When you join the VTS you will enter a 3-year training programme (ST1, 2 and 3). This involves a number of hospital posts during the ST1 & 2 years; these posts are usually 4 or 6 months in length. Trainees must spend a minimum of 12mo whole time equivalent (WTE) in secondary care.
From 2021 our rotations will include either 6mo or 12mo Integrated Training Posts (ITP) during the ST2 year. These posts are based in general practice but include the opportunity for learning in another environment.
The ST3 year is spent in a single GP placement.
For your first 2 years, you will be allocated an Educational Supervisor (ES) who will be based in the practice where you will spend the “pure” GP component of ST1/2.
In your final year, your Educational Supervisor will be your trainer (the GP overseeing you in your practice placement).
Educational Supervisors monitor your progress via your e-portfolio and see you every 6 months for an ES review – a meeting where your progress is considered. At these meetings, your ES is able to request an ARCP (Annual Review of Competency Progression) panel review if they have any concerns regarding your progress.
During hospital posts and the non-GP element of your ITP, you will also have a clinical supervisor.
Clinical Supervisors (CS) will oversee your placements on a day-to-day basis, and complete and an end-of-placement report (clinical supervisors report – CSR) documenting your progress.
Derriford Hospital is home to most of our hospital posts, however our community-based posts are based at locations across the city.
Healthcare of the Elderly in the Community posts are based at Mount Gould Hospital.
Our Palliative Care post is based at St Luke’s Hospice.
Listen to 2019 ST1, Malik, talk about his experiences working at St Lukes
Psychiatry posts will be based in community mental health teams.
Within the first month of joining the scheme, you should know who your ES is. If not, please contact the team. You should make contact with your ES and arrange to meet shortly after starting on the scheme. Likewise, for any new post you should know who your named CS is before or shortly after starting.