Breast Surgery Fellowships
RCS England Senior Clinical Fellowships in Breast Surgery
This page includes a list of Breast Surgery Fellowship programmes which have been approved under the RCS England Senior Clinical Fellowship Scheme, and a gallery of recent Breast Surgery fellows.
Applying to be a fellow
If you would like to be an RCS England Senior Clinical Fellow, you will need to contact the supervisor/lead consultant of the fellowship programme you are interested in. Ask the supervisor/lead consultant if or when there is a vacancy for a fellow. They will tell you how to apply, if appropriate. Please go to the appropriate fellowship programme listed below for more information.
Fellows appointed to RCS England Senior Clinical Fellowships will be expected to be ambassadors for RCS England and meet the requirements of the GMC’s Good Medical Practice.
- Advanced Breast Surgery Fellowships
- Oncoplastic & Reconstructive Breast Surgery Fellowships
- Comments from recent fellows
Advanced Breast Surgery Fellowships
HCG Bangalore Advanced Breast Oncology Fellowship
Based at: HealthCare Global Cancer Centre, Bangalore, India
Surgical Specialty Association approving: ABS
Approval period: Initially approved March 2022 - February 2025
Supervisor/Lead Consultant: Dr Mahesh B, Senior Consultant - Surgical Oncology
Fellowship duration: 12 months
Stated learning outcomes:
• Patient care that is compassionate, appropriate, and effective for the treatment of health problems and the promotion of health.
• Medical knowledge about established and evolving biomedical, clinical, and cognate (e.g. epidemiological and social-behavioural) sciences and the application of this knowledge to patient care.
• Practice-based learning and improvement that involves investigation and evaluation of their own patient care, appraisal and assimilation of scientific evidence, and improvements in patient care.
• Interpersonal and communication skills that result in effective information exchange and teaming with patients, their families, and other health professionals.
• Professionalism, as manifested through a commitment to carrying out professional responsibilities, adherence to ethical principles, and sensitivity to a diverse patient population.
Clinical competencies to be achieved:
Clinical Competency to be achieved The objective of this course is to enable the student
- To have a deeper understanding of patho physiology and natural history of breast diseases.
- To be proficient in the evaluation and diagnosis of patients with breast diseases.
- To perform and be cognizant of various conservative, ablative and reconstructive surgical procedures for the treatment of breast cancer.
The number of main operations the fellow could expect to be involved in:
The expected case load a fellow is expected to cover in the time period is following (which will be maintained by a log-book): 3000 Mammograms, 1000 Breast ultrasounds, 150 Interventional procedures, 150 MRI.
Fellows awarded Fellowship Certificate (dates of fellowship):
- Nancy Jain (Sep 21 - Feb 23)
- Neha M.S. (Sep 22 - Feb 24)
Oncoplastic & Reconstructive Breast Surgery Fellowships
Coventry Oncoplastic & Reconstructive Breast Surgery Fellowship
Based at: University Hospital of Coventry & Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust
Surgical Specialty Association approving: ABS/BAPRAS
Approval period: Initially approved March 2020 - February 2023
Supervisor/Lead Consultant: Miss Joanna Skillman, Consultant Plastic Surgeon
Fellowship duration: 12 months
Stated learning outcomes:
- Completion of assessment in management and oncoplastic breast surgery.
- Supervision and assessment to demonstrate Increasing independence and complexity in breast management.
- Multi source feedback from team.
- Self - reflective diary of achievements.
- Completion of an audit cycle.
- Publication of a research project in a peer reviewed journal
Clinical competencies to be achieved:
- Assessment, decision making, completion and follow up review of all types of breast surgery.
- Skills in therapeutic mammoplasty, WLE, mastectomy implant and microsurgical reconstruction in an immediate and delayed setting.
