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Paediatric surgery

Paediatric surgeons work with young patients – from premature and unborn babies to children and young adults up to the age of 19.

You’ll have a very varied and sometimes unpredictable workload including surgery, attending outpatient clinics and hospital ward rounds and looking after both your young patients and their families. 

Surgeon in operating room

Life as a paediatric surgeon 

You’ll carry out more general forms of surgery such as abdominal, trauma or transplantation surgery, as well as specialist procedures such as neonatal [1] surgery, often for congenital abnormalities. You might also perform complex surgery on children with disabilities to improve their quality of life.

Just over 10% of operations on children are carried out by paediatric surgeons with the majority being performed by other specialist surgeons in fields such as orthopaedic, plastic and ENT (ear, nose and throat) surgery. 

Some consultants have an interest in fields such as paediatric orthopaedics or neurosurgery, but they come from these surgical training routes, rather than paediatric surgery. You’ll work in partnership with these colleagues, either in dedicated children’s hospitals or in paediatric surgical units within larger hospitals.

You’ll also attend outpatient clinics and ward rounds where you’ll meet your patients and their parents or carers. An important part of your work will be reassuring and advising concerned parents and carers which can be rewarding as well as emotionally demanding.

Your clinical workload will mainly cover day cases. The amount of emergency surgery and on-call work you’ll do is relatively low compared to other specialties.

How much can I earn?

You’ll first earn a salary when you start your foundation training [2] after medical school.  Find out details of current salary ranges for foundation and specialty training, SAS doctors [3] and consultants on the 'Pay for doctors' [4] 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.

"An early rotation in general surgery provided me with the opportunity to help with operations. I loved the work and also enjoyed working alongside such dedicated and hard-working colleagues and decided to pursue a career in surgery."

Read Kathryn's story [5]. 

What are my chances of starting a career in paediatric surgery?

In 2021, there were 205 paediatric surgeons working in the NHS in England. In addition, there were 80 applications for 12 specialty training places. 

How to become a paediatric surgeon

After medical school, you’ll join the paid two-year foundation programme [6] where you’ll work in six placements in different settings.

After your foundation programme, you can apply for paid specialty training [7] to become a paediatric surgeon, which will take a minimum of eight 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 as a paediatric surgeon can take you

You could:
  • specialise or conduct research in areas such as neonatal [1] surgery, paediatric urology, and paediatric oncology [8]
  • teach medical students or postgraduate students in training 
  • get involved in research at universities, the NHS or private sector
  • Find a vacancy

    • Consultant Paediatric Spinal Surgeon

      London, WC1N 3JH

      Salary:
      £105504.00 to £139882.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Consultant Paediatric Spinal Surgeon job (opens in a new window) [9]
    • Fellow in Paediatric Surgery

      Leeds, LS1 3EX

      Salary:
      £70425.00
      Type:
      Fixed-Term
      Employer:
      Leeds Teaching Hospitals
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Fellow in Paediatric Surgery job (opens in a new window) [10]
    • Training Programme Director for Paediatric Surgery

      Leeds/Rotherham/Hull, LS1 4PL

      Salary:
      Negotiable
      Type:
      Secondment
      Employer:
      NHS England
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Training Programme Director for Paediatric Surgery job (opens in a new window) [11]
    • Consultant Anaesthetist with interest in Paediatric Spinal Surgery

      Oxford, OX3 9DU

      Salary:
      £105504.00 to £139882.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Consultant Anaesthetist with interest in Paediatric Spinal Surgery job (opens in a new window) [12]
    • Clinical Psychologist in Cleft and Paediatric Plastic Surgery

      Nottingham, NG5 1PB

      Salary:
      £53755.00 to £60504.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trusts
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Clinical Psychologist in Cleft and Paediatric Plastic Surgery job (opens in a new window) [13]
    • Paediatric Audiologist

      London, E15 4PT

      Salary:
      £42939.00 to £50697.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      Barts Health NHS Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Paediatric Audiologist job (opens in a new window) [14]
    • Paediatric Audiologist

