BASHH

The British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH) and
the Health Protection Agency

Honorary Joint Training Fellowships for Physicians
Taking Higher Specialist Training in Genitourinary Medicine

The British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH) and Health Protection Agency run a programme of honorary joint Fellowships for physicians in higher specialist training in genitourinary medicine. This document explains the background, how the Fellowships will work, and how those interested should apply.

Higher Specialist Training in Genitourinary Medicine
Physicians in higher specialist training (HST) in genitourinary medicine have to undertake four years of structured training according to the curriculum laid down by the JCHMT Royal Colleges of Physicians. In this, there are periods of time towards the end of the four years when optional work can be undertaken and these Fellowships would fit into such periods.

The Health Protection Agency
The Health Protection Agency (HPA) has a remit to protect, prevent, and prepare for various threats to health. Visit the HPA web-site to find out more (http:// www.hpa.org.uk)

The HPA, with its reference laboratories and epidemiology and emergency preparedness function are engaged in, or contribute to, a wide range of activities relating to genitourinary medicine. These include screening and surveillance, laboratory work, out-break response, mathematical modelling, economic analyses, infection control in hospital, schools, nurseries and the community, and sexual health. It does not do this alone, but works in partnership with NHS microbiologists, clinicians, consultants in communicable disease control (CCDC's), Environmental Health Officers, as well as academics. It is primarily engaged in public health work, but also has a strong series of applied research programmes supporting this. Hence, there are opportunities for clinicians to develop interests in epidemiology, or public health in collaboration with the HPA for part of their higher specialist training.


How will fellowships work?
It would be preferred if Fellowships and their associated attachment could be for a year, but they could be made on a shorter-term basis. In most cases the ttachments would be a day per week. Each person with a Fellowship would be allocated a "mentor" in the Centre for Infections (CfI) or another part of the HPA. That person might be, for example, in CfI - an epidemiologist or microbiologist, but equally could be a regional epidemiologist or a senior scientist or medical microbiologist in a HPA laboratory outside Colindale. The Fellow would be expected to undertake a project either with the relevant epidemiologist, laboratory director, or reference laboratory director. As indicated above, this might involve laboratory work, outbreak investigations, or analytic work and would depend on the interests of the Fellow and what is agreed with the "mentor". The Project should be of interest to the Fellow and relate to some aspect of genitourinary medicine, but it should also be of use and value to the "mentor" and public health in general. The Fellow would also attend either an introductory course or an intensive epidemiology course at CfI. In addition the Fellow would gain experience in public health and genitourinary medicine spects of the service. It is important to appreciate that although the HPA is waiving bench fees and costs of courses at this time, no additional funding is available for these Fellowships and that costs of travel and support (eg: when attending courses at Colindale) would need to be identified by the candidate, for example from local training budgets.

How to apply?

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In the first instance candidates are asked to submit a concise CV (2-3 sides) and provide a short document (not more than 2 sides of A4) entitled 'Importance of this placement at the HPA to my training and future career'. Applications should indicate whether, if successful, they would be interested in a surveillance or
microbiology project (or either). Applications should be received by end of October and sent to the BASHH secretariat.

This fellowship should be considered competitive as in previous years the HPA has been overwhelmed with interest and can only provide a limited number of places.

An interested candidate for the Fellowship would initially discuss this with their local trainer and then make enquiries of the following: Dr Karen Rogstad, BASHH Education Committee Chair (karen.rogstad@sth.nhs.uk; karenrogstad@doctors.org.uk).
Successful candidates will be informed before the end of December and will then develop a suitable project with a mentor identified by the HPA. In making an application, it is important that the candidates Head of Departments, Regional Speciality Training Committee and Regional Dean have all been consulted and given written approval.