The transition from medical student to foundation training can be exciting but also daunting. While we work with our partner trusts to provide support, we also recognise that people often have specific and individual needs.
In addition to the support you can access from your trust medical education team and educational/clinical supervisor, the following external resources are also available:
Professional Support and Wellbeing Service (PSW)
The Professional Development/Professional Support Unit can provide a wealth of support to include wellbeing management, coaching and careers advice.
About PSW:
The KSS PSWS is dedicated to helping Foundation doctors in training across the KSS region to fulfil their career potential. Our case managers and coaches put your support and wellbeing at the heart of what we do.
Our services include enhanced exam support, wellbeing support, personal coaching, neurodiversity support and careers coaching.
The PSW tailors its service to the individual, depending on their needs; we recognise that there is no “one size fits all” solution when it comes to the complex world of medical training. Once you have completed your referral form with your education team, we will allocate one of our specialists who will coach you through your challenges, allowing you to continue training with confidence.
KSS PSWS – welcome from our TPD Janette Cansick.
I studied at Cambridge University, qualifying in 1994, and undertook training in Oxford, West Midlands and London. I dually accredited as a general paediatrician and paediatric nephrologist, and have worked as a consultant since 2006, and at Medway NHS Foundation Trust since 2012. I am passionate about education and, following being Paediatric College Tutor in Royal Free Hospital and Medway Maritime Hospital, I have been Director of Medical Education at Medway for the last 9 years. One of the privileges in my DME role has been meeting with colleagues in training who require additional support, and supporting and empowering them to thrive and achieve their full potential, closely working with their Educational Supervisors. I am therefore pleased to be taking on this new role as TPD for the Professional Support and Wellbeing Service in KSS.
How to refer to PSWS:
Please find the KSS PSWS Referral Form here. For any urgent enquires please contact us directly at england.ksspsws.se@nhs.net.
The referral form should be completed together by the educator and Foundation doctor after a discussion about the reason/s for the referral to PSWS and the support being requested. The form should not be submitted unless both the doctor and educator are in agreement about the referral.
A copy of the form will be sent to both the referrer and Foundation doctor after it has been reviewed by the PSWS team.
We encourage all doctors to discuss any needs with their local education team (Educational supervisor or Foundation Programme Director) and complete the joint educator referral form.
If for any reason a doctor feels they can’t discuss their needs or issues with their education team – please contact the PSWS at england.ksspsws.se@nhs.net for a confidential conversation.
Wellbeing resources
As a Foundation doctor, you will also have free, confidential access to Practitioner Health, an NHS primary care mental health and addiction service with expertise in treating health professionals.
The GMC have published a useful wellbeing resources page on their website.
Free and confidential mental health support can be accessed through the staff mental health and wellbeing hubs.
For expert advice and practical tips to help you look after your mental wellbeing, NHS UK every mind matters .
Careers resources
NHS careers resources and guidance, health careers.
Foundation career planning, resources and guidance,
NHS England our work doctors training enhancing working lives