Surgical Skills Training Network

Eastern & Greater Southern Surgical Skills Training Network - POWH (EGSSSTN - POWH)

The Eastern & Greater Southern Surgical Skills Training Network – Prince of Wales Hospital (POWH) provides a premier surgical training environment designed to support and inspire the next generation of surgeons. Our program is tailored for Surgical SRMOs, Unaccredited Registrars, and PGY1–PGY2 doctors with an interest in pursuing a surgical career, offering a structured and progressive pathway to develop the core competencies required for selection into vocational training and future accredited SET positions under the auspices of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.

Built on a long-standing tradition of excellence in both patient care and surgical education, the Network combines high-quality subspecialty and general surgical exposure with a strong culture of teaching, mentorship, and professional development. Trainees benefit from immersive clinical experience within a dynamic tertiary referral environment, gaining confidence in perioperative management, operative participation, and multidisciplinary team-based care across a broad and complex surgical case mix.

The program is further enriched by a comprehensive suite of educational opportunities, including hands-on skills workshops, simulation-based training, structured teaching sessions, lectures, and targeted career development support. With dedicated guidance from experienced surgeons and a clear focus on building surgical capability and career readiness, the Eastern & Greater Southern Surgical Skills Training Network – POWH offers an exceptional platform for motivated junior doctors seeking to excel in surgical training.

SET Training

Each specialty college has a different process for selecting and allocating SET trainees. For more information go to the Royal Australian College of Surgeons website.

Please contact Dr Cameron Law and Dadeyva Gutierrez regarding job and training opportunities within our Network

Surgical SRMO & Unaccredited Registrar Terms

Surgical Skills Network rotations:

The Prince of Wales Hospital 

At the core of the network is Prince of Wales Hospital, a major tertiary referral centre located in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs, providing exposure to a broad and complex surgical case mix across emergency, elective, and subspecialty services. Trainees benefit from hands-on clinical learning in well-supported surgical units, close supervision from experienced consultants, and strong integration within multidisciplinary teams that include allied health, critical care, and specialist services.

The network is committed to developing confident, well-rounded surgeons through access to structured teaching programs, theatre participation, outpatient clinics, and skills-based training opportunities. Trainees also benefit from the hospital’s strong academic and research environment, with links to UNSW and ongoing involvement in clinical trials and quality improvement initiatives. With a culture that prioritises education, patient safety, and progressive responsibility, the POWH Network provides an ideal platform for junior doctors seeking to build the skills, judgement, and experience required for competitive surgical training pathways.

The Sydney Children’s Hospital

The Paediatric General Surgery term at Sydney Children's Hospital, is designed for junior doctors with an interest in pursuing a career in paediatric surgery. This rotation offers broad exposure to the assessment and management of a diverse paediatric surgical case mix, working alongside specialist paediatric surgeons in a tertiary children’s hospital setting. Trainees gain experience in acute and elective paediatric surgical care, multidisciplinary teamwork, and family-centred practice, while developing procedural and clinical decision-making skills relevant to future surgical training. Where available, an  Otolaryngology term may be arranged on a case-by-case basis, offering further subspecialty exposure for doctors interested in expanding their paediatric surgical experience.

The Sydney Hospital and Sydney Eye Hospital

The rotation at Sydney Hospital and Sydney Eye Hospital offers exceptional surgical exposure for trainees with an interest in hand surgery and related subspecialties. As a dedicated centre for hand and upper limb surgery, it provides a high-volume and diverse case load, including acute hand trauma, elective reconstructive procedures, tendon and nerve injuries, and complex microsurgical cases. Trainees gain valuable experience in both theatre and outpatient settings, with early exposure to the assessment, triage, and management of time-critical hand injuries commonly presenting through a busy metropolitan emergency referral pathway. 

Located in the heart of Sydney’s CBD, the hospital offers an outstanding urban training environment, combining intensive clinical exposure with access to major tertiary services and academic networks, making it a highly valuable component of a surgical training pathway.

Griffith Base Hospital

Griffith Base Hospital is a Level 4 regional facility. Following a redevelopment completed in June 2025, it serves as a major base hospital in the Murrumbidgee region, featuring a 119-bed capacity, 24-hour emergency department, a level 4 intensive care unit (ICU), and expanded surgical and diagnostic services. 

The Griffith Surgical Rotation offers an outstanding opportunity for junior doctors seeking broad, hands-on surgical experience in a supportive regional training environment. Based in Griffith, within the Murrumbidgee region, this term provides exposure to a diverse and practical general surgical case mix, with strong emphasis on developing procedural confidence, clinical judgement, and operative experience in a high-responsibility setting.

Trainees benefit from early theatre exposure, active participation in emergency and elective surgical cases, and close working relationships with experienced consultants who are committed to teaching and supervision. The rotation fosters autonomy while maintaining strong clinical support, allowing trainees to rapidly develop core surgical skills including perioperative management, ward-based decision-making, and procedural competence across a range of general surgical presentations.

A key highlight of the Griffith experience is the opportunity to work in a regional hospital environment where trainees are integral members of the clinical team. The setting provides meaningful continuity of patient care, high-quality supervised training, and exposure to the full patient journey from presentation through to recovery. Combined with the welcoming regional community, excellent lifestyle balance, and strong procedural learning opportunities.

South East Regional Hospital - Bega

South East Regional Hospital in Bega offers a strong rural rotation for aspiring surgical trainees, with the advantages of working in a modern regional referral hospital while gaining broad, practical surgical experience. As part of the Eastern & Greater Southern Surgical Skills Training Network, it provides dedicated general surgery terms linked to established metropolitan pathways, making it a valuable stepping stone for doctors pursuing a surgical career.

Trainees benefit from close consultant supervision, a varied operative caseload, and greater hands-on involvement than is often possible in larger metropolitan centres. The smaller team environment supports continuity of care, direct mentoring, and meaningful exposure across emergency and elective surgery — allowing junior doctors to build confidence in operative skills, perioperative management, and clinical decision-making.

Located on the beautiful Sapphire Coast, Bega also offers an appealing lifestyle with beaches, outdoor activities and a welcoming regional community, making it an attractive term for those seeking both high-quality surgical experience and excellent work–life balance.

Dubbo Base Hospital 

For junior doctors pursuing surgical training, Dubbo offers strong clinical autonomy, continuity of patient care, and exposure to rural and regional health presentations that build practical decision-making and procedural confidence. The collaborative team structure allows trainees to work closely with senior surgeons and multidisciplinary teams, creating excellent opportunities for mentorship and portfolio development.

Beyond the hospital, Dubbo provides an attractive lifestyle that supports work–life balance. As a large regional centre, it offers affordable living, a strong community atmosphere, and easy access to outdoor recreation, local wineries, cafés and national parks. Attractions such as Taronga Western Plains Zoo, riverside walking trails, and nearby country towns make it an appealing placement for doctors seeking high-quality surgical experience while enjoying a rewarding regional lifestyle.

Network Director of Surgical Training – Prince of Wales Hospital

Dr Cameron Law is a Colorectal and General Surgeon and the Network Director of the Eastern and Greater Southern Surgical Skills Network. 

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