There is a wealth of experience on offer for Forensic Psychiatry trainees in Wessex.
There are 5 higher training posts in forensic psychiatry in Wessex. There is also an additional training number as part of a pilot programme to introduce experience in more rural areas. Training posts available include pure forensic but also dual forensic and general adult and also dual forensic and child and adolescent.
The Wessex region is home to a large number of forensic units and also two prisons. The regional secure unit is Ravenswood House in Fareham which features both medium and low secure wards. There is a wealth of other forensic units on the Tatchbury Mount site in Southampton. Inpatient forensic psychiatry work in Wessex will provide trainees with experience of secure gatekeeping and admissions to hospital, progression of care pathways, multi-agency working, medicolegal experience and preparation for discharge into the community. Trainees will be able to develop skills around report writing, giving evidence in court and formal communication with the Ministry of Justice.
There are opportunities within Wessex to work with community forensic services, forensic learning disability teams, forensic child and adolescent mental health services, stalking services and offender personality disorder services. Trainees can also use special interest sessions to gain experience in other areas including relevant clinical work (e.g. addiction psychiatry), research or education. Trainees will gain high secure hospital experience at Broadmoor Hospital and in-reach prison experience at HMP Winchester or HMP Isle of Wight.
On-call experience will be gained as the second on-call doctor for general adult/older persons psychiatric units in part of the region providing important experience of acute psychiatry and Mental Health Act assessments.
There is a dedicated forensic academic programme offering a weekly teaching schedule and also a monthly secure services programme with guest speakers. There are additional teaching programmes including the East Hampshire weekly sessions and also the monthly higher trainee professional programme. The latter is aimed at preparing trainees for onward work as a consultant. There are also opportunities available during training to develop management leadership skills.
The area of Wessex also offers a range of geographical settings including urban, suburban, rural and seaside. There are excellent transport links to London and other major cities. The leafy counties within the Wessex region offer a range of cultural activities and pursuits which will help trainees compliment their training experience to help pursue a healthy work-life balance.