Obstetrics and gynaecology
Doctors in obstetrics and gynaecology (O&G) care for pregnant women and unborn children, and look after women’s sexual and reproductive health.
You’ll start off in both obstetrics and gynaecology.
Life as an O&G doctor
Obstetrics and gynaecology is a varied role combining medicine and surgery so many of your patients will be healthy people going through a life change.
In obstetrics, midwives handle most of the low risk care and uncomplicated deliveries. You’ll deal with more complicated pregnancies and births and perform procedures such as caesarean sections.
In gynaecology, your patients will be women of all ages. You could be involved in anything from keyhole surgery through to advising on fertility treatment.
There is no typical day in obstetrics and gynaecology, which is part of the appeal. This is a 24/7 role. Working in a multidisciplinary team on the labour ward is a major aspect of the job, so you can expect to be on-call and workout of hours at times.
You’ll probably work on a shift system, beginning with ward rounds, and including working in an outpatient clinic, an operating theatre list or a specialist clinic.
This is an exciting area, where techniques developed over the past 30 years have transformed the lives of women and babies and continue to do so at a rapid pace.
How much can I earn?
You’ll first earn a salary when you start your foundation training after medical school. Find out details of current salary ranges for foundation and specialty training, SAS doctors and consultants on the 'Pay for doctors' page.
How about the benefits?
- make a difference
- flexible and part-time working
- high income early in your career
- work anywhere in the world
- excellent pension scheme
- good holiday entitlement
- NHS discounts in shops and restaurants
Must-have skills
- excellent communication skills to manage a wide range of relationships with colleagues, and patients and their families
- emotional resilience, a calm temperament and the ability to work well under pressure
- teamwork and the capacity to lead multidisciplinary teams
- problem-solving and diagnostic skills
- outstanding organisational ability and effective decision-making skills
- first-class time and resource management for the benefit of patients
- a high degree of manual dexterity
- superb hand-eye co-ordination, excellent vision, and visuospatial awareness
- physical stamina to cope with the demands of surgery
Entry requirements
- Your first step is medical school. Typically, you’ll need excellent GCSEs and three A or A* passes at A level including chemistry for a five-year undergraduate degree in medicine. Many medical schools also ask for biology and others may require maths or physics.
- If you already have a degree, you could study for a four-year postgraduate degree in medicine.
- You’ll need to pass an interview and admissions test. You’ll be asked to show how you demonstrate the NHS values such as compassion and respect.
- Some medical schools look to recruit a mix of students from different backgrounds and geographical areas, so your educational and economic background and family circumstances could be considered as part of your application.
What are my chances of starting a career in obstetrics and gynaecology?
In 2020 there were 672 applications for 256 places on O&G specialty training.
How to become a doctor in obstetrics and gynaecology
- After medical school, you’ll join the paid two year foundation programme where you’ll work in six placements in different settings.
- After your foundation programme, you can apply for paid specialty training to become a doctor in obstetrics and gynaecology, which will take a minimum of seven years.
- You may be able to train part time, for example for health reasons or if you have family or caring responsibilities.
