GOBOWEN'S Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital (RJAH)'s surgeon training programme has been recognised for its “sterling track record” after a fifth registrar scored top marks across the UK.

Ashley Brown, a lower limb Arthroplasty Specialist trainee, has been awarded the Sir Walter Mercer Medal for placing first in all sittings of the Trauma and Orthopaedic Fellowship exam in 2020 – the fifth year in a row a RJKAH trainee has won.

He is the latest trainee, under the Oswestry/Stoke rotation, to be awarded a medal, following in the footsteps of Prassad Rao, Kevin Syam, Rohit Singh, and Anuj Jaiswal.

Mr Brown, who is in his last year of training, says his success “speaks volumes” about the Oswestry-based hospital’s training programme.

He said: “I’m absolutely delighted to be the latest Oswestry/Stoke trainee to win the FRCS Orth medal.

"Being the fifth prize winner in as many years is a true testament to all of the hard work that goes on behind the scenes from the trainers, who are senior Consultants at the Trust and across the region. I mean the sterling track record really speaks for itself.

“I consider myself to be extremely privileged to be on the Oswestry/Stoke training rotation with RJAH at its centre. The hospital is an internationally renowned centre of excellence and I truly believe the investment of time into its future Surgeons absolutely contributes to that.

“Despite the added pressure Covid has placed on the NHS, the team of Consultants who facilitate the training programme have worked absolutely tirelessly to ensure the quality of learning and support remains high for the current trainees across the whole region."

The FRCS Orth exam is taken by senior Registrars prior to becoming a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, and is a gruelling exam requiring knowledge of a vast range of topics and skills in examining and assessing patients.

With six months remaining of his training, Mr Brown is looking ahead as he has been awarded a place onto the lower limb Arthroplasty fellowship programme at Holland Orthopaedic Centre in Toronto, starting in August for a year.

When he returns to the UK in 2022, he will start looking to apply for Consultant posts.

Mr Rob Banerjee, consultant orthopaedic surgeon and training programme director, added: “Huge congratulations to Ashley on being awarded the Sir Walter Mercer Medal for gaining the highest set of marks out of all Orthopaedic trainees across the country.

“It’s also pleasing that he’s our fifth Registrar consecutively to have their hard work rewarded with a prize from the Royal College of Surgeons.

"This has never been done before by one training rotation, which is a superb achievement and we feel reflects the hard work that goes into the programme from the team delivering it, as well as our trainees.”