VTS Scheme
Current Scheme | Scheme Overview | LFG Handbook] Scheme Details | Course Organisers Current Members
For information and advice about the overall structure of your training and GP qualification please view this attached powerpoint presentation.
Cresh VTS
The VTS scheme is one of the larger schemes in the KSS Deanery area. Historically there was a scheme based at Crawley Hospital and another scheme at East Surrey Hospital in Redhill. With the merger of the two trusts in 2000 it became clear that the service reconfiguration meant that the schemes should merge. The large number of doctors on the scheme means that there is a full day of educational activity during term time with the doctors who are in General Practice (ST3) attending on a Wednesday morning. After a brief lunch the ST3 doctors are joined for some learning sets by those ST1 and ST2 doctors whose hospital rotations allow them time to attend. Because of service commitments and other departmental based teaching it is recognised that this may be sporadic attendance.
On some occasions through the term the Postgraduate Centre organises guest spaekers and the learning sets do not meet those weeks.
This terms programme can be accessed here…
For further information please contact Miss Carol Hill at the East Surrey Hospital Postgraduate Education Centre on 01737 231722 (Wednesdays only) or via email on chill6@nhs.net
The Run Through Programme consists of:
2 years in hospital/community based jobs on a 4 month cycle followed by
1 Year as GP Registrar in a local GP training practice with approved trainer.
The GP year will include Day release Course based at East Surrey Post Graduate Centre, regular weekly tutorials with trainer, and weekly learning set meetings during term time.
Arrangements are made to maintain contact with General Practice training throughout the run through programme. This includes the learning set meetings during term time and short residential courses with GP registrars. Doctors are allocated during their hospital posts an Educational Supervisor who is one of the local GP Trainers and they will spend two days of their study leave in each four month post attached to the practice of their Educational Supervisor.
CRESH VOCATIONAL TRAINING SCHEME DAY RELEASE COURSE.
What is it for?
To act as a bridge between hospital based practice and the more independent working as a General Practitioner.
To develop clinical and inter personal skills fit for the purpose of independent general medical practice.
Awareness and attainment of knowledge and skills above and beyond those required for the nMRCGP.
Development of a strategy to cope with the demands of primary care.
- managing change
-Lifelong adult learning
-Personal Learning plans
-Building a support network
Why have a Day Release as well as tutorials in the Practice?
There are some things within the learning needs of GP Registrars that are best addressed within a group environment – these include
-Feedback
-Shared experiences and a broader perspective
-Peer support including dealing with feelings and emotions
-Rehearsal (role play)
-The opportunity to be yourself
-Time to reflect
-Specialist resources
The VTS scheme can also cover areas that the Trainer finds difficult to deal with in the tutorial.
COURSE ORGANISERS
Dr Terry Conaty
I have been a Course Organiser since 2004. I have been involved in vocational training in East Surrey since the early 1990s as a Trainer. I practice in Smallfield just to the east of the runway at Gatwick airport. The Practice has just over 5000 patients and in addition to myself there are five part time doctors working in the Practice, two as profit sharing partners and three as salaried doctors. Prior to my appointment as Course Organiser I have been involved with the local PCG and PCT and with the InPS computer user group. I am married to Clare who is a teacher at a school in Reigate and have two children who have recently completed their university educations.
Dr Graham Carr
My professional background is in nursing and my clinical career was mainly in the areas of ITU/CCU and HIV/STDs. For the last 4 years, I have having been working on a number of joint KSS/LSBU educational projects, linked to teacher training for GPs, as part of this liaison I have been a CRESH VTS organizer for 18 months.
I am a Senior Lecturer at London South Bank University in the Faculty of Health and Social Care. My role is that of course director for undergraduate and postgraduate educational qualifications for health care professionals. The awards I deliver and manage confer adult teacher status combined with recordable qualifications on professional practice registers. I deliver courses and training that explore how we as both learners and teachers integrate theory and practice using experiential learning. The ultimate intention is to encourage challenging, reflective and self-aware learners and teachers.
Recent areas of commissioned research and subsequent publications relate to the personal, academic and professional consequences of recent widened entry routes in higher education and nursing. My latest research, explores the changes in nursing education during the last 40 years as they have been experienced by Nurse Teachers.
Dr Bob Ward
I started as a Course Organiser in 2004 having previously had responsibility for looking after the Trainers in the Crawley area. I have been a Trainer since 1995. I work in a PMS Practice in Furnace Green in Crawley with my three partners and salaried colleagues. Like Terry I have had involvement with our local PCG as well as the LMC. I completed my Diploma in Sports Medicine in 2007 and do a session a week as a GPSI in musculoskeletal medicine. Married to Hilary with three children I’m a Chelsea fan and like to turn my hand to any sporting activity that is available!
Dr Heidi Fahy
My career in Education started in 2000 when I became the first trainer at my practice in Redhill where I had been a Partner since 1990. I married John, a policeman, the same year, which was also the year I finished VTS training in Croydon.
I have had a colourful career which may give an insight to my personality or perhaps more to the fact that I juggle my career with running a home and managing three sons.
I took a three year career break in 2001 to spend time perfecting my tennis and Spanish in Miami , and came back to work part-time as a salaried GP at Tilgate Surgery in Crawley.
I rediscovered my love of teaching and learning when I took on the role of GP Tutor for East Surrey in 2005, and then Course Organiser in August 2006.
My other interests include my work as an appraiser, QOF assessor, and more recently, in the footsteps of my colleague Course Organisers, the art of skiing which is a total challenge as being Iranian I am more comfortable with camel riding as a sport, preferably in tropical conditions!
Dr Pippa Woolner
I am a newly appointed course organiser and do this job alongside working as a part time salaried GP in Caterham. The practice where I work is a busy training practice. I did my post graduate training in Birmingham, having been to medical school there. Initially I trained in hospital medicine and then worked for a year in medical education before starting my general practice training. I live in Reigate with my husband and our young daughter. I enjoy the diversity of general practice and the challenge of juggling this with family life. My hobbies include tennis and discovering good restaurants.