Other training and development opportunities for doctors

Three members of staff surrounding a training dummy's bed observing and making notes

We have lots of training and development opportunites - if you want to know more, expand the sections below.

Internal Medicine Training (IMT)

Internal Medicine Training (IMT) is a 3 year programme aimed at giving doctors a wide breadth of knowledge across all medical specialties, in combination with procedural skills, to enable doctors to have a good general medical background to become the medical registrar.

IMT procedural skills

A one-day course aimed at entry level medical training (IMT1 & IMT2s) the procedural skills course includes basic ultrasound, medical chest drain insertion, central line insertion, nasogastric tube insertion, paracentesis, lumbar puncture, pleural trap, and gloving and gowning. 

COMETS (Core Medical Emergency Training using Simulation)

The COMETS course is a full day of simulation training in the recognition and management of acutely ill patients for core medical trainees. The course objectives are designed to meet learners’ needs for technical and non-technical skills. 

All IMT trainees have the support of a dedicated Royal College Tutor RCT and Associate College Tutor who provide guidance and mentorship for trainees.   

  • ad hoc PACES teaching supervised by registrars and consultants 
  • peer-led tailored bedside PACES teaching
  • quarterly practical procedure training courses for all cadre of doctors
  • daily consultant led ward rounds.

Exam success

In 2023 100% of trainees undertaking MRCP(UK) PACES exam at Southend and Basildon Hospitals successfully passed.  This is significantly above the national average for these exams.  

Dr Taofeek Ojewuyi, who is a Royal College tutor for medicine said:

It speaks to the quality of training provided and I hope this will encourage more doctors to finish their MRCP training with us.

Dr Nikhil Kadam who is an internal medicine trainee and an Associate Royal College tutor, said:

Passing these exams is great because it means I can now continue my higher training in a subspecialty. Dr Ojewuyi and his team have been brilliant in supporting us. 

We provide mock PACES exams to assist in preparing them for their PACES exam, as well as hosting the third diet of the PACES exam for the Royal College of Physicians every year at Basildon.

The Chair of Examiners for the third diet of PACES, 2023, Dr Mahir Hamad, said “Basildon Hospital is the best organised and hospitable PACES centre that I had chaired over the years. The medical education staff and Host examiners should be congratulated on the seamless organisation and managing the flow of the examination. This truly sets them apart and I would be delighted to come again as Chair.”

Anybody requiring further information on this programme should speak to a member of the medical education team. 

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GP Specialty Training

We have over 250 GPs currently in training across our Trust.  Our GPs in training are supported locally via GP administrators (based in the site education centres)  along with the Training Programme Directors who are GPs working within the community.  

Hospital based clinical supervisors will be a first point of contact during the 12 month hospital training year and an allocated educational supervisor (community GP) is always available for any educational queries or support. 

Half day release takes place each Wednesday afternoon during term time and is predominantly held in our education centres.   

Links to each sites GPST programme are below: 

Contact details

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Higher trainees (CT/ST doctors)

We provide an environment for higher trainees to engage in advanced clinical practice, academic and leadership roles, and their commitment to ongoing professional development ensures that trainees receive tailored support, enabling them to excel in their chosen specialties.  

For higher specialty internal medicine trainees, the focus shifts towards refining expertise and specialization. Registrars can attend local and regional general medicine training days all throughout the year e.g. in the Trust the NHSE Regional Respiratory Day, Regional Acute Medicine day, Regional Acute Care Common Stem (ACCS) Training Day, and Regional Cardiothoracic Centre (CTC) Cardiology Day are hosted. They also can run departmental teaching in the form of Journal Clubs and small group presentations.  

Below is an example of the range of different courses that are offered to core trainees/higher specialty trainees:  

  • FAMUS (Focused Acute Medical Ultrasound) course 
  • Basic surgical skills 
  • Surgical wet lab training 
  • Endoscopy 

Interested?

If interested in any of these courses, email mse.simulation.suite.btuh@nhs.net or call 01268 524900 using extension 8927, 8643 or 4676. 

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Medical Training Initiative (MTI)

We are proud to offer doctors from various countries opportunities to expand their knowledge and skills in a variety of specialties via the MTI programme. This scheme utilises unfilled training capacity within the NHS, to allow eligible International Medical Graduates (IMGs) to gain from opportunities on offer. The training received by IMGs will follow the CCT curriculum.

