Today (Monday) sees Noble’s Hospital welcome its latest intake of junior doctors, who will spend the next two years at the hospital undergoing general medical training to gain experience working in a variety of specialities.
The latest intake – known officially as ‘Foundation’ doctors – can be assured of tutors and supervisors who are ‘supportive, approachable and friendly’ and ‘a picture of a learning environment’ – conclusions from the 2013 annual assessment visit by the Mersey Deanery which operates postgraduate training, including the Foundation Programme, in the Isle of Man and North West of England.
Noble’s Hospital is one of 10 acute hospitals in the area available for medical graduates to undertake their two-year Foundation Programme, which acts as a bridge between medical school and more specialist training. As well as on-the-job experience and training, academic work continues to provide doctors with an integrated curriculum that focuses on both practice and theory.
This year’s quality assurance inspection was carried out by three members of the Mersey Deanery’s quality management team - Graham Lamont, deputy postgraduate dean and Dr Vish Kini, deputy director of postgraduate GP education, together with their lay representative Moira McLoughlin.
Dr Dashfield said: ‘There are a great number of positives in our most recent review and some areas we will be working to strengthen as our next tranche of Foundation doctors arrive. I’m delighted that we have again received positive feedback from the Deanery and that Foundation doctors can find at Noble’s Hospital not only exceptional teaching resources, but also a wide variety of different medical environments in which to practice with clinicians dedicated to developing the next generation of doctors.
‘Noble’s Hospital’s reputation has become more eminent over the past several years as we’ve steadily developed our Foundation Programme, addressing feedback from the Deanery each year. The result is that an increasing number of Foundation doctors are selecting Noble’s Hospital as their preferred first choice for training, which is fantastic and testament to the hard work that everyone has put in.’
New Foundation doctors will shadow existing Foundation doctors already at Noble’s Hospital, and will receive a comprehensive induction, involving lectures and practical skills in order for them to be as prepared as possible for starting work on the wards.
Mary Clark, medical education manager, said: ‘The benefits of running a Foundation Programme in the island are two-fold.
‘First and foremost it helps to put Noble’s Hospital and the Isle of Man firmly on the map, so to speak. This will be extremely beneficial in terms of future recruitment of doctors.
‘Secondly, new and inquisitive doctors help bring “fresh blood” to Noble’s Hospital and allow for a free exchange of ideas between our junior doctors and the more experienced professionals who tutor and mentor them. My thanks goes out to everyone involved in making the Island’s programme such a success, and I hope the new intake of doctors enjoy their time in the Isle of Man.’