The East Dorset programme is split into two more distinct programmes (Poole and Bournemouth) offering varied rotations including hospital, integrated training and general practice posts with excellent educational opportunities. Hospital rotations for East Dorset will be within the UHD (University Hospitals Dorset) estate or St Ann’s hospital. The East Dorset GP practice area covers Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch as well as Ringwood, Verwood, Ferndown, Wimborne and Cranborne areas.

GPST2 trainees can also participate in a programme of organised clinics to broaden your clinical experience whilst in GP placements.

Bournemouth is a vibrant, cosmopolitan, university town with great nightlife. You can relax on the beach or located by is the picturesque New Forest with its wide variety of walks, cycle routes and recreational activities. Poole has the best beaches in England (ok, maybe we are biased, but come and have a look for yourself!) and a stunning harbour.

Mid Dorset hospital rotations are primarily based at Dorset County hospital in Dorchester with some rotations at Westhaven hospital, with integrated training posts based within community teams and GP practices.

GP practice placements for this programme are located in Swanage, Wareham, Blandford, Gillingham, Shaftesbury and Poole with other practices in this area in smaller towns and villages. Occasionally you may be placed in West Dorset GP practices or integrated training posts.

West Dorset hospital rotations as like Mid Dorset are based at Dorset County hospital in Dorchester with some rotations based at Westhaven hospital, with integrated training posts (ITPs) based within community teams and GP practices.

The local GP training practices are spread between the urban areas of Weymouth and Dorchester, and to the more rural areas of West and North Dorset (including Sherborne, Bridport and Milton Abbas as well as others), occasionally placements may be in the Mid Dorset programme area.

Hospital rotations for both Mid and West Dorset may include Emergency Medicine, Paediatrics, O&G, Ophthalmology, ENT, Elderly Medicine, Palliative Medicine, Cardiology or Community Elderly Care.

Dorset is an area of outstanding beauty and is famous for its sailing, windsurfing, diving and many other water sports. There are many beautiful coastal and inland walks in the surrounding countryside and the county town of Dorchester is steeped in history.