Trust contact details
Medway Maritime Hospital Windmill Road, Gillingham, Kent, ME7 5NY
Switchboard:
01634 830000
Trust Website:
www.medway.nhs.uk
Medical Education Website:
https://www.medicaleducation.medway.nhs.uk/
Medical Education Contact:
medwayft.MedicalEducation@nhs.net
Key personnel
Director of Medical Education
Dr Ashike Choudhury
Deputy Director of Medical Education
TBC
Foundation Training Programme Director(s)
Dr Rupinder Kaur (F1)
Dr Amanda Morrice (F2)
Head of Medical Education Services
Ms Carol Atkins
Medical Education Manager (Operational)
Mrs June Mossop-Toms
Foundation Programme Supervisor
Ms Sally Bambrough
Foundation Assistant
Miss Shaira Agunias
medwayft.medicaleducation@nhs.net
Head of Medical Resourcing
Mrs Zoe Laker-Smith
Facilities
Education Centre
The Education Centre and Library are located adjacent to the Hospital, opposite the Accident & Emergency Centre.
There are multiple seminar rooms in the Education Centre that are used for teaching, training, regional training days, audits, meetings (including foundation doctor feedback meetings) etc.
Also located in the Education Centre you will find the Research and Innovation team on the first floor and on the ground floor, simulation and the library and knowledge services departments.
The Medical Education Team to support foundation doctors are located within the Education Centre and are always available to answer any questions or concerns and are available to provide pastoral support where required.
The DME and Foundation Training Programme Directors (FTPDs) can also be contacted through the Medical Education Team administrators. We operate an open door policy and are available on request for training and wellbeing support.
The Trust has excellent wellbeing support and resources available.
Accommodation
Hospital accommodation is situated in the residencies on the perimeter road, within the hospital grounds, which are a 2 minute walk from the main entrance and many of the foundation doctors live on site.
The trust offers flat-style living, with shared living areas and bathrooms (some with en-suite facilities) and we do have a limited amount of family units available. The Accommodation office has waiting lists for preferences that are currently unavailable.
Accommodation is available at a competitive rate. Contact the Accommodation Team at: medwayft.property@nhs.net to discuss bookings and charges. There is a good supply of rental properties locally, should you wish to rent off site. Designated on-call facilities and ‘Don’t Drive Tired’ rooms are also available on site.
There is also an onsite free 24/7 Gym – Medway Fitness Hub, available to all colleagues at Medway Hospital, which you can apply for at the time of joining.
Social activities
There is a very active social programme arranged by the Doctors’ Mess.
The Mess is hidden behind an unmarked door, opposite the Chapel in the main hospital site. There is Sky TV, comfortable sofas and computers. There are also lockers and a kitchen area. The notice boards hold information on all important Mess nights out, including the Summer and Christmas Grand Balls. Themed nights such as Chinese/Indian/Thai/Turkish nights. There are also fun activities to get involved in such as bowling nights & paint balling. There are beach days organised in the summer months. There is also Mixed gender football & Cricket team that meet weekly at a local sports centre.
The role of Mess President is usually held by a Postgraduate Doctor.
Social groups available locally include:
– Mixed gender football
Library facilities
The Medway Knowledge and Library Service (KLS) is located within the Education Centre.
Medway KLS provides access to print and electronic journals, books, board games and multimedia resources and services to help all staff and students find and use the best evidence to support patient care, clinical governance, research, education and professional development. The Library also has a Well-being Collection and small fiction collection.
Library facilities include quiet study spaces, Wi-Fi, computers and access to many online resources. Library members have access to the self-service book issue unit and are able to borrow up to 10 books at a time.
Services offered by the Library include article and book request services, evidence searching, Horizon Scanning, skills training in evidence searching and critical appraisal skills.
Library opening hours:
The Library reading rooms are open 24 hours a day.
The Library is staffed 8.30 am – 5.00 pm Monday – Friday, excluding Bank Holidays.
Outside staffed hours access to the Library is via the side entrance opposite Residence 11 using your Trust ID card.
For general enquiries and inter-library loans, please email: trust.library@nhs.net
Website: https://knowledgeandlibraryservices.medway.nhs.uk/
Parking arrangements
On-site parking is available and parking permit applications will be included in your starter pack from Medical Resourcing. Parking charges are deducted from your monthly salary.
Foundation Specific
Medway currently provides 56 F1 and 55 F2 programmes consisting of three 4-month placements. We offer a range of hospital-based specialties such general and geriatric medicine, surgery, urology, ICM, emergency medicine, paediatrics and obstetrics & gynaecology as well as community placements such as Psychiatry, Palliative Medicine, Community Frailty and General Practice.
We have often been able to accommodate changes to these rotations with internal swaps where educationally appropriate if possible and with final agreement/confirmation from the KSS Foundation School.