      Widnes, WA8 3LZ

      Salary:
      £29970.00 to £36483.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      Bridgewater Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Paediatric Audiologist job (opens in a new window) [15]
    • Paediatric Phlebotomist

      Donnington, Telford, TF2 8EA

      Salary:
      £24465.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Paediatric Phlebotomist job (opens in a new window) [16]
    • Paediatric Audiologist

      Ilford, IG1 2PF

      Salary:
      £42939.00 to £50697.00
      Type:
      Fixed-Term
      Employer:
      Barts Health NHS Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Paediatric Audiologist job (opens in a new window) [17]
    • Paediatric Audiologist

      Manchester, M13 9WL

      Salary:
      £46148.00 to £52809.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Paediatric Audiologist job (opens in a new window) [18]
    • Paediatric Audiologist

      London, E1 1FR

      Salary:
      £44806.00 to £53134.00
      Type:
      Fixed-Term
      Employer:
      Barts Health NHS Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Paediatric Audiologist job (opens in a new window) [19]
    • Consultant - Paediatrics

      Truro, TR1 3LJ

      Salary:
      £105504.00 to £139882.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Consultant - Paediatrics job (opens in a new window) [20]
    • Trust Doctor in General Paediatrics and Paediatric Specialties

      Leeds, LS1 3EX

      Salary:
      £49909.00
      Type:
      Fixed-Term
      Employer:
      Leeds Teaching Hospitals
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Trust Doctor in General Paediatrics and Paediatric Specialties job (opens in a new window) [21]
    • Locum Consultant Surgeon in Oral & Maxillo Facial Surgery

      London, E9 6SR

      Salary:
      £105504.00 to £139882.00
      Type:
      Fixed-Term
      Employer:
      Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Locum Consultant Surgeon in Oral & Maxillo Facial Surgery job (opens in a new window) [22]
    • Senior Paediatric Audiologist

      Maidstone/ Gravesend/ Sevenoaks, ME17 4AH

      Salary:
      £37338.00 to £44962.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Senior Paediatric Audiologist job (opens in a new window) [23]
    • Paediatric Liaison Lead

      Tewkesbury, GL20 5QN

      Salary:
      £46148.00 to £52809.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Paediatric Liaison Lead job (opens in a new window) [24]
    • Paediatric Recovery Practitioner

      East Grinstead, RH19 3DZ

      Salary:
      £35392.00 to £42618.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      Queen Victoria Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Paediatric Recovery Practitioner job (opens in a new window) [25]
    • Senior Paediatric Audiologist

      Kettering, NN16 8UZ

      Salary:
      £37338.00 to £44962.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Senior Paediatric Audiologist job (opens in a new window) [26]
    • Ward Clerk - Paediatrics

      Wolverhampton, WV10 0QP

      Salary:
      £24169.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Ward Clerk - Paediatrics job (opens in a new window) [27]
    • Advanced Paediatric Audiologist

      Basildon, SS16 5NL

      Salary:
      £47810.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Advanced Paediatric Audiologist job (opens in a new window) [28]
    • Consultant Paediatric Nephrologist

      Cardiff, CF14 4XW

      Salary:
      £106000.00 to £154760.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      Cardiff and Vale University Health Board
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Consultant Paediatric Nephrologist job (opens in a new window) [29]
    • Community Paediatric Audiologist

      Stockport, SK2 7JE

      Salary:
      Negotiable
      Type:
      Fixed-Term
      Employer:
      HealthHarmonie
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Community Paediatric Audiologist job (opens in a new window) [30]
    • Lead Pharmacist Paediatrics

      Taunton, TA1 5DA
      Yeovil, BA21 4AT

      Salary:
      £62215.00 to £72293.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      Somerset NHS Foundation Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Lead Pharmacist Paediatrics job (opens in a new window) [31]
    • Specialty Doctor - Paediatrics

      Swindon, SN3 6BB

      Salary:
      £59175.00 to £95400.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Specialty Doctor - Paediatrics job (opens in a new window) [32]
    • Specialty Doctor - Paediatrics

