Basildon VTS

These schemes are currently combined for the half day release but, as of 1 Aug 2006, the scheme will split again.

Basildon Scheme

The 3 year Vocational Training Scheme for General Practice has been running in Basildon since the early 1970s. The scheme has four 3 year and two 2 year vacancies each year, starting on 1st August. In the first year six months is spent in Paediatrics and six months in Obstetrics and Gynaecology follwoed by A&E and one of either general medicine or psychiatry. The third year comprises a year in a local training practice.

The Basildon half day release course caters for GP Registrar's from the Oldchurch, Rush Green, and Basildon Hospitals. Historically the scheme have met at Basildon Hospital for reasons of mutual support and economy of resources. The size of the group varies from 14-20 depending on appointments by local trainers.

The half day seminars are held on Tuesday from 2-5pm, and sessions are formatted to allow for maximum GP Registrar participation. The ‘Course Organisers’ principle aim is to run a stimulating and interesting course. Ideas from GP Registrars, Trainers and the Organisers themselves are incorporated into curriculum planning.

The philosophy which underpins the organisation of the half-day releases course can be summarised as follows:-

To provide a stimulating and interesting course, introducing GP Registrars to real General Practice with all its diverse challenges.

To encourage the development of a lifelong questioning attitude in medical life to keep General Practice as challenging and rewarding as possible.

To introduce the concept of patient centred medicine operating within a physical, social and psychological framework.

To help GP Registrar's consider their own attitudes and feelings to prevent them acting as impediments to good care.

To give an initial insight into counseling skills and their application to General Practice. How do we cope ourselves, define strategies and then cope with patients who make us feel angry, hopeless, helpless and frustrated?

To consider areas of the medical curriculum which have a major impact on General Practice, e.g. Dermatology, Ophthalmology and ENT and provide interesting learning material.

To provide support for individual GP Registrars, where appropriate, individual educational counseling.

Above all we try to enjoy ourselves throughout the year

Romford Scheme

The hospital component of this scheme is based in Havering Hospital Trust which comprises Harold Wood and Oldchurch Hospitals. The Psychiatry posts are based at Warley Hospitals. There are two combinations of four six month posts. These are:

Accident & Emergency, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Paediatrics, Psychiatry

Accident & Emergency, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Geriatric Medicine and Rheumatology, Psychiatry

In these posts there is a programme of departmental teaching in which GP registrars participate. Sometimes it is not possible due to rota requirements for doctors to attend the GP VTS half-day scheme, in which case it is very important for them to attend such departmental teaching. They are also encouraged to attend the regional fast-track weeks, when they may take study leave.

The half-day course takes place on Tuesday afternoons at Basildon Hospital and is combined with the Basildon scheme.

These sessions give the registrars time to meet with their colleagues from other areas. The meetings follow the academic year of three terms; there are therefore about 30 sessions in the year. There is a rolling curriculum covering a wide range of GP oriented topics. Many of the regular speakers are GPs; sometimes consultant colleagues lead the sessions. There is input from non-medical experts, e.g. counsellors, complementary practitioners. There is an emphasis on adult learning, for example, using tasks and group learning, and not replying solely on the traditional lecture format.

There are currently 8 training practices in Barking & Havering providing 9 posts for GP registrars in their practice year. The practices are of differing types, e.g. single-handed and group, fundholding and non-fundholding.

The London Boroughs of Barking & Dagenham and Havering have a plentiful supply of housing to rent or buy. The Boroughs have many satisfactory schools. Communication by rail and road to other parts of London and Essex, and access to the motorway system are very straightforward. There are many opportunities and facilities in the two Boroughs to leisure, sporting and cultural activities.