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There has been increasing confusion in recent years regarding the titles that various members of the health care profession have used. Titles such as Consultant Nurse, Consultant Physiotherapist, Surgical Assistant, Surgical Care Practitioner, Consultant Podiatrist or Consultant Podiatric Surgeon have become increasingly common. Infact none of these people have been to medical school or are medically qualified as a doctor. Patients treated by health care practitioners using these titles are not protected by the General Medical Act and the people using these titles are not registered with the General Medical Council.
Here at the Dorset Foot and Ankle Clinic both Mr Taylor and Mr Farrar are medically qualified doctors that have undertaken specialist training in orthopaedic surgery and have sub-specialty experience in foot and ankle surgery. They are on the Specialist Register of the General Medical Council and members of the British Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society.
What Training Does it Take to Become a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon with a Specialist Interest in Foot and Ankle Surgery?
Training can be variable, although in general is as follows:
• 5 to 6 years undergraduate medical training at medical school.
• 4 to 5 years basic surgical training as a junior doctor in a number of surgical specialities including orthopaedics.
• 6 years higher surgical training in orthopaedics. This will usually include sub-speciality training in foot and ankle surgery, often in the form of a Fellowship.
Only after this extensive training can one work as an independent Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon. Training, however, is on going and there is a career long process of self education and revalidation, as set out by the General Medical Council, that is strictly adhered to by all medical practitioners.
How do I know my Surgeon is Medically Qualified?
The most reliable way is to look at qualifications after their name. These should include either MBBS or MBCHB, these are equivalent basic medical qualifications. Your Surgeon should also be a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons and have completed the sub-speciality training examination towards the end of their training. This will be indicated by the letters FRCS (Tr & Orth) being present after their name.
There are many other titles, as described above, that are used by medical practitioners carrying out various forms of surgery. If they do not, however, have these letters after their name, we would suggest you ask why.
If there are any doubts regarding the qualifications of the person proposing to carry out your surgery you could always discuss this with your general practitioner who will be aware of the above information and can advise you accordingly.
