Speciality: Core Psychiatry
The East Region of the Scotland Deanery is one of the smallest core psychiatry schemes in the UK and this allows an unrivalled opportunity to have a truly personal and friendly training experience in a very beautiful area of the United Kingdom. The region provides a diverse range of training opportunities due to the fact that within a relatively small geographical area we have both a large city with a range of socioeconomic challenges, and a number of relatively affluent towns. The Tayside area provides both local and also regional treatment centres in a range of psychiatric subspecialties. As a core trainee here you will be able to benefit from a range of exciting experiences, all within an easily commutable distance.
The core training programme is managed in accordance with the Gold Guide and has as its goal the aim of instilling not just competence but true excellence in those who are successful in getting a place on the scheme. We work hard to make sure that everyone who joins the programme strives to become the best psychiatrist they can be. We achieve this by expecting a lot from our core trainees but also offering a huge amount by way of valuable training opportunities. Each trainee has a named educational supervisor who is allocated to each core trainee for the full duration of the three year scheme and who provides invaluable guidance and support.
The Royal College of Psychiatrists stipulates many of the types of placements that must be completed during the three year programme; however these requirements are easily met within the East region. We encourage core trainees to complete either a year of general adult psychiatry in their first year of training or 6 months of old age and psychiatry and 6 months of general adult psychiatry. Where and how this happens is decided by the trainee in consultation with their educational supervisor and training programme director. Allocation of posts is done as flexibly as possible and most core trainees get their first or second choice of post. We have placements in a wide range of subspecialties including general adult psychiatry, old age psychiatry, rehabilitation psychiatry, IPCU (Intensive Psychiatric Care Unit), child and adolescent psychiatry, psychiatry of learning disability, liaison psychiatry, forensic psychiatry, substance misuse and psychotherapy.
Core trainees will receive weekly educational supervision from their named Clinical Supervisor for each post, and their training will be overseen by their Educational Supervisor, who in turn is supported in this by the Training Programme Director.
Core trainee doctors may be allocated posts in any of the three main hubs within NHS Tayside, namely Stracathro Hospital in Angus; Carseview Centre and Ninewells Hospital in Dundee; and Perth Royal Infirmary and Murray Royal Hospital in Perth. There are also a number of clinics in more rural areas, access to which will require trainees to have a driving licence and access to a car. You have the advantage of being in one health board at all times which enhances flexibility in relation to contracts and minimises disruption when moving between posts.
There is a ready access to opportunities to meet psychotherapy competencies, including a weekly Balint group and significant support to undertake supervised psychotherapy cases within our friendly psychotherapy department.
A recent exciting innovation to the scheme has been a complete overhaul of how regional MRCPsych teaching is provided. During the first two years (CT1 &CT2), each Wednesday morning during term time core trainees attend the academic programme offered at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital virtually, which is separated by year of training and focuses on the material most likely to be relevant to each core trainee doctor at their stage in the programme. On Wednesday afternoon, trainees from all years (up until completion of the MRCPsych examinations) participate in a programme of alternating psychotherapy sessions and clinical skills/CASC preparation/simulation sessions/mock CASC examinations. Final year core trainees (CT3) have the opportunity to use study leave in a more flexible manner to allow for the more targeted use of time and financial resources depending on each trainee's specific needs and interests.
In addition to regional teaching, each hospital site has a local teaching programme, allowing core psychiatry doctors to gain relevant competencies in case presentation and critical appraisal.
If you wish to find out more about the scheme do not hesitate to get in touch with Dr Laura Sutherland, Training
Research opportunities are available both through clinical supervisors and through the extensive links we have with the University of Dundee. All trainees undertake audit through their local teams as they move through posts; there is an enthusiastic audit lead, and trainees frequently present audits at a range of local, regional and national conferences. Teaching opportunities are extremely frequent: there is an expectation to engage with a range of teaching activities at Dundee medical school and core trainees are likely to get involved in teaching, assessment and interviewing during their time with us. Finally as a small scheme that values its trainees very highly, you will be able to engage in a range of management activities, including service improvement and design, clinical governance, and managerial activities related to training amongst many other possible activities.
Carseview Centre, Dundee, Dudhope House, Dundee, Murray Royal Hospital, Perth, Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, Perth Royal Infirmary, Stracathro Hospital, Angus
| Programme Type | Deanery based or National: Deanery |
| Administration office | East of Scotland |
| Lead Dean / Director | Professor Clare McKenzie |
| Responsible Associate Postgraduate Dean or Assistant Director (GP) | Dr Tom Fardon |
| Specialty or Sub-specialty | Specialty or Sub-specialty: Specialty |
| Date of GMC recent approval | August 2010 |
| Associated Royal College - Faculty |
Royal College of Psychiatrists (web site) |
| Curriculum and Associated Assessment System | https://www.gmc-uk.org/education/standards-guidance-and-curricula/curricula/core-psychiatry |
| Programme Administrator: |
Named Programme Administrator:
Fiona Brown
Address: Tel: Email: fiona.brown14@nhs.scot |
| Programme Director |
Programme Director Name: Dr Laura Sutherland Address: Tel: Email: Laura.Sutherland3@nhs.scot |
| Quality of Training | Quality Management |