Monday, 29 July sees Noble’s Hospital welcome its latest intake of Foundation 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 – sometimes referred to as junior 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 Northwest of England.
Noble’s Hospital is one of 10 acute hospitals in the region 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.
Minister for Health, David Anderson MHK, said:
“I’d like to welcome all 12 of the doctors beginning their Foundation training at Noble’s Hospital this year. Our most recent quality assurance inspection by the Mersey Deanery earlier this year had some extremely positive feedback and findings, and it’s heartening to see that each and every single Foundation Doctor on the most recent programme would recommend Noble’s Hospital as a Foundation Programme training venue for future applicants. My sincere thanks go out to the Director of Medical Education Dr Adrian Dashfield, and Mr Richard Hogg ENT Consultant who lead in this area; and also Mary Clark, Medical Education Manager, and Dr Jacqueline Yates, Head of Learning along with many others – including the tutors, clinicians and hospital management. Noble’s Hospital continues to develop a very strong and positive reputation in the field of Foundation doctor training, and this is down to a team effort across Noble’s Hospital and the Department’s Learning Team."
This year’s quality assurance inspection was carried out by three Members of the Deanery’s Quality Management Team - Mr Graham Lamont, Deputy Postgraduate Dean and Dr Vish Kini, Deputy Director of Postgraduate GP Education, together with their lay representative Ms 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 commencing work on the wards.
Mary Clark, Medical Education Manager, said:
“It’s hard to believe another year is over and the next intake is already upon us. The benefits of running a Foundation Programme on the Island are twofold. 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.”
