Honorary Joint Training Fellowships for Physicians Taking Higher Specialist Training in Genitourinary Medicine
The British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH) and UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) run a programme of honorary joint Fellowships for physicians in 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. It is also possible that other grades of staff (e.g. Associate Specialists) may undertake this fellowship, if arrangements to protect their time can be agreed with their NHS employer and manager.
UK Health Security Agency
The UKHSA is responsible for protecting every member of every community from the impact of infectious diseases, chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear incidents and other health threats. It does this through working with national and local government, the NHS, industry and the voluntary and community sector. UKHSA is an executive agency sponsored by the Department of Health and Social Care. Visit the UKHSA web-site to find out more.
UKHSA, with its reference laboratories and epidemiology and emergency preparedness function, is engaged in, or contributes to, a wide range of activities relating to genitourinary medicine. These include disease surveillance, laboratory work, out-break response, mathematical modelling, economic analyses, infection control in hospitals, 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 (CsCDC), NHS public health specialists, 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 UKHSA 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 attachments would be a day per week. Each person with a Fellowship must have a “mentor” at Colindale or another part of UKHSA. That person might be, for example, in Colindale – an epidemiologist or microbiologist, but equally could be a regional epidemiologist or a senior scientist or medical microbiologist in a UKHSA laboratory or Local UKHSA Centre which are located across the country. 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 investigation, 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. It is important to appreciate that no additional funding is available for these Fellowships and that costs of any courses, travel and support (e.g.: if attending Colindale or other sites) would need to be identified by the candidate, for example, from local training budgets.
It is expected that fellows will seek to publish the findings from their research in a peer reviewed journal, many will also submit an abstract to the BASHH Annual Conference.
How to apply?
Candidates should submit their application using the form at this link
The application should include:
- Short (2 pages A4) summary of the project with the agreement of the proposed mentor (only one project should be submitted).
- Concise CV (2-3 sides)
- Short document (not more than 2 sides of A4) entitled ‘Importance of this placement at UKHSA to my training and future career’.
- Written approval from the candidates’ Head of Department, Regional Speciality Training Committee and Regional Dean.
N.B. Applications missing any of the above items will not be considered.
Candidates should identify a mentor and can contact katy.sinka@ukhsa.gov.uk to discuss, if they are not already in touch with an appropriate UKHSA based mentor.
This fellowship should be considered competitive as in previous years there has been a high level of interest for a limited number of places.
Applications should be received by the extended deadline 8th May 2026
Successful candidates will be informed by 12th June 2026 with a view to starting in the autumn of 2026.
Select this link to download a copy of this guidance.