Training Opportunities

Ipswich and Colchester hospitals operate a ‘hot’ and ‘cold’ week system where each hospital takes it in turns to be on-call. As a result, the training opportunities differ each week. During ‘hot weeks’ (oncall weeks), the volume of patients seen is typically higher than on ‘cold weeks’.

During ‘hot weeks’ trainees will take referrals from GPs and the hospital that is on ‘cold week’. This allows for a lot of independence with appropriate support from senior doctors. The on-call SHO will take referrals, reviews patients and make initial management plans.

There are plenty of opportunities for trainees to practice clinical procedures. These include microsuction, popewick insertion/ removal, flexible nasendoscopy (FNE), nasal packing, nasal cautery, foreign body removal, quinsy aspiration and abscess incision and drainage. Foundation doctors and core trainees who are new to the department will receive an induction at the beginning of their placement which includes training in some of these procedures.

During ‘cold weeks’ the volume of inpatients is typically lower than on ‘hot weeks’. As a result, there are extra opportunities for career and portfolio development including attending theatre lists, clinics, audits and quality improvement projects.

Trainees have regular scheduled time to attend and lead clinics with the support of consultants. There are core trainee and registrar clinics scheduled for almost every afternoon.

“The ENT team are the kindest and most understanding team, they are always happy to help and teach. There is an excellent work-life balance with enough time for career development opportunities. ” Dr Rana Batir