What is a Consultant Surgeon?
Understanding the training and experience undertaken in order to become a Consultant Plastic Surgeon.
Written by Chloe Gale
Medical Review by Medical Quality Officer, David Jones , MPharm
Published: Wednesday, 3 August 2022
When researching your surgeons for your procedure, there are numerous factors to consider, including training and experience. It can be quite daunting and confusing to gauge the level the surgeon is working at, especially with all the titles and abbreviations used within the healthcare industry. We want to explain what exactly a consultant surgeon is so you can clearly understand the years of work that go into working at that level.
What is a Consultant Surgeon?
The medical system in the UK has different names for each level of Doctor as they progress through their training. A consultant is a senior doctor who is responsible for the care of their patients in the hospital. A patient will often have several doctors looking after them, but the consultant is in charge of other doctors and the patient’s care. The consultant will have completed a minimum of six years of training in their speciality area to gain a certificate of completion of training (CCT) and listing on the General Medical Council's specialist register.
Why is their title not Doctor (Dr)?
If they are a surgeon, the title of a consultant is Mr, Mrs, Ms, or Professor. If they are a physician (i.e. non-surgeon), then their title is doctor/Dr. All surgeons will have held the doctor title at one point in their career, but they will have chosen to train further and become surgeons, which in the title system in healthcare makes them a Mr, Mrs, Ms, or Professor.
To progress to each level, exams typically need to be completed. This is no different in plastic surgery. At every level, there will be a senior to the doctor until the doctor becomes a consultant. Once an individual becomes a consultant, they are the highest qualified doctor looking after the patient.
A consultant will have a team of doctors underneath them to help look after the patient. This team follow the consultant's instructions. The more senior the doctor is underneath the consultant, the more responsibility they have. In the NHS, a senior clinical fellow may do the patient's surgery. Privately with us, only the consultant the patient meets and discusses their surgery options in consultation operates.
Specialities of Consultants
- Cardiothoracic surgery
- Urology
- Vascular surgery
- General surgery
- Neurological surgery
- Paediatrics
- Oral and maxillofacial surgery
- ENT (Ear, nose, and throat)
- Plastic Surgery (including Cosmetic Surgery)
- Trauma and Orthopaedics
Within each of these, there will be further specialisation. Plastic surgery is one of the most competitive specialities to get into. The consultant is also responsible for keeping up to date - BAAPS and BAPRAS surgeons have to prove periodically that they are up to date with the latest developments, etc.
Training and experience of a Consultant Surgeon
In order to reach the level of consultant surgeon, there are many years of training and standards to be met; the progression typically looks like this:
- Completion of medical school (typically five years)
- Followed by two years of foundation training (FT 1-2) and examination to become a member of the Royal College of Surgeons (MRCS)
- A further two years of core surgical training (CT 1-2)
- Finally, six years of speciality training (ST 1-6)
- Once the Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) has been obtained, consultants are qualified.
- Following six years of specialist training in plastics, the surgeon can take the exams to join as a fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons. This is a prestigious qualification and position. British Associations of Aesthetic, Plastic Surgeons and British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAAPS/BAPRAS) full membership is only available to surgeons that have hit this as a minimum.
In the NHS, it's common to see the level of training your doctor has received as it will often state following their name e.g. ST 6, indicating that the doctor is a very senior plastic surgeon. With one more year of training and exams, this doctor would qualify as a Plastic consultant surgeon, the highest level.
Who are BAAPS/BAPRAS?
BAPRAS refers to the British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons, while BAAPS refers to the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons.
BAPRAS prides itself on providing accurate patient information to educate the public to make the best choices regarding their health and cosmetic surgery. BAPRAS offers medical professionals information and updates on essential research and training. They also often help to shape industry guidelines.
Members must be registered on the Specialist Register of Plastic Surgery of the GMC as a plastic surgeon and hold a Certificate of Completion of Training or CESR in Plastic Surgery in the UK. Depending on the membership level they’re applying for, they must also pay a fee.
BAAPS is a similar organisation dedicated to educating the public, supporting surgeons, raising awareness, and encouraging the development and advancement of cosmetic surgery. Those with a BAAPS membership need to have demonstrated superior training, a commitment to ongoing professional development and a pledge to practice with ethics and integrity. BAAPS represents most NHS-trained Plastic Surgeons in private practice.
If you have any questions or queries about the experience, training or qualifications of any of our surgeons, then please do not hesitate to reach out to your Patient Care Adviser, who will happily assist you. When moving forward with any procedures, it’s important that you feel comfortable with your surgeon and confident in the results they can offer. All of our surgeons work at the highest level within their speciality field, both privately and for the NHS.
