Dermatology Training Programme in Wessex

It is anticipated that successful candidates will rotate through different departments on the training programme over the 4 years. Due to variation in numbers of training posts in the different hospitals on the Wessex Dermatology rotation, this means that in some cases trainees will spend time in Christchurch and Royal Bournemouth Hospitals, Poole Hospital, St Mary’s and Queen Alexandra Hospitals in Portsmouth and Royal South Hants and Southampton General Hospitals. There are 10 clinical posts. (4 in each of Southampton and Portsmouth, one in Poole and one in Bournemouth). All trainees will spent at least 2 years in either Portsmouth or Southampton and at least one year in Poole or Bournemouth. 

In order to ensure that trainees receive appropriate subspecialty exposure, all trainees will spend a period of time in either St Mary’s and Queen Alexandra Hospitals or Royal South Hants and Southampton General Hospitals. In cases where the trainee in an NIHR-funded Academic Clinical Fellow, most of the clinical training takes place in the Royal South Hants and Southampton General Hospitals where the Academic department of Dermatology is situated. In general, the individual posts in each location are 12 months in length, and the changeover between time spent in one location and another (or in one post and another in the same location) takes place during the first week in August each year. However, in some hospitals, the trainees’ timetable may be altered after 6 months to allow the trainees to gain sufficient exposure to various subspecialty components in accordance with the requirements of the curriculum. 

The primary aim of all posts is to fulfil the training programme. There is a region wide syllabus and minimum standards of education agreed by all Education Providers within the rotation. 

Health Education England – Wessex is committed to developing postgraduate training programmes as laid down by GMC, Colleges and Faculties and by COPMED – the Postgraduate Deans Network. At local level college and specialty tutors work with the Programme Director and Directors of Medical Education in supervising these programmes. Trainees will be expected to take part in these programmes (including audit) and to attend meetings with their nominated educational supervisor. 

All posts within the training programme are recognised for postgraduate training by the General Medical Council (GMC) in accordance with their standards for training. 

Study leave is granted in accordance with Health Education England – Wessex and Education Provider policy and are subject to the maintenance of the service. 

All posts have a service element and the following covers the majority of duties. There will be minor variations in different hospitals but the list is aimed at covering the majority of duties: 

Supervise, monitor and assist the House Officer Foundation Year 1 (F1) or Core Training Year 2 (CT2) in the day-to-day management of in-patients in posts with an attached F1. 

Liaise between nurses, F1 and Foundation Year 2 (F2) Doctors, patients, relatives and senior medical staff. 

Attend and participate in ward rounds as timetabled 

Attend outpatient clinics and surgical lists. 

Take part in rostered emergency work. 

Dictate discharge summaries. 

Study for higher examination and maintain continued professional development.

Attend weekly educational and multidisciplinary sessions. 

Undertake audit at various times throughout the rotations. 

Teach medical students, nurses and junior doctors as directed. 

Co-operate with members of the personnel department when monitoring hours of work and other personnel issues. 

Attend induction in each hospital or new department 

Comply with all local policies including dress code, annual and study leave

Health Education England – Wessex Dermatology rotates between four sites (Southampton, Portsmouth, Bournemouth and Poole). All have Dermatology departments with dedicated outpatients and surgical theatres, day treatment areas and office accommodation.

All departments have access to text books and journals and library facilities. All timetables contain a mixture of medical and surgical dermatology and general and sub-specialist clinics. There is time for administration and research. On call covers Portsmouth and Southampton hospitals. The trainees cover their own hospitals during the week (1 in 5). The Bournemouth trainee takes part in the Southampton on call rota. 

Health Education England – Wessex provide experience in all aspects of the Dermatology curriculum. Trainees are however encouraged to attend national training courses in (e.g. photobiology, contact dermatitis, and paediatric dermatology) and are encouraged to attend SpR training days. 

The academic Dermatology Unit in Southampton provides training in research techniques to those trainees who which to gain this experience. Southampton has a good record of securing academic training posts and funding for research. 

All centres actively recruit into national NIHR dermatology studies and provide experience in clinical trials. 

Specialist registrars are encouraged to present their work at national and international conferences. 

The Health Education England – Wessex Dermatology Rotation covers all aspects of training outlined in the Speciality Training Curriculum for Dermatology (August 2010). 

This rotation provides a good grounding in general Dermatology. All departments provide excellent clinical experience. In addition all the subspecialty areas in the curriculum are covered across the four hospitals. 

Medical Dermatology
Management of Chronic Disease/Pharmacology & Therapeutics
Infectious Diseases & Infestations of the skin
Dermatopathology
Dermatological Surgery
Skin Oncology/Radiotherapy & Skin Cancer
Dressings and Wound Care
Skin Allergy
Paediatric Dermatology
Genetics
Genito Urinary Medicine related to Dermatology
Ethical Research
Evidence-Based Medicine & Guidelines/Audit
Medical Leadership 

The Health Education England – Wessex rotation involves hospitals which provide excellent clinical exposure and a strong tradition of medical dermatology. All departments have clinics or meetings where complex cases are discussed. 

Surgical experience is highly regarded due to the large number of Dermatology Surgeons, the high rate of skin cancer and the presence of Mohs’ surgery in the rotation. A surgery post CCT Fellow also works in Portsmouth and helps with surgical teaching. Dermatopathology teaching is provided by Dermatopathologists in all hospitals. 

All trainees are released on Thursday afternoons and are expected to attend the monthly regional Solent Skin Meetings, teaching at Southampton and the Dermatology section at the Royal Society of Medicine. 

Wessex trainees have established their own training days which are directed and organised by themselves. There are encouraged to mentor new trainees who join the rotation and a spirit of learning from each other is fostered. 

The posts are whole-time and the appointments are subject to: 

The Terms and Conditions of Service for NHS Doctors and Dentists in Training.
Satisfactory registration with the General Medical Council. 
Right to work in the UK.
Criminal Records Check/POCA check carried out by the Education Provider’s Medical HR department.
Pre-employment checks carried out by the Education Provider’s Medical HR department

The Education Provider will confirm your educational supervisor on commencement of your training programme.