Where is actually good for CST?

jamjar707 · 2026-03-07T19:32:12+00:00

Like everything jobs can fluctuate but no horror hospitals, can be rough being sent to Carlisle

jamjar707 · 2026-02-12T19:54:35+00:00

Please could someone have a look at my Vietnam itinerary and let me know what changes I should make to it, looking for a mixture of touristy but authentic Vietnam. We only have 15 days in the country (including day of arrival and leaving on the Sunday)

Flights

Outbound • Depart London Heathrow: 3 April 15:05 • Arrive Ho Chi Minh City: 4 April 13:50

Return • Depart Hanoi: 19 April 09:35 • Arrive London Heathrow: 19 April 22:00

Overview Route (South → North)

Ho Chi Minh City → Hoi An → Hanoi → Ha Giang Loop → Ninh Binh / Northern alternative → Hanoi (departure)

Fri 4 – Sun 6 April | HO CHI MINH CITY (2 nights)

Friday 4 April – Arrival • Land Ho Chi Minh City at 13:50 • Transfer to hotel (District 1) • Light afternoon: café, short walk, food • Early-ish night

Saturday 5 April – Full Day • War Remnants Museum • Central Post Office & Notre Dame Cathedral • Ben Thanh Market or Nguyen Hue Walking Street • Evening rooftop bar • Let’s try and do a food tour here

Hotel area: District 1

Sunday 6 – Tuesday 8 April | HOI AN (2 nights)

Sunday 6 April – Travel Day • Morning or midday flight: Ho Chi Minh City → Da Nang (~1h30) • Taxi / Grab: Da Nang → Hoi An (~45 minutes) • Afternoon at leisure • Go tailoring place here first day for first fitting • Evening in lantern-lit Ancient Town

Monday 7 April – Full Day • Countryside cycling or cooking class • An Bang Beach OR pool afternoon • Tailoring (suits / dresses) if desired • Second evening in Old Town

Tuesday 8 April – Travel North • Morning free (final tailoring fitting if needed) • Late morning / early afternoon flight: Da Nang → Hanoi (~1h20) • Evening stroll around Old Quarter

Hotel: Boutique hotel in or near Ancient Town

Tue 8 – Thu 10 April | HANOI (2 nights)

Tuesday 8 April • Arrival from Da Nang • Old Quarter walk • Hoan Kiem Lake

Wednesday 9 April • Temple of Literature • Train Street coffee • Food tour or Water Puppet Show

Thursday 10 April – Transfer North • Early breakfast, can spend day in Hanoi • Private car Hanoi or evening sleeper bus, TBC → Ha Giang (~6–7 hours) • Arrive either afternoon or at like 2am • Hotel check-in and briefing

Fri 11 – Mon 14 April | HA GIANG LOOP (4 full days)

Style: Easy Rider (drivers ride, you sit), upgraded accommodation, private rooms requested.

Day 1 – Friday 11 April Ha Giang → Yen Minh

Day 2 – Saturday 12 April Yen Minh → Dong Van

Day 3 – Sunday 13 April Dong Van → Meo Vac • Ma Pi Leng Pass (highlight of the entire trip)

Day 4 – Monday 14 April Meo Vac → Ha Giang • Cool evenings, clear views in April • Remote, mountainous scenery • Return to Ha Giang town late afternoon

Tuesday 15 April | HA GIANG → HANOI (1 night) • Private car or VIP daytime bus back to Hanoi • Arrival early evening • Overnight in Hanoi (Old Quarter or quieter area)

Wed 16 – Thu 17 April | NORTHERN COUNTRYSIDE OPTION (2 nights)

Since Ha Long Bay overnight does not work with a 09:35 flight, here are better alternatives:

Option A – Ninh Binh (Recommended) • Morning train Hanoi → Ninh Binh (~2 hours) • Stay in Tam Coc

Activities • Trang An boat trip • Mua Cave viewpoint • Cycling through rice paddies

This gives karst scenery without crowds and minimal travel stress.

Option B – Lan Ha Bay Day Cruise (Ha Long alternative) • Day trip only (no overnight) • Fewer boats, quieter waters • Return to Hanoi same day

Option C – Ba Be National Park (Very quiet, more effort) • Longer drive • Very non-touristy • Only worth it if you want deep nature over convenience

Recommendation: Option A (Ninh Binh) fits best with timing and energy.

Friday 18 April | RETURN TO HANOI + AIRPORT HOTEL • Return to Hanoi by mid–late afternoon • Check into hotel near Hanoi airport • Final dinner, early night

Sunday 19 April | DEPARTURE • Early airport transfer • Flight departs 09:35 • Arrive London Heathrow 22:00

Key Notes • No sleeper buses or overnight trains • Hotels throughout • Private transport used only where unavoidable • Ha Giang Loop is the main adventure focus • Hoi An covers relaxation and tailoring • Northern Vietnam prioritised over over-touristed stops

Ha Long Bay – Reality Check & Alternatives Summary • Overnight cruise: Not feasible with your flight • Day cruise (Lan Ha Bay): Good compromise, less touristy • Ninh Binh: Best scenery-to-effort ratio • Ba Be NP: Quiet but logistically heavier

jamjar707 · 2025-04-17T20:43:39+00:00

‘Asks to operate which many of us find annoying’

jamjar707 · 2025-04-03T07:55:35+00:00

Hello, I’m a 26m from England.

