Key Contacts

Training Programme Director for Cardiology – Dr Ashley Nisbet – based at Bristol Royal Infirmary

Head of School of Medicine: Dr Carolyn Mackinlay

Deputy Postgraduate Dean: Dr Jon Francis

Education programme Manager: Joanne Pickstone

Education programme coordinator:vacant

Health Education South West Severn supervises all postgraduate medical specialist training in the region.

Information about the specialty

Welcome to the Cardiology pages at Severn Postgraduate Medical Education. There are excellent training opportunities in the region with a Tertiary (Cardiothoracic Surgical centre) in Bristol Royal Infirmary, and well developed cardiac departments in Southmead Hospital in the North of Bristol, Gloucester, Cheltenham, Bath, Swindon, Taunton, and Yeovil.

There are 19 full-time National Training Numbers (NTNs) in the region. The training rotation consists of a 5 year programme across these sites with opportunities for Out of Programme Experience either as Clinical Fellowships or in a period of Research. Less than full time training is also supported. All aspects of Cardiology training are provided for in the region.

As an area to live and work the South West has much to offer. An exciting period of regeneration has been taking place in Bristol. There is the regency town of Cheltenham and the City of Bath is a World Heritage site. Devon and Cornwall are within an hour or twos drive and the Welsh coast and mountains are similarly easily reached for those with a passion for the outdoors.

Training Opportunities in South West Severn

Specialty Registrars should expect to spend around 2-3 years in District General Hospitals and 2-3 years in the Cardiothoracic Surgical Centre.

In the early years of training (ST3-5) and whilst based outside the surgical centre there will be an on-call commitment to General (Internal) Medicine (GIM). In advanced (sub-specialty) modular training years (ST6-7), there will be an on call commitment for unselected cardiac emergencies in the tertiary cardiac surgical centre. Trainees opting to dual accredit in both cardiology and GIM may require to fulfil some on call commitments to GIM while in ST6-7 also. Please note that this is subject to change pending an updated cardiology curriculum expected to take effect in 2022, at which point all cardiology trainees will be required to dual accredit with GIM.

As trainees’ career aspirations take shape every effort is made to accommodate requests for sub-specialty training, however for some sub-specialities entry to advanced training is by competitive interview.

Training is provided across the region in:

  • General Cardiology (Core training)

Plus advanced modular training options including:

  • Coronary Intervention
  • Heart Failure
  • Advanced Rhythm Management - Electrophysiology + Devices
  • Advanced Rhythm Management - Device Therapy
  • Advanced Echocardiography
  • Nuclear Cardiology
  • Cardiac MRI
  • Cardiac CT
  • Inherited Cardiovascular Conditions
  • Adolescent and Adult Congenital Heart Disease (ACHD)
  • Heart Disease in Pregnancy
  • Academic Cardiology (Academic post-holders)

The Training Hospitals

Bristol Heart Institute (Bristol Royal Infirmary)

North Bristol Trust (Southmead Hospital)
Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton

Cheltenham General Hospital

Gloucestershire Royal Hospital

Royal United Hospital, Bath

Great Western Hospital, Swindon

Yeovil District Hospital

Annual Assessment Information

Essential requirements for obtaining a satisfactory outcome during your Annual Assessment:

  • Refer to the Cardiology ARCP decision aid and Cardiology WBPA Guideline Core Cardiology Training from the JRCPTB website in preparation for your assessment.
  • Refer to the Cardiology WBPA Guideline Core Cardiology Training Guideline for Sub-Specialty Training when it becomes available on the JRCPTB website.
  • Ensure your evidence is up-to-date on E-portfolio at least 6 weeks prior to the date of your assessment.
  • Invite your Educational Supervisor to complete your Educational Supervisor Report at least 4 weeks before your assessment. Remember, the more complete the report is, the more likely you are to receive a satisfactory outcome. The form of Educational Supervisor report must be the most current JRCPTB Supervisor Report.
  • Submit your documents on eportfolio two weeks before the date of the assessment. This is a fixed deadline. Trainees that submit documents after this date may receive an adverse outcome.

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