      Swindon, SN3 6BB

      Salary:
      £59175.00 to £95400.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Specialty Doctor - Paediatrics job (opens in a new window) [32]
    • Paediatric Accommodation Manager

      London, W2 1NY

      Salary:
      £35964.00 to £43780.00
      Type:
      Fixed-Term
      Employer:
      Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Paediatric Accommodation Manager job (opens in a new window) [33]
    • Community Paediatric Audiologist

      Stockport, SK2 7JE

      Salary:
      Negotiable
      Type:
      Fixed-Term
      Employer:
      HealthHarmonie
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Community Paediatric Audiologist job (opens in a new window) [34]
    • Senior Audiologist (Paediatrics)

      Rotherham, S601RY

      Salary:
      £37338.00 to £44962.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Senior Audiologist (Paediatrics) job (opens in a new window) [35]
    • Senior Paediatric Radiographer

      Brighton, BN2 5BE

      Salary:
      £37338.00 to £44962.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Senior Paediatric Radiographer job (opens in a new window) [36]
    • Clinical Matron - Paediatrics

      Bath, BA1 3NG

      Salary:
      £53755.00 to £60504.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Clinical Matron - Paediatrics job (opens in a new window) [37]
    • Paediatric Ward Clerk

      York, YO31 8HE

      Salary:
      £24169.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Paediatric Ward Clerk job (opens in a new window) [38]
    • Specialist Doctor - Paediatrics

      Swindon, SN3 6BB

      Salary:
      £96990.00 to £107155.00
      Type:
      Permanent
      Employer:
      Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
      Apply now on NHS Jobs for Specialist Doctor - Paediatrics job (opens in a new window) [39]
  • These organisations have further information about being a paediatric surgeon, particularly as your career progresses. Take a look.

    British Association of Paediatric Surgeons [40]

    Royal College of Surgeons [41]

    Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh [42]

    Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow [43]

Other roles that may interest you

  • Paediatrician [44]
  • General surgery [45]
  • Dermatology [46]
  • Knowledge and library services [47]

Source URL:https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/doctors/roles-doctors/surgery/paediatric-surgery

Links
[1] https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/glossary#Neonatal [2] https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/glossary#Foundation_training [3] https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/doctors/career-opportunities-doctors/sas-doctors [4] https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/doctors/pay-doctors [5] https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/doctors/roles-doctors/surgery/paediatric-surgery/real-life-story-miss-kathryn-evans [6] https://foundationprogramme.nhs.uk/ [7] https://specialtytraining.hee.nhs.uk/ [8] https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/glossary#Oncology [9] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9271-25-0365 [10] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9298-MED-752 [11] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/M9990-25-0183 [12] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9321-25-0600 [13] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9164-25-1173 [14] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9259-25-1329 [15] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9835-HC25-006a [16] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9825-25-0148 [17] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9259-25-1255 [18] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9349-25-1591 [19] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9259-25-1321 [20] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9156-25-0276 [21] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9298-MED-753 [22] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9293-25-0266 [23] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9846-25-0365 [24] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9327-25-0511 [25] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9276-25-0125 [26] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9264-25-0213 [27] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9225-25-0230 [28] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9390-25-1210 [29] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/H9001-25-0431 [30] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/U0024-25-0036STO [31] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9184-25-0905 [32] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9249-25-0249 [33] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9290-25-0639 [34] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/U0024-25-0035STO [35] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9165-25-02-042A [36] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9279-25-1068 [37] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9427-25-0340 [38] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9419-25-0517 [39] https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9249-25-0250 [40] http://www.baps.org.uk [41] http://www.rcseng.ac.uk/ [42] http://www.rcsed.ac.uk [43] http://www.rcpsg.ac.uk [44] https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/doctors/roles-doctors/paediatrics/paediatrician [45] https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/doctors/roles-doctors/surgery/general-surgery [46] https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/doctors/roles-doctors/medicine/dermatology [47] https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/health-informatics/roles-health-informatics/knowledge-and-library-services