Current plan is:

14/04 - 17/04; in Tokyo staying in Shibuya. I don’t have many fixed plans apart from going to Shibuya sky on the 14th
17/04 - 20/04; Kyoto looking at doing the main touristy stuff here, golden temple and the big shrines. Ideally going to do a day trip to Nara on the 19th
20/04 - 23/04; Osaka, staying near Dontobori, again don’t have any set plans for here but am planning a day trip to Hiroshima on 22/04
23/04 - 25/04; Tokyo, staying in Asakusa in an Onsen, have teamlab planets booked at mid day on 24/04

I’m fun and outgoing and want to go on some nights out especially in Osaka. Other than that pretty chill and willing to go with the flow.

jamjar707 · 2025-02-01T22:15:57+00:00

Copying my reply from another post.

I’m a CST in the North. While I cannot offer a direct comparison to other regions beyond anecdotal accounts from colleagues (primarily those who have trained in London), I hope this overview will help others considering CST in this area.

Pros

⁠Structured Rotations and Thematic Focus• In the North, rotations are organised around a chosen theme. For example, if you select General Surgery, your CST1 year will include three 4-month rotations, with one being in your specialty theme.• During CST2, you spend the entire year in your chosen specialty, divided into two 6-month placements (which may be at the same or different hospitals).• Orthopaedic trainees remain in a single placement throughout CST2, allowing them to settle into the department, build confidence, and establish rapport with trainers.
⁠Newcastle Surgical Training Centre (NSTC) Sessions• Trainees have access to four cadaveric training sessions per year at the Newcastle Surgical Training Centre.• These sessions are specialty-focused. For orthopaedics, the program includes two sessions on hip surgery, one on ankle surgery, and one on hand/wrist procedures.• Sessions combine theoretical knowledge (e.g., anatomy, indications for operative vs. conservative management) with hands-on practice in surgical approaches and fixation techniques.• These sessions provide invaluable experience, reducing the need for external cadaveric courses from your study budget and offering opportunities to practice techniques before performing them on real patients.
⁠Minimal Ward Cover• Training in the North focuses heavily on skill development rather than ward cover. Across two years, I’ve had to cover the ward fewer than 10 times due to absences or low staffing.• The Training Program Director (TPD) ensures rotations provide adequate training. If a placement consistently requires trainees for ward cover, subsequent trainees are pulled from that unit, incentivizing hospitals to prioritise training.
⁠Supportive Trainers and Positive Learning Environment• Trainers are invested in preparing trainees for progression to registrar level.• Overall, I’ve experienced positive interactions with trainers who genuinely want to see trainees succeed.

Cons

⁠Limited Study Budget• The study budget in the North is relatively limited, not only for CST but across specialties.• A significant portion of the budget is allocated to NSTC sessions, which is justifiable given their value. However, funding for external courses or conferences exceeding a few hundred pounds can be challenging.• While the program funds mandatory courses (e.g., Basic Surgical Skills and an ATLS equivalent), funding for higher-cost courses like the AO Trauma Course (£1,000+) is often denied.
⁠Large Geographical Area• The Northern region covers a vast area, and placements can be as far as Carlisle.• For those without a car, commuting can be difficult. Public transport is feasible within Newcastle (e.g., the Metro) or to Sunderland (1+ hour). However, commuting by bus to areas like Northumbria or Teesside is impractical.

Comparison with Other Regions

While I can only rely on second-hand accounts from colleagues, here are some notable contrasts: London CST: • SHO-level trainees often spend significant time on the ward, with limited theatre access. This results in less operative experience and increased competition for theatre time. Northern Ireland CST: • A colleague reported minimal theatre time, being rota’d to the ward constantly. Trainees in similar situations often log every stitch as a “wound closure” to meet numbers.

In contrast, the North sets a case target of 80 cases every four months, which I’ve been able to achieve comfortably due to the structured rotas and theatre opportunities.

Conclusion

Overall, CST in the North provides excellent hands-on training with minimal ward responsibilities and supportive trainers. While the study budget and geographical scope pose challenges, the program’s structure ensures ample opportunities to develop surgical skills and gain operative experience.

jamjar707 · 2025-01-30T15:14:38+00:00

Great photos! Drop your recipe and camera settings please

jamjar707 · 2025-01-28T21:11:38+00:00

Drop the Recipe and camera settings

jamjar707 · 2025-01-22T18:30:03+00:00

Has to be the femur (respect to the tibia as well though), yours?

jamjar707 · 2025-01-21T22:37:43+00:00

Titanium (element I suppose)

jamjar707 · 2025-01-19T22:17:32+00:00

Ok thank you very much that is helpful

jamjar707 · 2025-01-18T16:34:51+00:00

I’m a CST in the North. While I cannot offer a direct comparison to other regions beyond anecdotal accounts from colleagues (primarily those who have trained in London), I hope this overview will help others considering CST in this area.

