A SURGEON at the Orthopaedic Hospital in Gobowen has received a place on a major North American fellowship programme.

Consultant orthopaedic surgeon Ben Burston has gained one of four international places on the Rothman-Ranawat Travelling Fellowship, which offers a chance to tour centres of excellence in the USA and Canada.

Mr Burston said: “I’m delighted to have been accepted onto the prestigious Rothman-Ranawat Travelling Fellowship. It’s a really amazing opportunity for both myself and the hospital.

The five-week programme, which is run by the American Hip Society and is named after world-respected orthopaedic surgeons, Richard H.Rothman and Chitranjan S. Ranawat, will see Mr Burston and three other practitioners from around the world.

They will visit 10 hospitals in America and Canada, which have been identified as offering exceptional standards of surgical care of the hip joint.

At each site Mr Burston will be presenting some of his current research undertaken at RJAH.

“I’m really looking forward to meeting some of the doyens of hip surgery from around the world, learning from them but also expanding my network, as well as exchanging ideas and best practice,” he said.

Areas Mr Burston is keen to develop in his practice includes the management of prosthetic joint infection, which will link in with his work co-chairing the weekly infection multidisciplinary (MDT) meeting at RJAH, as well as exploring expertise in the management of large acetabular defects – the socket of the hip joint.

He believes the learning he will take from the programme will support these developments.

Mr Burston added: “I’m extremely grateful for the support my employers and colleagues at RJAH have given me, from me applying for a place on this prestigious fellowship to being accepted onto it.”

Steve White, medical director at the Orthopaedic, said: “We’re absolutely delighted and proud of Ben’s achievement in being awarded a place on this esteemed fellowship.

“Those who have previously gained a place on these sort of fellowships have been national leaders in our country in orthopaedic surgery. It’s a great opportunity for him to further develop himself, as well as providing him with greater confidence and authority in his surgical practice. Congratulations Ben!”