Cardiology

The Cardiology Department at Eastbourne DGH allows Core Medical Trainees exposure to a diverse range of diagnostic and theraputic interventions for patients with cardiovascular disease. The rotation provides trainees with the opportunity to develop advanced skills in clinical evaluation and differential diagnosis, applying this knowledge in the care of inpatients, outpatients, and those undergoing procedures

Core Medical Trainees rotate between the Coronary Care Unit and general cardiology ward, with timetabled sessions in the outpatient clinic, pre-assessment unit, and cardiac catheter laboratories. Five consultant cardiologists work at the Eastbourne site providing clinical supervision and oversight of all cardiac activities. The consultants manage a primary angioplasty service, in addtion to advanced imaging, coronary intervention, pacing, electrophysiological studies/ablation and complex devices.
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Research

There is also an active Cardiovascular Research Centre, allowing opportunities for trainees to participate in research and audit, under guidance from the research registrar and consultant

Original research is regularly presented at international conferences, thus providing a fantastic opportunity to contribute to ongoing projects and strengthens higher specialist trainee applications.

Clinical work and support

You will be supported during your four month rotation in Cardiology by a dedicated Consultant Cardiologist, your programme lead, an allocated educational supervisor and clinical supervisors. All of whom will give you regular constructive feedback on your progress and what you can do to improve. This will better enable you to deliver core competencies from the curriculum

Trainee progress is reviewed via eportfolio, requiring the trainee to complete set modules by way of:

• Observation
• Direct supervision
• Independent practice
• Attendance at relevant training courses and events

The individual trainee completes their eportfolio which is monitored by the department in collaboration with our medical education team, to ensure you continue to meet your training objectives and achieve the best outcome

Shift Practice and Rota

Sample Cardiology rota

Sample rota above – relates to a typical Foundation Doctor Rota

‘I really enjoyed my time in Cardiology and feel it has equipped me with the necessary cardiology skills to work autonomously as a medical registrar. We were encouraged to attend clinics and given the opportunity to see patients alone. We had weekly teaching ward rounds, where we could practice our presenting skills. There was also a weekly heart failure ward round which was a great opportunity to learn more about heart failure management. I definitely feel more confident in management more complex patients with cardiac disease as a result’

Educational Opportunities

Formal teaching is delivered at local CMT training days, in addition to scheduled local activity throughout the week such as Grand Round and Cardiology teaching rounds. MRCP teaching is led by one of the Consultant Cardiologists, who directs bedside teaching for PACES candidates in addition to informal teaching from five Cardiology Registrars. There are ample opportunities to complete ePortfolio assessments and junior doctors are encouraged to clerk ‘hot patients’ presenting directly via the ambulance service and follow their patient journey through the Cardiology Department until discharge

The Eastbourne Cardiology rotation provides Core Medical Trainees with an excellent foundation in modern cardiovascular care, including training in the management of cardiac emergencies and the opportunity to perform desirable procedures, such as central venous catheter and chest drain insertion

The aim of the rotation is to equip trainees with the cardiology skills required to enter higher specialist training as medical registrars. For those interested in the speciality this offers additional opportunities to experience a wide range of procedural and noninvasive cardiology uniquely offered by the department

Cardiology Teaching Days

MRCP Teaching

CMT Training Days

On the Job Training, What to Expect?

The Cardiology Department has 11 bedded Coronary Care Unit (CCU), general cardiology ward, day unit, pacing theatres and cardiac investigation suite. There are 2 cardiac catheter labs at the Eastbourne DGH and the unit typically undertakes over 1,000 diagnostic angiograms and over 300 pacing procedures per annum. One of the labs also has electrophysiological capabilities, allowing a selection of catheter ablations and electrophysiological studies to be performed each week

Ablations for the treatment of ventricular tachycardia, atrial fibrillation and SVTs are performed. There is an extensive imaging service with 5 echocardiolgraphy machines and transoesophageal and stress echo are also routinely performed

There is also a well developed Cardiac CT service with over 1,000 scans performed in the Trust, and cardiac MRI is now offered

Cardiology at the Eastbourne DGH is diverse; a wide range of procedures are performed so that the flavour is very much that of a tertiary centre within the context of the Eastbourne DGH. Not only will you get the opportunity to improve your clinical skills and management of medical and cardiological problems, but you will develop a basic understanding of a broad range of procedures, crucial to having a better understanding of such patients, often initially managed by the general medical take

A comprehensive understanding of Cardiology as a core trainee will make you a better medical doctor. We will ensure you are allowed to fulfill your training objectives and we offer second to none opportunities that intend to inspire a life long fascination with Cardiology