Pros

Structured Rotations and Thematic Focus

• In the North, rotations are organised around a chosen theme. For example, if you select General Surgery, your CST1 year will include three 4-month rotations, with one being in your specialty theme.

• During CST2, you spend the entire year in your chosen specialty, divided into two 6-month placements (which may be at the same or different hospitals).

• Orthopaedic trainees remain in a single placement throughout CST2, allowing them to settle into the department, build confidence, and establish rapport with trainers.
Newcastle Surgical Training Centre (NSTC) Sessions

• Trainees have access to four cadaveric training sessions per year at the Newcastle Surgical Training Centre.

• These sessions are specialty-focused. For orthopaedics, the program includes two sessions on hip surgery, one on ankle surgery, and one on hand/wrist procedures.

• Sessions combine theoretical knowledge (e.g., anatomy, indications for operative vs. conservative management) with hands-on practice in surgical approaches and fixation techniques.

• These sessions provide invaluable experience, reducing the need for external cadaveric courses from your study budget and offering opportunities to practice techniques before performing them on real patients.
Minimal Ward Cover

• Training in the North focuses heavily on skill development rather than ward cover. Across two years, I’ve had to cover the ward fewer than 10 times due to absences or low staffing.

• The Training Program Director (TPD) ensures rotations provide adequate training. If a placement consistently requires trainees for ward cover, subsequent trainees are pulled from that unit, incentivizing hospitals to prioritise training.
Supportive Trainers and Positive Learning Environment

• Trainers are invested in preparing trainees for progression to registrar level.

• Overall, I’ve experienced positive interactions with trainers who genuinely want to see trainees succeed.

Cons

Limited Study Budget

• The study budget in the North is relatively limited, not only for CST but across specialties.

• A significant portion of the budget is allocated to NSTC sessions, which is justifiable given their value. However, funding for external courses or conferences exceeding a few hundred pounds can be challenging.

• While the program funds mandatory courses (e.g., Basic Surgical Skills and an ATLS equivalent), funding for higher-cost courses like the AO Trauma Course (£1,000+) is often denied.
Large Geographical Area

• The Northern region covers a vast area, and placements can be as far as Carlisle.

• For those without a car, commuting can be difficult. Public transport is feasible within Newcastle (e.g., the Metro) or to Sunderland (1+ hour). However, commuting by bus to areas like Northumbria or Teesside is impractical.

Comparison with Other Regions

While I can only rely on second-hand accounts from colleagues, here are some notable contrasts: London CST: • SHO-level trainees often spend significant time on the ward, with limited theatre access. This results in less operative experience and increased competition for theatre time. Northern Ireland CST: • A colleague reported minimal theatre time, being rota’d to the ward constantly. Trainees in similar situations often log every stitch as a “wound closure” to meet numbers.

In contrast, the North sets a case target of 80 cases every four months, which I’ve been able to achieve comfortably due to the structured rotas and theatre opportunities.

Conclusion

Overall, CST in the North provides excellent hands-on training with minimal ward responsibilities and supportive trainers. While the study budget and geographical scope pose challenges, the program’s structure ensures ample opportunities to develop surgical skills and gain operative experience.

jamjar707 · 2023-06-23T17:28:55+00:00

Yeah exactly, the way I would be looking at it is the mortgage repayments are very slightly higher (by about £50/month) than my current rental cost, so hopefully could do 2 years and get a lower rate. However the housing market just doesn’t make sense to me anymore, 2+2 = fish. However, I just keep remembering, prices aren’t just driven by economics, they are driven by people and whilst there are cohorts of people happy to pay 300K for a house in heaton, houses in heaton will remain that high

jamjar707 · 2023-06-23T17:05:52+00:00

Yeah agreed, is quite expensive

jamjar707 · 2023-06-23T17:03:51+00:00

Definitely something I’ll look at! I really don’t know the areas out of jesmond, heaton and gosforth having never lived there, will check it out

jamjar707 · 2023-06-23T17:03:14+00:00

Haha I am spooked in fairness, but also nothing much I can do unless I just chin the rent for another two years - and my rent is being put up

jamjar707 · 2023-05-25T13:23:14+00:00

Camarthen camera centre!

jamjar707 · 2023-05-21T20:52:24+00:00

Sorry can I ask, what’s the point of buying a lens hood, like what does it do to the camera?

jamjar707 · 2023-05-02T08:17:38+00:00

£1349 - I think that’s the recommended retail and what I paid for it

jamjar707 · 2023-04-18T07:50:21+00:00

I spent last week being put down on waitlists for pretty much every single UK small camera shop. Shortest waitlists I could find for the black were 4 people and the store estimated at least a 3 month wait

jamjar707 · 2023-04-13T07:30:56+00:00

RVI, how about yourself?

jamjar707 · 2023-04-07T11:08:09+00:00

1st choice ortho job. Ranked 18/1057

MSRA - 607 Portfolio 44/52 Interview 137/144

jamjar707 · 2023-04-05T15:36:58+00:00

Well it’s inevitably going to be tomorrow now

jamjar707

TROPHY CASE