GP Vocational Training Scheme

The GP training is spread across two schemes in this area, the Brighton scheme and the Mid Sussex scheme. During ST1 and ST2 trainees from both schemes undertake 4-monthly posts in both, Brighton and Haywards Heath hospitals as well as surgeries in the surrounding communities.

One of the ST1 posts is General Practice, with the opportunity to apply for an ITP (Integrated Training Post), spending part of the week in another speciality e.g. Palliative Care or Dermatology. The remaining posts may include a mix of A&E, Medicine, Paediatrics, Gynaecology, Psychiatry, Orthopaedics, ENT, Sexual Health and HIV medicine.

The entire ST3 year is spent at a GP training practice, which will be a different surgery to the trainee’s ST1 GP post. This 12-month placement enables trainees to become part of a team and gain the necessary insight and skills for qualification. Trainees have the opportunity to extend the ST3 year to build expertise in research, education or commissioning. VTS teaching is half a day per week followed by a half day of private study, and is spread across three 10-week terms. It is held within the allocated scheme, either Brighton or Mid Sussex, and both have consistently received positive feedback on the quality of teaching and support from the Programme Directors.

The mornings are normally split into two sessions, group discussions and updates from the Programme Directors, followed by a talk from speakers covering many topics including Diabetes, Respiratory and Neurology. Teaching is mandatory whilst in a GP post but trainees in hospital posts are always welcome to come whenever they are granted study leave. There is a joint residen-

GP VOCATIONAL TRAINING SCHEME

WHAT OUR TRAINEES SAY Dr Joshua Rubenstein

I fully recommend coming to Brighton and MidSussex for your GP training.

From the start I knew I was in good hands. The programme directors took care to allocate me to posts according to my previous experience.

As well as being exposed to the ‘traditional’ hospital specialties one would expect from a GP training

tial biannually, covering practical topics such as resilience and job applications, and providing a fun opportunity to get to know each other.

Communication and support is an essential part of VTS. Every trainee will be allocated an Educational Supervisor, who will be a GP Trainer and the trainer they work alongside in ST3. They will also be assigned a Clinical Supervisor for each 4 month rotation to support them during their time in that specialty.

Each year group, in both Brighton and Mid Sussex schemes, has one or two trainee representatives that attend meetings on the trainee’s behalf. They raise issues at Local Faculty Group meetings which are held three times a year. They also arrange socials, normal-

scheme, my ITP at one of the local CCGs gave me experience in clinical commissioning. Such a tailored educational experience ensures that I am leaving the scheme with both, a solid clinical foundation, as well as new avenues to explore in my future career.

As a trainee representative, I have witnessed first-hand the strong local commitment to improving training based on junior doctors’ feedback. Additionally, the Guardian of Safe Working is very active and engaged with junior doctors here.

But it’s not all about work. The city of Brighton and Hove is vibrant, liberal and by the sea; leafy Mid-Sussex offers chocolate-box villages, the South Downs, and excellent cycling and walking routes. Wherever you decide to live, there is something for everyone here.

ly in a Brighton pub, where trainees from all years and both schemes have a chance to meet up in an informal environment.

The Trust also operates a ‘buddy’ scheme where each trainee is linked up to another GP trainee in the year above, who can be contacted for advice and support.

Trainees also receive monthly newsletters that discuss issues including teaching, up and coming courses and VTS dates. Brighton and Mid Sussex have their own websites with relevant information, news and contact details. Each scheme also has their own GP Faculty Administrator who is there to assist them throughout their time in VTS.