Rotations:

 Applying candidates will know which post they will start in, and the remainder of their rotation is likely to include placements in that sub-rotation only.  Due to some posts falling into a boundary area, there may be some movement between sub-rotations, depending on both the needs/wishes of the trainee and the training programme.  In rare circumstances, it may be necessary to place a trainee in a different sub-rotation. Additional posts are likely to be added to the rotation in the next couple of years, giving more choice and flexibility to trainees.  Placements are agreed in December, following a dialogue between the trainee and TPD, enabling trainees to almost always be given their first or second choice of placement, ensuring there is time to plan ahead for a September changeover. Once appointed to a sub-rotation, a trainee may apply for a transfer to another sub-rotation, but any transfer cannot be guaranteed.

The sub-rotations are currently as follows:

West

1. Thorpe Hall Hospice, Peterborough
2. Bedford Hospital/St John’s Hospice
3. Garden House Hospice, Letchworth
4. Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge
5. Arthur Rank House/Papworth Hospital, Cambridge
6. Peterborough Hospital (joint IM/PM post)

South

1. Southend Hospital
2. Southend Hospital (joint IM/PM post)
3. Basildon Hospital
4. Farleigh Hospice, Chelmsford
5. St Clare Hospice, Harlow
6. Princess Alexandra Hospital, Harlow (joint IM/PM post)

 East

1. Norfolk and Norwich Hospital, Norwich
2. Priscilla Bacon Lodge (IP specialist palliative care unit), Norwich
3. St Nicholas’ Hospice, Bury St Edmunds
4. St Elizabeth Hospice, Ipswich
5. Ipswich Hospital
6. James Paget Hospital, Great Yarmouth
7. St Helena Hospice, Colchester
8. Colchester Hospital (joint IM/PM post)

The trainees run a monthly training day, rotating through the different locations, providing the opportunity to explore clinical scenarios in depth, addressing aspects of the curriculum not regularly encountered in practice and to network with their colleagues.  Simulation training is available at various centres around the region, and study leave to attend relevant sessions is widely supported.  Trainees are actively encouraged to participate in multi-centre research and audit. One of the training days is focussed on research, and another is to aid in preparation for the SCE.  Our training units support the trainees to prepare and take the SCE, and in the last 5 years 100% of trainees have achieved a first time pass.

In addition, there is a regional group who meet 2-3 times a year (the Eastern Region Palliative Medicine Development Group), open to doctors of all grades in the region.  It is a chance for trainees to present any research or audits they have completed and is an opportunity to hear what work is going on across the region.