In 2025 we will have specific training programmes which will support the delivery of the Enhance generalist skills programme. Any trainees not allocated to these rotation programmes can still be included in the Enhance programme as part of their portfolio completion.
Induction/shadowing arrangements
All F1 Doctors commencing at Medway undertake a mandatory extended induction programme commencing at the end of July. This includes the opportunity to ‘shadow’ the F1 from whom they will be taking over and gain an insight into the role and responsibilities of a postgraduate doctor. This also includes some simulation training scenarios. Additional shadowing can be arranged on request, particularly for IMG doctors, where a bespoke induction programme is organised for them to introduce them to working in the NHS in the UK.
The F1 induction programme includes support and training for the PSA, eILS, Clinical IT systems, surgical and clinical skills as well as meeting relevant individuals to support your training and time at Medway. In addition we have our exciting and innovative Simway Sunday which is held at the CCCU campus which has been well received and benefitted new F1s joining us at Medway particularly in preparing them for being on the wards, escalation processes etc.
Tasters
A taster week is a maximum of 5 days which can be taken in F1 (final 4 months of F1 year) or early within the F2 training year. If taken in your F1 training year then this time is “borrowed” from your F2 study allowance as F1 trainees are not entitled to any study leave. Taster sessions should be arranged locally within your local trust through the Foundation Supervisor. However, if there is a speciality that you are particularly interested in that your trust does not offer you will be allowed to compete a taster week externally. We do not allow any taster weeks in the first month of starting (August) or the last month (July/Aug) of your training. For further information and guidance please speak with one of the foundation team at Medway or the UKFPO website..
Simulation
The Clinical Skills and Simulation Programme for Foundation Doctors at Medway is designed to provide a comprehensive and immersive learning experience, equipping doctors with essential skills and confidence in managing clinical scenarios. The programme incorporates a variety of teaching methods, including high-fidelity simulation, clinical skills workshops, and cutting-edge mixed reality technology. Below is a detailed description of each component:
1. Foundation Simulation
The Foundation Simulation Programme offers training for Foundation Year 1 (F1) and Foundation Year 2 (F2) doctors, aimed at enhancing clinical decision-making and practical skills in a safe environment. Sessions are designed to replicate real-life clinical situations, allowing doctors to practice their response to common and critical cases. Each simulation involves the use of high-fidelity manikins and realistic clinical settings, enabling participants to develop proficiency in managing acutely unwell patients. The sessions incorporate structured debriefs with experienced faculty members, providing feedback on clinical performance, teamwork, and communication.
2. Human Factors Programme for F2s
The Human Factors Programme is a key part of the F2 training curriculum, emphasising the importance of non-technical skills in the clinical environment. This programme is designed to enhance awareness of factors that influence human performance in healthcare, such as situational awareness, teamwork, leadership, and communication. Through a combination of didactic teaching and simulation-based exercises, participants learn to recognise and mitigate risks associated with human error.
The interactive workshops include case studies, role-playing, and crisis resource management exercises, together with using a SEIPS analysis (systems engineering initiative for patient safety) all aimed at preparing F2 doctors to navigate the complexities of modern healthcare. By addressing cognitive biases and developing strategies for effective decision-making under pressure, the programme supports a culture of safety and continuous improvement.
3. Clinical Skills on Induction for F1s
At the beginning of their Foundation Year, F1 doctors undergo a mandatory induction that includes a focused clinical skills session. This induction aims to ensure all new doctors are proficient in key skills required for day-to-day practice, such as cannulation, basic life, arterial blood gas and catheterisation. The induction serves as a foundational skills refresher, ensuring that newly qualified doctors feel confident and competent as they start their clinical practice.
Clinical Skills Lab Access
In addition to the induction sessions, all Foundation doctors have the option to access the Clinical Skills Lab throughout the year. This facility is available for individual practice or small-group sessions, allowing doctors to refine their procedural skills and receive additional training on request. The lab is equipped with task trainers, manikins, and other simulation tools, providing an environment for self-directed learning and faculty-led skills workshops.
4. Surgical Placement Training
During surgical placements, Foundation doctors have the opportunity to attend the START (Surgical Training for the Acute Resident Team) Course, which is accredited by the Royal College of Surgeons. This course focuses on the practical and decision-making skills required in surgical practice, covering topics such as wound closure, management of surgical complications, and emergency procedures.
Access to Virtamed Simulator
For surgical training, doctors also have access to the Virtamed simulator, which provides comprehensive arthroscopy and laparoscopy training with unmatched realism. The simulator incorporates mixed reality technology to deliver a highly immersive experience, allowing trainees to practice using real instruments and receive tactile feedback that mimics actual surgical procedures. With modules covering various joint arthroscopies and laparoscopic techniques, the Virtamed simulator supports the development of fine motor skills and enhances readiness for the operating room.
