Peninsula Postgraduate Medical Education has 12 National Training Numbers (NTN) in General Adult Psychiatry. Training placements are offered in three providing Trusts - Devon Partnership Trust, Livewell South West and Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. Of the three years in training, it is expected that at least one placement would be in a different organisation to the other two. The trainee’s placements would be agreed each year with the trainee and this would be based on the trainee’s learning needs, their choice, previous experience and availability of posts.
Generally the first year would be spent in a core ST post, which would include experience of managing both inpatients and outpatients and managing patients detained under the Mental Health Act. Years two and three (ST5 and 6) might be spent in more specialist areas, including endorsement subjects (rehabilitation, substance misuse, liaison psychiatry).
Each training post has a weekly time-table which includes one session per week for special interest and one session per week for research. These sessions should be agreed with your Educational Supervisor and Training Programme Director.
It is expected that each trainee would achieve the curriculum key capabilities described by the Royal College of Psychiatrists. These would be assessed at the Annual Review of key capabilities and Progression (ARCP).
All three Trusts have a commitment to teaching medical students from The University of Exeter Medical School and Plymouth University (Peninsula School of Medicine) and opportunities to teach other professional groups, GP’s, carer’s and patients groups, will also arise. The local MRCPsych course is also a good opportunity to gain experience.
Research activities should be discussed with your Educational Supervisor. This could either be your own project or part of a larger university or portfolio project. Each Trust has a research lead, who could be approached for further information and local opportunities.
The Curriculum requires demonstration of psychotherapy competencies and each Trust will have a Psychotherapy Tutor or lead and can be approached for advice. There is also the opportunity to spend a year training in the psychotherapy department in Exeter for those wishing to gain a deeper experience. Special interest sessions can also be used to enhance clinical skills in this area.
As a senior trainee you will be expected to partake in audit meetings and carry out your own audits on, at least, an annual basis.
You will be encouraged to get involved in a local management project e.g. service redesign, or other management projects. Some trainers have special interests or specific management roles, and would be happy to involve trainees. The deanery has a “Professional Skills Programme” for doctors in training, which is good opportunity for senior trainees to understand the wider issues and gain the training necessary to become a future Educational Supervisor, in the consultant role. This course is run by the Deanery. Other programmes are available including Edward Jenner Leadership programme run by the NHS.
The higher specialist trainees in general adult and old age psychiatry meet every two months for an educational day. These days are organised in rotation and the programmes are put together by the host trainee. This is an opportunity to meet regularly with peers. This usually includes a business meeting to discuss rotational issues, to which the Training Programme Director is invited. Other sources of support would include Clinical Educational Supervisor, Training Programme Director and more specialist support is available from Peninsula Postgraduate Medical Education.
Please see the role description page for further information on General Adult Psychiatry training.
Please see the School Structure page for Head of School, Training Programme Director, College Tutor and School Management contact details.