The level at which, and the specific training available, will depend upon the IMGs competence, the IMG’s specific interests, and training available within the placement hospital Trust.  

Detailed below are various links depending on which specialty a doctor is interested in: 

Testimonial 

My journey with the MTI programme has been nothing short of transformative. Walking into a new healthcare system was initially daunting, but the Trust welcomed me with open arms

What truly stands out here is the incredible support from my colleagues and every staff member. Integration into the system has been seamless, with everyone willing to lend a listening ear and a helping hand when needed. My supervisors have been pillars of support, guiding me every step of the way. 

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Specialty doctors and specialist grade doctors (SAS)

We have over 200 specialty doctors and specialist grade doctors (SAS).

Each site has a dedicated college tutor for support. 

SAS doctors also have the opportunity to participate in courses throughout the year to enhance their profile: 

  • A tailored induction programme for locally-employed doctors on joining, which covers practical aspects such as the structure of teams, the wards, IT/digital systems, as well as signposting to important resources such as trust guidelines, NICE guidelines, etc. 
  • Enhanced Induction for International Medical Graduates (Organised by NHSE) 
  • Clinical Skills Course  
  • Simulation Course  
  • Simulation Course (COMET)  
  • Focused Acute Medicine Ultrasound Course.

In the recent years we have organised courses for communication skills, interview skills, teaching courses for which we have received overwhelmingly positive feedback. 

In addition to these opportunities, as important members of the medical team, SAS doctors are invited to the same training/CPD sessions as other training-grade doctors, such as: 

  • Weekly Medical Grand Rounds and departmental teaching sessions 
  • Audit Meeting 
  • Opportunities for teaching junior doctors (Foundation doctors) and medical students 
  • Opportunities to participate in local audits/ QIPs.

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Locally Employed Doctors (LEDs)

We have approximately 500 Locally Employed Doctors (LEDs).

The LEDs also have the opportunity to participate in courses throughout the year to enhance their profile: 

  • A tailored induction programme for locally-employed doctors on joining, which covers practical aspects such as the structure of teams, the wards, IT/digital systems, as well as signposting to important resources such as trust guidelines, NICE guidelines, etc. 
  • Enhanced Induction for International Medical Graduates (Organised by NHSE) 
  • Clinical Skills Course  
  • Simulation Course  
  • IMT Procedural Skills Course  
  • Simulation Course (COMET)  
  • Focused Acute Medicine Ultrasound Course.

In the recent years we have organised courses for communication skills, interview skills, teaching courses for which we have received overwhelmingly positive feedback. 

In addition to these opportunities, as important members of the medical team, LEDs are invited to the same training/CPD sessions as other training-grade doctors, such as: 

  • Weekly Medical Grand Rounds and departmental teaching sessions 
  • Audit Meeting 
  • Opportunities for teaching junior doctors (Foundation doctors) and medical students 
  • Opportunities to participate in local audits/ QIPs.

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Clinical Observerships

We have an active Clinical Observer programme in place which allows doctors wishing to return to clinical practice after a prolonged absence or to overseas qualified doctors wishing to continue their career in the UK.

Each placement is generally for four weeks with the observer being under the supervision of a named consultant. Many departments across the Trust participate and support applications from Clinical Observers.  

Importantly, this is strictly an observership role, therefore whilst in the Trust on a Clinical Observer placement, appointees must not under any circumstances:  

  • Undertake any medical or surgical procedures 
  • Write in the healthcare records or print patient hand over sheets.  
  • Initiate, alter or stop the treatment of a patient on the appointee’s diagnosis.  
  • Prescribe, request radiological examinations or other diagnostic investigations or order blood to be cross matched; if the appointee completes an order form for any of these purposes it must be signed by one of the supervising doctors before it is executed.  
  • Take part in obtaining or witnessing the signature by or on behalf of a patient on a form of consent for treatment.  
  • Assist in the operating theatre or carry out the operation or procedure themselves. Observers may attend the operating theatre as an observer only, providing they are under direct supervision. 

The Clinical Observership programme is very popular so applications need to be made well in advance.

Interested? 

If you are interested in knowing more, contact either: 

Please note Basildon Hospital is currently not able to offer clinical observerships.  

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