Where a career in obstetrics and gynaecology can take you
You could:
- specialise or conduct research in areas such as fertility care or high-risk obstetrics
- teach medical students or postgraduate students in training
- get involved in research at universities, the NHS or private sector
-
Consultant Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Birmingham, B9 5SS
- Salary :
- £109725.00 to £145478.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust
-
Locum Consultant Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Birmingham, B9 5SS
- Salary :
- £109725.00 to £145478.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust
-
Consultant Obstetrics and Gynaecology - Urogynaecology specialist
Birmingham, B9 5SS
- Salary :
- £109725.00 to £145478.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust
-
Consultant Obstetrics and Gynaecology Menopause Specialist
Birmingham, B15 2TH
- Salary :
- £109725.00 to £145478.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust
-
Lead Sonographer Obstetrics and Gynaecology -Radiology
Stevenage, SG1 4AB
- Salary :
- £55690.00 to £62682.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- East and North Hertfordshire Teaching NHS Trust
-
Locum Consultant in Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Chertsey, KT16 0PZ
- Salary :
- £105504.00 to £139882.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Ashford & St. Peter's Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
-
Locum Consultant in Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Aberystwyth, SY23 1ER
- Salary :
- £121264.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Hywel Dda University Health Board
-
Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist w/SI in Benign Gynaecology
Aylesbury, HP21 8AL
- Salary :
- £105504.00 to £139882.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust
-
Senior Clinical Fellow in Obstetrics and Gynaecology
London, SE13 6LH
- Salary :
- £61825.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust
-
Consultant in Obstetrics and Gynaecology (Interest in Abortion Care)
Leeds, LS9 7TF
- Salary :
- £109725.00 to £145478.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Leeds Teaching Hospitals
-
Consultant Obstetrics and Gynaecology (Fetal Medicine and High Risk)
Barnsley, S75 2EP
- Salary :
- £109725.00 to £145478.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
-
Locum Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
Romford, RM7 0AG
- Salary :
- £109725.00 to £145478.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust
-
Consultant - Obstetrics & Gynaecology
Steeton, BD20 6TD
- Salary :
- £109725.00 to £145478.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Airedale NHS Foundation Trust
-
Consultant in Gynaecological Oncology
Middlesbrough, TS4 3BW
- Salary :
- £105504.00 to £139882.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
-
Consultant in Gynaecological Oncology
Oxford, OX3 7LE
- Salary :
- £109725.00 to £145478.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
-
Consultant in Gynaecological Oncology
Manchester, M13 9WL
- Salary :
- £109725.00 to £145478.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
-
Locum Consultant in Gynaecology
Taunton, TA1 5DA
- Salary :
- £109725.00 to £145478.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Somerset NHS Foundation Trust
-
Consultant in Obstetrics & Gynaecology
London, N19 5NF
- Salary :
- £109725.00 to £145478.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Whittington Hospital NHS Trust
-
Consultant in Obstetrics & Gynaecology
Bedford, MK42 9DJ
- Salary :
- £105504.00 to £139882.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
-
Locum Consultant - Obstetrics & Gynaecology
Basingstoke, RG24 9NA
- Salary :
- £109725.00 to £145478.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
-
Nurse Specialist for Gynaecology Services
Harlow, CM20 1QX
- Salary :
- £50008.00 to £56908.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust
-
Consultant in Obstetrics & Gynaecology w/ Gynaecological C&D
Redhill, RH1 5RH
- Salary :
- £109725.00 to £145478.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust
-
Trust Grade ST3-5 Obstetrics & Gynaecology
London, NW1 2BU
- Salary :
- £61825.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
-
Senior Clinical Fellow in Obstetrics & Gynaecology
London, SE13 6LH
- Salary :
- £61825.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust
-
Consultant in Obstetrics & Gynaecology - Fetal Medicine Interest
Chester, CH2 1UL
- Salary :
- £105504.00 to £139882.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
-
Consultant Obstetrician
Taunton, TA1 5DA
- Salary :
- £109725.00 to £145478.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Somerset NHS Foundation Trust
-
Consultant Gynaecologist
Sheffield, S11 8UX
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- One Health Group
-
Consultant Gynaecologist
Birmingham, B152QD
- Salary :
- £140000.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Practice Plus Group
