period (1970s–Early 1980s)
The orthopaedic training programme in Nottingham was established as a formal entity during the 1970s. Prior to this, orthopaedic training in the UK had been a rather haphazard series of apprenticeship jobs. In the late 1960s the Royal College of Surgeons introduced recognised training programmes, leading to a formal certificate of training at the end of a prescribed period. The structure and suitability of training programmes were supervised and overseen by the SAC (Surgical Advisory Committee in Orthopaedics).
Following an initial inspection in 1971, the East Midlands were allocated 6 senior registrars — 3 based at Harlow Wood Orthopaedic Hospital and one each at Nottingham, Derby and Leicester. Nicholas Barton, a consultant hand surgeon who took up post in Nottingham in 1973, served as the first formal Head of Training and later became Chair of the SAC.
Expansion and Consolidation (1985–1995)
In the late 1980s to early 1990s, leadership transitioned to Professor Angus Wallace after he was appointed as Professor of Trauma and Orthopaedics in Nottingham. At this time, the programme was known as the East Midlands Training Programme and expanded to include multiple key institutions: Nottingham Queen’s Medical Centre, Nottingham City Hospital, Harlow Wood Orthopaedic Hospital, Derby hospitals including Bretby Hospital, and King’s Mill Hospital, Mansfield.
Service Reconfiguration (Mid-1990s)
In 1995, Harlow Wood Orthopaedic Hospital closed, closely followed by Bretby Hospital, marking a significant reorganisation of elective services within the East Midlands. Elective orthopaedic services in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire were redistributed across the remaining hospitals, and a new elective orthopaedic unit was established at Queen’s Medical Centre.
Regional Reorganisation: East Midlands North
At a later stage, Leicester established its own independent training programme. As a result, the remaining network became known as East Midlands North, comprising Royal Derby Hospital, King’s Mill Hospital, Nottingham University Hospitals and Chesterfield Royal Hospital.
Key Figures in Programme Leadership
- Nicholas Barton — First Head of Training (1973–1985)
- Professor Angus Wallace — Head of Training (1985–1995)
- Tim Davis — Head of Training (1995–2006)
- Paul Manning — Head of Training (2006–2015)
- Professor Ben Olivere — Head of Training (2016–2023)
- Conal Quah — Head of Training (2023–present)
Conclusion
The East Midlands orthopaedic training programme has evolved significantly over several decades, shaped by key leaders, institutional changes, and regional reorganisation. Its transition into the East Midlands North configuration reflects broader trends in medical training and service delivery.
References and acknowledgements :
The Development of Orthopaedics in the Nottingham Area by Prof William Waugh, 1987
Paul Szypryt
Professor WA Wallace
Mr B J Holdsworth