The neurosurgery department provides opportunities to practice and gain clinical experience at all professional levels in a unique neurosurgical environment. The staff of three neurosurgeons ensures holistic supervision for one fellow, 2 pre-SET registrars and a resident.

Patients are drawn from the Top End of the Northern Territory and from the Kimberley region providing a unique demographic spread and illness profile.

Senior fellow

A FRACS neurosurgeon or comparable international medical graduate is an important team member providing expert continuity of service for patients and both supervision and education for more junior personnel. It is preferred that the fellow is qualified to practice at AHPRA supervision level 3 or 5.

Registrar

For registrars one attraction is the opportunity to have a higher level of responsibility for clinical assessment and surgical involvement, both elective and emergency, than might be available in other departments in Australia. Having 2 registrars is mitigated by the reduced after-hours call load compared with busier units.

Research and education

The often remote and very remote nature of our patient referrals provides not only challenges but also research opportunities. Current research is focussed on infections of the brain and spine and the characteristics of neuro trauma in the Northern Territory.

Education

Formal teaching opportunities include:

• Weekly RDPH grand rounds
• Weekly RDPH division of surgery grand rounds
• Monthly tele-journal club with Queensland units
• Weekly tutorials.