- Communication and working within a multidisciplinary team
Number of main operations the Fellow could expect to be involved in:
The expected numbers of oncology procedures that the fellow can expect to undertake during the 12 month fellowship would be 140 (compared to a Training interface group recommendation of 100), although this fellow exceeded that number with 163 cases. The expected number of reconstructive cases would be 70, although this fellow exceeded the expected number with 96 cases. The expected number of cosmetic cases is 10, again exceed by this fellow with 14 cases, bringing the total to 247 cases.
Our most recent fellow has exceeded the experience recommended for oncoplastic breast surgery training by the training interface group (100 cases). They performed 247 major cases, which included 46 free flaps with the consultant scrubbed in theatre.
Fellows awarded Fellowship Certificate (dates of Fellowship):
- Giuseppe Di Taranto (Feb 20 - Feb 21)
- Rachana Tataria (Feb 21 - Feb 22)
Gateshead Oncoplastic & Reconstructive Breast Surgery Fellowship
***Applications for the 2024-2025 fellow have now closed***
Based at: Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust
Surgical Specialty Association approving: ABS/BAPRAS
Approval period: Initially approved March 2023–February 2026
Supervisor/Lead Consultant: Mr Mujahid Pervaz, Consultant Oncoplastic Breast Surgeon and Breast Clinical Lead, Co-supervisor Miss Gwen Bromley, Consultant Oncoplastic Breast Surgeon.
Fellowship duration: 12 months
Stated learning outcomes:
- Demonstrate an understanding of comprehensive patient-focused care for those with breast disease, including the management of their co-morbidities and how this may impact their suitability for surgical intervention.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the therapeutic options for breast disease, the indications for each option (including knowledge of current guidelines on commissioning and choice) and their potential pitfalls/complications.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the long-term management of patients following breast cancer surgery, including complications and revisional surgery.
- Demonstrate competence and independence in oncoplastic breast surgery (as laid out in the curriculum document).
- Demonstrate the ability to counsel patients regarding options for the management of breast cancer.
- Engage with the multi-disciplinary team to develop management plans for patients referred for breast disease and those that present with complications or problems post-operatively.
- Completion of an audit cycle.
- Publication of a research project in a peer-reviewed journal.
Clinical competencies to be achieved:
- Demonstrate competence and independence in assessment, decision making, and follow-up review of all types of breast surgery.
- Demonstrate operative competence and independence in therapeutic mammoplasty, local flap WLE, mastectomy, implant and LD reconstruction in an immediate and delayed setting, lipomodelling.
The number of main operations the fellow could expect to be involved in:
As per the 2021 Curriculum indicative procedures (n (% lead surgeon)):
- Breast Cancer Conservation: 100 (80%).
- Mastectomy: 30 (80%).
- Inc. skin sparing: 15 (60–70%).
- Axillary surgery: 100 (80%).
- Reduction mammoplasty: 20 (70%).
- Implant reconstruction: 15 (75%).
- Local flaps: 10 (75%).
Fellows awarded Fellowship Certificate (dates of fellowship):
- Ali Arnaout (Nov 23–Jul 24)
Manchester Oncoplastic & Reconstructive Breast Surgery
***The recruitment of this fellowship post is via the NHS website***
Based at: Nightingale Breast Centre, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
Surgical Specialty Association: ABS/BAPRAS
Approval period: Initially approved January 2024–December 2026
Supervisor/Lead Consultant: Miss Lyndsey Highton, Consultant Plastic and Breast Surgeon and Mr Sumohan Chatterjee, Consultant Plastic and Breast Surgeon
Fellowship duration: 12 months
Stated learning outcomes:
Initial, mid and end of fellowship supervision meetings will take place with the lead and/or additional supervisor to track progress toward learning aims. This will include reviewing the fellow's surgical logbook, progress toward competencies and progress with audit and research. Trainees are discussed by the consultant body at monthly meetings to identify any training needs. In addition, we will seek feedback from the fellow on their experience during supervision meetings and formally at the end of the fellowship.
Clinical competencies to be achieved:
To produce surgeons able to manage patients presenting with the full range of elective and emergency conditions, related to a presentation with breast cancer or requiring breast reconstruction.
