Paediatrics

Accordion

The training programme for the Department of Paediatrics has undergone changes. We have recently produced high quality community paediatricians; one has taken up a consultant post with us and one working as a locum consultant. The department has undergone changes with Education placed highly as one of its priorities. This change has led to improved training for SHO – FY, GP and ST Doctors in the department.

Clinical Work and Support

The department provide support for ST Doctors with the allocation of a dedicated Educational and Clinical supervisor with interest in education. The work load is manageable and provides time to achieve educational needs along with the clinical experiences required to progress

Feedback received from trainees is very positive with trainees feeling well supported. They also rated the feedback from Educational Supervisors and Clinical Supervisors as being very good. The Clinical Supervisor and Educational Supervisor guide all trainees to meet their core competencies. We also provide good exposure to clinics from ST1 and opportunity to attend Community Paediatric clinics if interested

Work based assessment (WBA) is encouraged and well supported both by consultants and middle grade doctors. Eportfolio is reviewed regularly with feedback being provided. Study leave is very well supported too

Research and Audit

The department takes part in National research projects and audits. Trainees are encouraged to contact the relevant consultant to take part the audit and will be well supported throughout

Shift Practice and Rota

The paediatric department is made up of 10 consultants in acute and 6 community consultants. We have 4 FY doctors, 8 GP trainees, 4 ST1-3 and 2 ST4. The Rota is 1:8 for the SHO covering both sides. The department has weekly teaching lead by consultants. Short morning hand over teaching/presentaion by trainee to discuss interesting cases, this is rated as very good feedback

View a copy of the Paediatric rota

‘Working at ESHT has been ideal for my first paediatric specialty training job; supportive seniors, a great nursing team and a variety of experiences from ward cover, ED clerking, SCBU and labour ward exposure and working on a day assessment unit have enabled me to make the most of my year here. I’d be pleased to come back later in my training’

Hannah Pool – ST1 Trainee

‘In terms of feedback, there are a few points I would make:

    • Extremely friendly team, from the nurses to fellow juniors, all the way up to the consultants. The relatively small team provides a close supportive working environment
    • Seniors are always happy to help and offer guidance whenever asked. Aware that juniors often have very limited exposure to paediatrics and as such are always extremely supportive and happy to teach
    • DGH environment provides huge day-to-day diversity raining from attending high-risk deliveries, managing neonates on SCBU, working on the general paediatrics ward and seeing unwell patients in A&E
    • Structured friendly and sociable weekly teaching sessions
    • Fantastic opportunity to perform procedures such as neonatal cannulation and lumbar punctures
Tom Hickish – FY2 Trainee

The trainee will benefit form a wide range of experience in general paediatrics and community. Most of our consultants have an area of interest and run special clinics. The rota allows for a week of clinic and the trainee can choose the clinic of interest to attend. This exposure will guide trainees with their decision at ST4 with regards to the sub speciality of interest

We have a strong community team and good exposure to a wide range of community paediatrics including safe guarding, ASD and Neurodisability

A thorough induction programme is given with no oncall during the induction period, the induction is run over 2 days

Cross Site Paediatric Placement Video