Torbay Vocational Training Scheme (VTS) is a branch of Peninsula Postgraduate Medical Education. We run a top rated 3 year GP training programme based around the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) Curriculum. We are proud of our exceptional pass rate for our Trainees in the MRCP examination.
From August 2021 the three year scheme will consist of 12 months of approved hospital specialist training posts 12 months of approved hospital specialist training posts at Torbay Hospital as well as 24 months in General Practice. We have recently introduced Intregated Training Posts (ITP) which are generally (if full time) 6 month placements. These posts are predominately based at a General Practice however for 2 – 4 sessions per week trainees are released into an alternative speciality which are not currently on the schemes hospital rotations such as Breast Care, Drug & Alcohol Service (Walnut Lodge) & Neurology.
Specialist trainees (ST1 and ST2) and registrars (ST3’s) are expected to attend the planned educational programme held on Wednesday’s in term time at the Horizon Centre, Torbay Hospital.
Rotation Allocation
Once you have accepted a place on the Torbay scheme, we will contact you to rank the available rotations in order of preference. Clearly with 18 rotations to allocate, not everyone will be able to get one of their top choices. We use your ranking at interview to decide who gets what, as this is felt to be the fairest system. You each gained an overall mark as you passed through the interview process, which is an objective measure of your performance. We don’t release these positions to you, as this can be divisive. If you would like individual feedback on your performance then this can be gained on a one-to-one basis via the deanery team. We then allocate, starting with those achieving the highest marks being allocated first. We like to retain some flexibility so that we can aim to satisfy the greatest numbers possible. We also retain the right to place certain trainees in particular rotations if there are sound educational reasons for doing so.
ST1/ST2 General Practice Allocations
Once you have been allocated with a rotation for your training, you will be aware of when your GP Practice placement falls within your GPST1 or GPST2 year. The GP Practice will be allocated to you at this stage, together with your named Educational Supervisor. This is based upon who will be your Trainer whilst you’re in your 6 month GP placement.
Please be aware that ST1 & 2 GP placements are taken from a pool of available practices and trainers (as many training practices already have trainees or are not due a trainee) hence the choice will be limited.
We guarantee a high quality placement and will take action if this is found not to be the case. What we can’t guarantee is that you will be placed for your maximum geographical convenience.