Divided into six modules, plus audit and research:
- Module 1: Basic Sciences and Breast Assessment.
- Module 2: Benign Breast Conditions.
- Module 3: Breast Cancer.
- Module 4: Implant Breast Reconstruction.
- Module 5: Autologous Tissue-Based Reconstruction.
- Module 6: Aesthetic Surgery of the Breast.
- Audit and Research.
- Detail is expanded in the supporting document.
Ali Arnaout
Gateshead Oncoplastic and Reconstructive Breast Surgery Post-CCT Fellowship, November 2023–August 2024. Current post: Consultant Plastic and Oncoplastic Surgery West Suffolk Hospital"My RCS Breast Oncoplastic & Reconstructive Fellowship at Gateshead QE has been transformative in my journey to becoming an oncoplastic consultant. Over the course of my fellowship, I performed numerous key procedures including breast-conserving surgeries, sentinel lymph node biopsies, implant-based reconstructions, local and free flap reconstruction. This hands-on experience enabled me to refine my skills and operate independently at a consultant level.
In addition to clinical expertise, I have been involved in pioneering projects aimed at improving patient access to healthcare information. One such project involved developing AI-powered patient education platforms, designed to enhance access to information and promote equality in care.
The fellowship has equipped me with the skills necessary to deliver advanced surgical care, benefiting my patients through improved surgical outcomes and innovative patient education pathways. This experience has been instrumental in securing my current substantive oncoplastic consultant post."
Ali Arnaout
Giuseppe Di Taranto
Coventry Peri-CCT Oncoplastic Breast Fellowship, University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire NHS Trust, February 2020–January 2021. Current post (May 2021): Microvascular fellow, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation NHS Trust, London."The fellowship in Oncoplastic Breast Surgery at UHCW is a great opportunity for those interested in breast oncology and breast reconstruction. The trainers are really committed to teaching and there is plenty of learning opportunities and surgical activities. The fellowship faculty is very supportive and inclusive. At the end of this fellowship, I was able to evaluate patients presenting with breast concerns, decide the correct imaging pathway, plan treatments for patients diagnosed with breast cancer, and design tailored surgical plans, with a special interest in breast conservative surgery with oncoplastic techniques. I also had the chance to significantly improve my microsurgical skills in many autologous reconstructions. I had the opportunity to follow the entire journey of patients with breast cancer from the referral from the GP, through the surgery, diagnosis, reconstruction and postoperative treatments. Patients benefited a lot and were very pleased to have this continuity of care."
Giuseppe Di Taranto
Neha Maddipati
HCG Bangalore Surgical Oncology Breast Fellowship, HealthCare Global (HCG) Cancer Centre, Bangalore, India, September 2022–September 2024. Current post: Senior Resident, Tata memorial Hospital, Mumbai, India.“During my tenure as a fellow, I have gained immense knowledge and experience in managing benign and malignant breast disorders. The fellowship helped me master my surgical skills in various aspects of breast surgery including mastectomy, breast conservation surgery, oncoplastic breast surgery. Weekly tumour board discussions helped in multidisciplinary approach to management of breast cancer. Overall, I am now confident to effectively contribute to the field of breast oncology.”
Neha Maddipati
Rachana Tataria
Coventry Peri-CCT Oncoplastic Breast Fellowship, University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire NHS Trust, February 2021–February 2022. Current post: Breast Reconstruction Microsurgery fellow at Wythenshawe Hospital, University Hospital South Manchester NHS Trust."The Oncoplastic Breast Surgery Fellowship at UHCW has been an extremely rewarding post. It has broadened my understanding of comprehensive breast cancer treatment and approach to various aspects that go through every step of the ladder. It has given me the ability to make independent decisions in clinical care and patient safety. There was plenty of opportunity to develop my reconstruction and microsurgery skills. I am very thankful to the training faculty who have been very committed and involved with the progress. This has been a very supportive environment for me to develop as a clinician and I highly recommend the fellowship programme."