KSS SFP Programme Intensive Care Medicine

Academic Foundation Programme Job Description 

Programme 7 – Intensive Care Medicine – based at RSCH 

Reference:  2024BSMS/07 

Type of programme:   

Research – Intensive Care Medicine research at UHS is overseen by Professor Barbara Philips, Consultant in Intensive Care Medicine and Anaesthesia at The Royal Sussex County Hospital 

Employing trust: University Hospitals Sussex NHS Trust 
Academic placement based at: Royal Sussex County Hospital 
Brief outline of department   

The Department of Intensive Care Medicine is one of the largest in the country and manages 44 beds over 2 sites, with most beds at the Royal Sussex County Hospital. Clinical care is Consultant led with considerable Consultant presence on the Wards managing ward rounds, undertaking procedures and supervising the Critical Care Outreach team of nursing staff. There are 23 Specialist and Core trainees on the Intensive Care Unit at any one time. 

The Intensive Care Unit provides a climate where research is actively encouraged and supported in a multidisciplinary fashion. A full-time grant funded research nurse is in post to support unit research activities. We have an extensive publication record of locally inspired research and partake in a selection of Multicentre NIHR portfolio studies as well. The Intensive Care Unit is an active participant of the Clinical Research Network in Kent, Surrey and Sussex, and the SFP trainee would be encouraged to learn more about how Research is organised in the NHS by attendance at, and review of, the CRN management and processes.   

Ongoing Portfolio Research projects are concerned with Ventilator weaning, the management of post-trauma bleeding, Surgical intervention in open limb fractures, and the management of liver failure. Local projects investigate perioperative care, the interaction between Intensive Care Staff and patient relatives, Drug levels and responses in critically ill patients, the outcome of survivors of cardiac arrest, and the use and abuse of Intensive Care severity of illness scoring systems. 
Structure of academic project/what expected

This will be tailored to the individual. Most projects are clinically based or involve data collection and analysis. The most successful approach for our SFP trainees is to develop a specific project within one of these areas considering the trainees interests and aptitudes; and also integrating work into the current trial and research work ongoing at the time. The Intensive Care Research portfolio is clinically and practically based with research frequently directly impacting on patient care.   

The candidates also have the opportunity to be trained in various research techniques to run clinical trials. Training in good clinical practice guidelines, use of statistical packages including SPSS, training in the use of Endnote and other research packages are also part of the process. We also have adequate time to present work to varying size groups and obtain feedback.   

The Intensive Care Unit is an active participant of the Clinical Research Network in Kent, Surrey and Sussex, and the SFP trainee would be encouraged to learn more about how Research is organised in the NHS by attendance at, and review of, the CRN management and processes.   
Departmental academic teaching programme  

The Intensive Care Unit has regular weekly teaching afternoon every Tuesday and the SFP trainee is encouraged to attend these meetings. An academic training course is also made available via the Clinical Investigation Research Unit (CIRU) which the candidate is encouraged to attend. 
Academic and Research Lead:   

Professor Barbara Philips MD FRCA FRCA FFICM 
Consultant in Intensive Care and Anaesthesia 
b.philips@bsms.ac.uk