-
Locum Consultant Obstetrician
Middlesbrough, TS4 3BW
- Salary :
- £105504.00 to £139882.00
- Type :
- Locum
- Employer :
- South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
-
Locum Consultant Gynaecologist
Sheffield, S10 2SF
- Salary :
- £105504.00 to £139882.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
-
Consultant Obstetrician Fetal Medicine
Birmingham, B15 2TH
- Salary :
- £109725.00 to £145478.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust
-
Obstetrics PA
Liverpool, L87SS
- Salary :
- £27485.00 to £30162.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Liverpool Women's NHS Foundation Trust
-
Consultant Gynaecologist with Interest in Endometriosis
Oxford, OX3 9DU
- Salary :
- £109725.00 to £145478.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
-
Consultant Gynaecologist with special interest in urogynaecology
Sheffield, S11 8UX
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- One Health Group
-
Gynaecology HCA
Warrington, WA2 7TT
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Bank
- Employer :
- 18 Week Support Limited
-
Gynaecology Consultant
Gloucester, GL1 3PX
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Locum
- Employer :
- HealthHarmonie
-
Sonographer Gynaecology
Bromsgrove, B61 0AZ
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Locum
- Employer :
- HealthHarmonie
-
Sonographer Gynaecology
Gloucester, GL1 3PX
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Locum
- Employer :
- HealthHarmonie
-
Sonographer Gynaecology
Doncaster, DN40TG
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Locum
- Employer :
- HealthHarmonie
-
Sonographer Gynaecology
Hereford, HR1 1BB
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Locum
- Employer :
- HealthHarmonie
-
Sonographer Gynaecology
Birmingham, B31 3HB
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Locum
- Employer :
- HealthHarmonie
-
Gynaecology Consultant
Glasgow, G51 4TF
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Locum
- Employer :
- Partnering Health Ltd
-
Sonographer Gynaecology
Dunston, ST18 9AB
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Locum
- Employer :
- HealthHarmonie
-
Gynaecology Consultant
Doncaster, DN40TG
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Locum
- Employer :
- HealthHarmonie
-
Consultant Gynaecologist with special interest in urogynaecology
Sheffield, S11 8UX
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- One Health Group
-
National Obstetric Clinical Fellow
Leeds, LS1 4AP
- Salary :
- £64455.00 to £74896.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- NHS Resolution
-
OBSTETRIC SONOGRAPHER-FLEXIBLE SHIFTS
Gloucester, GL1 3PX
- Salary :
- £70.00
- Type :
- Locum
- Employer :
- Medicare Insourcing Services Limited
-
Locum Consultant in Obstetrics
Birmingham, B15 2TG
- Salary :
- £105504.00 to £139882.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust
-
Clinical PA/Coordinator Obstetrics
Liverpool, L8 7SS
- Salary :
- £27485.00 to £30162.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Liverpool Women's NHS Foundation Trust
-
OBSTETRIC SONOGRAPHER-FLEXIBLE SHIFTS
Bath, BA2 3JB
- Salary :
- £70.00
- Type :
- Locum
- Employer :
- Medicare Insourcing Services Limited
-
Gynaecology Hysteroscopy Nurse
Ilford, IG1 2DG
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Bank
- Employer :
- 18 Week Support Limited
-
Gynaecology Ward Clerk
Oldham, OL1 2JH
- Salary :
- £24465.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust
-
Medical PA - Gynaecology
Colchester, CO4 5JL
- Salary :
- £27485.00 to £30162.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust
-
Gynaecology Hysteroscopy Nurse
Warrington, WA2 7FW
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Bank
- Employer :
- 18 Week Support Limited
-
Gynaecology Appointments Officer
PLYMOUTH, PL6 8DH
- Salary :
- £24465.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
-
Gynaecology Outpatients Receptionist
Haywards Heath, RH16 4EX
- Salary :
- £24937.00 to £26598.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)
-
Housekeeper - Gynaecology (Ward 3E)
Prescot, L35 5DR
- Salary :
- £24465.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
-
Gynaecology Clinical Nurse Specialist
Harrow, HA13UJ
- Salary :
- £53751.00 to £60651.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust
-
Locum Consultant Gynaecological Oncologist
Derby, DE22 3NE
- Salary :
- £105504.00 to £139882.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust
-
Pre-assessment Nurse - Gynaecology
Colchester, CO4 5JL
- Salary :
- £31049.00 to £37796.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust
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These organisations have further information about being a doctor in obstetrics and gynaecology, particularly as your career progresses. Take a look.
The Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare
Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists