Welcome
The Department of Anaesthesia at CDHB is a busy and vibrant department with service, training, and research interests in most of the major surgical sub-specialities. The Department is very enthusiastic about having trainees at all levels of training and is fully accredited by the Australian & New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA).
Medical Staff in our Service
The Department consists of 75 Specialist Anaesthetists, 5 Medical Officers/Provisional Fellows, 28 Anaesthetic Registrars, 6 Senior House Officers, Anaesthetic Technicians, 2 Staff Nurses and 3 Secretarial/Administration staff.
All about our service
The Department of Anaesthesia is based at Christchurch Hospital and provides anaesthetic services to CDHB. The Department provides Anaesthetists for locations spread between Christchurch Hospital, Christchurch Women's Hospital (High-Risk Obstetrics) and Burwood Hospital (Orthopaedics & Plastics/Max-Fax). The annual workload consists of approximately 26,000 anaesthetics per year, of which approximately 40% are acute admissions.
Training in our service
All of the registrar posts are recognised as training posts by the Australian & New Zealand College of Anaesthetists. These posts are part of the South Island Training Scheme and Rotation. Registrars based at Christchurch are also rotated to Intensive Care and Timaru Hospital on a 3-6 monthly basis. Trainees gain exposure to the full range of anaesthesia sub-specialties including:
- Paediatrics
- Neurosurgery
- Vascular and Interventional
- Complex Head and Neck surgery
- Cardiothoracic Surgery
Registrars based at Christchurch can also expect rotations to Timaru and Christchurch ICU on a 3-6 month basis.
Research
Canterbury DHB works closely with the Christchurch School of Medicine's Department of Anaesthesia, sharing secretarial staff and office space. The Department has a strong academic focus and endeavours to create an environment where research is encouraged and supported.
SMO / Staff Support
The registrars provide on-site out-of-hours cover at both Christchurch Women's Hospital and Christchurch Hospital. Their roles are predominantly in the operating theatre (or labour ward) but also assist with in-hospital resuscitation. The SHO provides on-site after-hours cover of the Post Anaesthesia Care Unit at Burwood and also some out of hours anaesthetic service at Christchurch Hospital. All out-of-hours work is strongly supported by senior medical staff providing SMO cover across all areas and sub-specialities.
Enquiries
Click the link for detailed information regarding the South Island Training Programme.
Or contact:
Dr James Dalby-Ball – Rotational Supervisor South Island Scheme
[email protected]
Dr Frances Cammack – Supervisor of Training
[email protected]
Dr Ruth Brown – Supervisor of Training
[email protected]
About the specialty
Anatomical Pathology (AP) incorporates histology (tissue), cytology (cells), and forensic (autopsy) pathology and covers the full range of organ system specialties. Individuals can specialise in one area or have a broad interest in several areas. AP is laboratory based, includes a significant amount of microscopic work, is largely within usual working hours, and does not involve regular after hours or weekend work. In recent years AP has moved from being purely diagnostic to assuming an important role in the management of many cancers, and in conjunction with Molecular Pathology is becoming an exciting area with huge potential for research in cancer genetics.
Training Opportunities with the CDHB
Christchurch Hospital has seven AP training posts with vacancies variable depending on the training stage of the incumbent registrars.
College(s)
Anatomical Pathologists train through the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia.
Entry Requirements
- Completion of Post Graduate Years 1 and 2 as a minimum; preference will be given to candidates with additional relevant clinical experience and/or those who have completed the RCPA's Pathological Sciences examination.
- Employed in a RCPA accredited training laboratory.
- The College is not involved in selecting applicants.
Application Dates for RCPA Training
- Applications can be made at any time during the year but the number of vacancies each year will depend on examination results, which are normally available by September.
Training Duration
- 5-years (FTE) with the RCPA with time in at least two laboratories.
Interested in finding out more?
For an opportunity to observe within this department at the CDHB or talk about this career pathway, please make contact with the Director of Training, Dr Heather Smith: [email protected]
Useful websites
Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia: www.rcpa.edu.au
The role of the Anatomical Pathologist video: www.rcpa.edu.au/Library/PromotionalMaterial/General-Videos
Day in the life – Anatomical Pathology: www.rcpa.edu.au/Library/PromotionalMaterial/Day-In-The-Life
Kiwi Health Jobs: www.kiwihealthjobs.com/rmo/home
Welcome
The Burwood Spinal Unit welcomes enquiries and is delighted to provide an overview of the service to potential candidates who may be interested in coming to the Burwood Spinal Unit (BSU) to experience a wonderful learning and training opportunity.
Why specialise in Spinal?
The BSU offers a fantastic introduction to spinal medicine, from semi acute management, right through to rehabilitation and ongoing reassessment. Spinal medicine is an interesting specialty in its own right, however it also offers opportunity to practise in a range of other rehabilitation services. It meets the requirements for Part 1 medical training as well as formal AFRM (RACP) training requirements. Excellent clinical exposure to neurology, urology and orthopaedics is also a major advantage.
Career Prospects
The Burwood Spinal Unit is a recognised site for formal training with the Australasian Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine (AFRM) and Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP). Aside from spinal medicine, rehabilitation medicine offers opportunities in the areas of Brain Injury, Stroke, Amputation, Orthopaedic, Neurological and General Rehabilitation.
Medical Staff in our Service
The BSU employs the following:
- Three consultants
- Two training registrar positions, one AFRM trainee and 1 service registrar. It is also suitable for rotational medical registrars
- One house officer
The service also hosts Fellow positions at various times.
All about our service
The BSU is located on the Burwood Hospital Campus, 11km from Christchurch Hospital. The Burwood campus also provides rehabilitation services for neurorehabilitation, pain management and services to Older Persons Health and Older Persons Mental Health. It also provides elective orthopaedic surgical services and minor plastic surgery procedures. A new 220 bed hospital opened in 2016, with full radiological services to complement the existing 100 bed facilities already on site.
The BSU consists of a 30 bed inpatient unit, including 4 transitional rehabilitation beds, and is one of only two specialist spinal units in New Zealand. The unit underwent major renovations in 2019 and is now a modern, purpose built unit with top quality equipment and very pleasant facilities for patients and staff.
The spinal unit provides a comprehensive regional service and covers a catchment area which includes all of the South Island of NZ and as far north as the middle of the North Island. Acute patients are admitted via Christchurch Hospital, where they are managed in conjunction with the ICU or orthopaedic teams. When medically stable, patients are transferred out to the spinal unit for ongoing rehabilitation.
The service treats traumatic spinal injured patients and also those with spinal impairment from non-traumatic causes. In addition to these services, non acute urological and upper limb surgery is undertaken onsite and trial and refill of intrathecal baclofen pumps.
A suite of reassessment services is provided, including general outpatients, spasticity clinics and scheduled reassessment clinics, both onsite and peripherally, in a range of centres by a skilled IDT team.
The BSU medical staff work in teams. There is a registrar allocated to each team and a house officer who works across the teams. Each team conducts formal ward rounds, as well as unscheduled inpatient meetings and there is a weekly joint ward round which includes all medical staff.
Training in our service
Clinical training is excellent with exposure to neurology (particularly spinal cord medicine), neuro-urology, microbiology, orthopaedic and radiology. The service holds weekly journal clubs/CME sessions and provides dedicated teaching sessions within the unit. Regular training from AFRM and NZ Branch Teaching programmes are provided via remote links. There are also other teaching opportunities across the site with other services and RMOs are encouraged to attend these as much as possible.
A video conference link is set up for staff to the weekly Grand Round meeting at Christchurch Hospital. There are online library facilities and a pleasant library setting with well stocked books from the Medical Library.
Research
The BSU strongly supports research and there are usually ongoing research projects within the unit. Staff are encouraged to participate in research projects and to undertake their own research.
Welcome
The Cardiology Department at Christchurch Hospital is the largest cardiology service in the South Island, serving a regional population of approximately 600,000. The department provides a comprehensive range of cardiology services including general cardiology, electrophysiology, cardiac imaging, heart failure, and interventional cardiology.
Training in our service
The department offers excellent training opportunities for registrars across the breadth of cardiology. Training posts are fully accredited with the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) and the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand (CSANZ). Trainees gain exposure to complex cases and cutting-edge procedures in a supportive environment.
Enquiries
For further information about training opportunities, please contact the Department of Cardiology at Christchurch Hospital via [email protected].
About our service
The Dermatology Department at Christchurch Hospital provides outpatient and inpatient dermatology services to Canterbury and the wider South Island region. Services include general dermatology, dermoscopy, skin surgery, phototherapy, and specialist clinics for complex skin conditions.
Training in our service
The department offers a registrar training position accredited with the Australasian College of Dermatologists (ACD). Trainees gain broad exposure to all areas of dermatology and are supported by experienced consultant dermatologists. Teaching sessions, journal clubs, and research opportunities are available.
Enquiries
For further information please contact the Dermatology Department at [email protected].
About our service
The Emergency Department at Christchurch Hospital is one of the busiest in New Zealand, seeing over 75,000 patients per year. The department is staffed by experienced emergency physicians, registrars, and house officers providing high-quality acute care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Training in our service
The department is accredited for training with the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine (ACEM). Training registrars receive comprehensive exposure to undifferentiated emergency presentations, trauma, resuscitation, and procedural skills. Regular teaching, simulation, and quality improvement activities are supported.
Enquiries
For further information please contact the Emergency Department at [email protected].
About our service
The General Medicine service at Christchurch Hospital provides acute and specialist medical care across a broad range of conditions. Regist