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Louis Fligelstone

Consultant Vascular Surgeon

Louis Fligelstone began his career in vascular surgery in 1991 as a registrar in the Vascular Unit at the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff. He obtained the FRCS from the Royal College of Surgeons of England in 1992. There followed a 2 year period of research into increased blood clotting and peripheral arterial disease, resulting in the award of the higher degree of MD from the University of Wales.

He was appointed to the Senior Registrar training programme in North West Thames in 1995. During more than 2 years in the internationally renowned  Charing Cross Vascular Unit, he obtained the Intercollegiate FRCS (Gen) in 1997.

In 1998 he was awarded the Certificate of Completion of Specialist Traning and entry to the Specialist Register of the General Medical Council (GMC).

He was appointed to a consultant post at Morriston Hospital in Swansea in 1998.

"Throughout all training posts and subsequently my career as a consultant I have enjoyed treating patients and training doctors, nurses, physician associates and surgeons of the future"

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Career Highlights

Dedication speaks volumes

Examiner Fellowship Royal College of Surgeons Vascular Surgery 2017 - 2023

Louis Fligelstone was appointed to examine for the specialist 'exit' examination in vascular surgery. This is a required qualification, for trainees to be eligible to apply for a consultant appointment in the United Kingdom.
He sits on the Joint Committee of Intercollegiate Examinations Board representing the Royal College of Surgeons of England, ensuring the standards of the examination are upheld

Regional Specialty Professional Adviser for Vascular Surgery to Wales​ 2015 - 2021

Louis Fligelstone is the representative of the Royal College of Surgeons of England in Wales, and advises on the delivery of vascular surgery in Wales and development of new consultant appointments

Quality Assurance Lead for Surgery to the Wales Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening Programme (WAAASP) 2015 -2023

Louis Fligelstone was the surgeon appointed by Public Health Wales to set up the Wales Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening Programme (WAAASP).

 

He now quality assures the delivery of vascular surgery in Wales for the treatment of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

Vascular Surgical Society of GB & Ireland - Council member 2016 - 2019

Chair of Annual Scientific Committee 2018-2021

Louis Fligelstone was elected to the Council of the Vascular Society of Great Britain and Ireland in 2016. This is the specialist association for Vascular Surgery.
He became an Executive Committee member of the Vascular Society and appointed to Chair the Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) committee.  The ASM committee designs and runs the annual conference to deliver education for consultants and trainees in vascular surgery. This is the main event in the vascular calendar for the United Kingdom.

Leadership & Quality Assurance

A driving theme

Clinical Director Surgery & Theatres 2016-2018
Clinical Lead for Vascular Surgery 2014-2017
ABM University Health Board

With a long history of clinical leadership Louis Fligelstone was appointed Clinical Lead, then promoted to Clinical Director. The duties included responsibility for many changes to service. The jewel in the crown was the development of the Vascular Network that serves South West Wales - initially a service comprising 3 consultants in 1998 serving the local population of Swansea. The service has developed to serve a population of circa  1 million, extending as far as Aberystwyth in the north west to Bridgend in the South East, and expanded to 9 consultants in 2018.

External examiner University of Oxford
2010 - 2021

Louis Fligelstone was appointed as an external examiner for the final surgical examinations for undergraduates at the University of Oxford. This responsibility followed previous examiner appointments at:

  • Imperial College of Science and Technology

  • Swansea University

  • Cardiff University.

The quality assurance of these exams ensures that standards are consistently high across all institutions

Swansea University

Senior Lecturer 2019 -

​Lecturer 2010 - 2019

Louis Fligelstone's experience of teaching and examining, has helped design, and deliver education about vascular disease at Swansea University to:

  • Graduate Entry Medical (GEM) students

  • Physician Associates (PA) students

  • Postgraduate Masters students in wound healing

The medical school in Swanses ranks in the top five in the Guardian UK Medical School table.​

Examiner Fellowship of the European Board of Vascular Surgery (FEBVS) 2010 - present

Louis Fligelstone was appointed examiner for the FEBVS, the exit examinatioin required in many European countries for appointment to a consultant post. It attracts many overseas candidates from around the globe.
Examining for multiple boards ensures equality of standards across a large part of the world.

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