5. Simway Hospital Induction for F1s
The Simway Hospital Induction is an innovative programme for new F1 doctors, designed to introduce them to the hospital environment through a series of realistic simulated scenarios. This induction covers essential processes such as handling handovers, prescribing medications, and responding to medical emergencies. By simulating common tasks and clinical situations that F1 doctors will encounter, the programme provides a smooth transition from medical school to clinical practice.
Simway’s approach fosters familiarity with hospital workflows and electronic systems, enhancing the ability of new doctors to integrate into their teams quickly and effectively. The programme emphasises the development of clinical reasoning and the importance of multidisciplinary teamwork from the outset of the Foundation training.
Summary
The Clinical Skills and Simulation Programme at Medway provides a comprehensive, multi-modal approach to the development of clinical and non-technical skills for Foundation doctors. From the foundational clinical skills delivered at induction to advanced surgical training and human factors workshops, the programme ensures that all participants are equipped to deliver high-quality patient care with precision and confidence.
Foundation Doctor Forums
Foundation Doctor Forums are held regularly and F1 and F2 foundation doctor representatives are asked to attend.
Foundation doctor Representatives are also appointed to attend the Local Faculty Group for foundation doctors to ensure the foundation doctors’ voice is heard and represented at these meetings. Feedback will be gained by canvasing opinions from peer colleagues by holding a forum three times a year, sometimes electronically, before the Local Faculty Group Meetings in November, March and June to gain feedback on foundation doctor concerns as well as highlighting positive elements for these meetings.
Educational and clinical supervision
Postgraduate doctors are allocated an educational supervisor for the year and for each placement they are placed with a consultant from their team for clinical supervision.
All educational supervisors have been suitably trained to become accredited supervisors.
Teaching programme
In addition to departmental teaching, foundation doctors receive weekly protected, bleep-free teaching on Tuesday afternoons for F1s and Thursday afternoons for F2s. Self-development time (SDT) is allocated following the weekly Foundation teaching sessions to complete statutory and mandatory training, portfolio, audit and research, etc. You will also be required to undertake ILS/ALS.
We look forward to meeting and working with you and hope you will enjoy your time with us at Medway.
Local Area
Transport links
The hospital is situated within a 15 minute walk of Gillingham Railway station, from where it is, it is 45 minutes by train from Victoria, 50 minutes on a fast service from London Bridge and 35 minutes from London St Pancras.
Ebbsfleet International station is 20 minutes away and there are fast links from here to the Continent. There is access by car to the A2, M2, M25 and M20.
Local amenities/attractions
Many of our doctors commute from London and the M25 corridor, but there is a wealth of history in Rochester and the historic Chatham Dockyard should you choose to live locally.
At Chatham Dockside you will find a small shopping outlet with plenty of welcoming restaurants and bars, there is also a Gym.
Rochester is very popular for eating out and nearby Maidstone also has many clubs and bars for an exciting night out.
The Medway towns are only 20 minutes by road from Bluewater, which is one of the largest shopping centres in the UK housing bars, restaurants and a Cineplex.
Good sports and recreational facilities are also available locally.
The M2 is also only a stone’s throw away from Medway which gives you access to the countryside, market and coastal towns such as Whitstable, Herne Bay, Faversham, Broadstairs, Margate and Ramsgate. You can also travel to Ashford outlet centre, Folkestone and Dover from the M2 as well as visit the cathedral city of Canterbury – Things To Do, What’s On, Accommodation – Visit Kent
Visit Medway | The Official Tourism website for Medway Council – Visit Medway
Trust
Accolades/achievements of the Trust
Medway NHS Foundation Trust is a very busy NHS Trust with excellent educational support for doctors in training. We take pride in having a reputation as a hardworking and friendly environment in which to train and work. At Medway we have developed clear visions and values to ensure that it is the first choice for patients and staff.
The Foundation Faculty has been recognised by STFS for its achievements in working and supporting foundation doctors in need of support.
Terms and conditions of employment
All posts are subject to the terms and conditions of employment as set out by the Trust and further details can be obtained from the Medical Resourcing department at the time of appointment.
Additional information
The Trust is committed to training and has links to local Higher Education Institutions. As an associated teaching hospital, we welcome medical students from King’s College London Medical School. You will have the opportunity to participate in their teaching if they are allocated to your team or if you wish to be involved in the undergraduate teaching programme. The Trust is also associated with Kent and Medway Medical School (KMMS) and has accepted the 1st cohort of medical students in 2022. There will be many leadership opportunities for foundation doctors to mentor and teach these local students. You can request further information from:
Undergraduate Medical Education Manager
Ms Daniella James- daniella.james@nhs.net
