Supporting KSS postgraduate doctors and dentists in training
The KSS PSWS is a bespoke and confidential service dedicated to helping General Practice and Foundation postgraduate doctors in training across the Kent, Surrey and Sussex region to fulfil their career potential.
Accessing the Service
To access the service a referral form will need to be completed by a suitable educator within your local education team. The form should be discussed together, and your educator will complete the online KSS PSWS Referral Form. The PSWS are best able to help you and your educators when we understand how the issues you are facing impact on your training and what support has already been offered or provided. The educator is usually your Educational Supervisor, but you can also approach and discuss any issues impacting your training with your Clinical Supervisor, College Tutor, Training Programme Director, Head of School or Director of Medical Education.
If for any reason you feel that you can’t discuss your needs or issues with anyone within your education team, then please contact the PSWS at england.ksspsws.se@nhs.net for a confidential conversation with one of our team. You can also contact us if you have any questions about the support we can provide you. Your educator can contact us if there is a more urgent issue for us to consider.
Who can access the service in KSS?
The service is currently available to doctors in the KSS General Practice and Foundation training programmes. KSS Public Health doctors should access the Thames Valley PSWS. Doctors in other postgraduate specialist training programmes should contact the London PSU for support.
Why does the PSWS exist?
For most doctors there are times in their careers when additional support is needed. This can be for many different reasons, from personal, physical or mental health concerns to family issues, career worries and workplace stress. There is support available to all doctors in training via their Supervisor, through their Specialty School and within their Trust. However, for some doctors it is helpful to have confidential support from outside these settings, particularly when training and progression is affected. This is where the PSWS can help.
The PSWS tailors its service to the individual, depending on your needs. We recognise that there is no “one size fits all” – we are all unique and medical training is complex. Please be assured that we put your support and wellbeing at the heart of what we do.
Once we have received a referral, we will allocate you one of our experienced Case Managers who will help you through the challenges you are facing, with the aim of supporting you to continue training with confidence. You may be referred to one of our specialist services which include enhanced exam support, personal coaching, advanced communications/language support, neurodivergence assessment and support, and careers coaching.
For any urgent enquires please contact us directly at england.ksspsws.se@nhs.net