Colchester VTS

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Information about the scheme

There has been a Vocational Training Scheme in Colchester for nearly 30 years. The scheme has always been friendly and flexible, trying to cater for the individual needs of the training doctor rather than to any rigid preferred plan.

Over the last few years, we have structured the course into 3 terms annually. Details of past terms are available in the "Course News" section. Each term had 5 whole days on alternate Wednesdays until August 2007. When MMC was introduced In August 2007, we started a new era in General Practice Training.

On the scheme we now have an annual intake of 12 trainees. Most of these start in August but 2 or 3 start in February. Each of these are 3 year rotations, comprising 18 months in hospital and 18 months in General practice. Details of the rotations can be seen here.

SInce August 2007, we have changed the way the scheme operates. The new GP curriculum means that the training we offer needs to be more flexible for each trainee. Details of the curriculum and further links can be found here. As a result, we have returned to half day releases, with the ST1s attending on the 1st Wednesday afternoon of each month, the ST2s on the 3rd Wednesday afternoon and the Registrars on the 2nd Wednesday afternoon. On the 4th Wednesday, we have an open session. This is for all the ST3s and for as many of the others who can get there. This gives an opportunity to the trainees for meeting the different years.In addition, each of the trainees will be expected to arrange a 1/2 day each month on vts "homework". This might be web-based learning or it might be a practical activity such as visiting their future practice. These plans are set out in more detail here.

We have also restarted residential courses, and will be holding our first one for some years in June 2008. We have discussed this with the University Drama dept and they will be supplying us with actors and actresses to assist us with role play, consultation skills and some CSA OSCEs.

Our aim is to cover the curriculum as much as we can over the 3 year course. In addition, we have recently negotiated to get training for the ECDL (European Computer Driving Licence) incorporated into the course so that each trainee is able to achieve this qualificatin over their time with us. It is not clear how this will work out after April 2008 when the ECDL changes.

The other major change to GP training will be the new MRCGP exam and the eportfolio. We issue all trainees with a free copy of the "Condensed Curriculum Guide" which is invaluable. For details about the nMRCGP, please look at the RCGP website.

For any questions or comments about  this website, please contact Andrew Lennard-Jones 

Revised: January 20, 2008