Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust

Director of Medical Education

Dr Paul Key

Clinical Tutor

Mr. Mark Waterstone

Foundation Training Programme Director(s)

Dr Mathias Toth

Careers Tutor(s)

Mr Vincent Kika

Medical Education Manager

Mrs Claire Nottage

Medical Staffing Manager

Mrs Carol Church

Foundation Programme Administrator(s)

Ms Tracy Jollie

Postgraduate Centre

The Philip Farrant Education Centre is a multi-disciplinarily education centre which has a number of well-furnished and equipped training rooms with state-of-the-art audio visual equipment, links to theatre and endoscopy.  The simulation suite opened in Spring 2011 to allow for in-house delivery of simulation training.
In addition to the protected teaching sessions for each training programme, trainees may book to attend a number of courses including Basic Surgical Skills, Respiratory Training Series, Basic Practical Skills in O&G, ALS, ILS and many more.
The Medical Education Team is based in the Centre and works with College Tutors and Specialty Leads to ensure training provided meets the educational standards prescribed by the STFS, Royal College and Faculties, GMC and Postgraduate Deaneries.

Accommodation

As a new build, the accommodation provided is modern and comfortable.  Rooms are available for staff at a reasonable rate and may be booked for one night to the length of the placement at the trust.  The range of single rooms or apartments will suit staff looking for cost effective, well managed accommodation, close to your place of work.

Social activities

Dartford enjoys the bright lights of London and the beauty of the countryside.  Bluewater, one of the largest shopping centres in Europe, is a few minutes from the hospital. Bluewater has over 300 stores, 50 bars, cafes and restaurants, 13 screen multiplex cinema and a selection of indoor and outdoor activities.
Additionally we have excellent rail links to London and the Continent via the International railway station at Ebbsfleet.  
Within the Trust there are a number of activities including the Winter Ball, Summer fetes, Sports Days, Consultant v trainee cricket and Football matches.

Doctors' mess

The cosy Doctors’ Mess is near to the Education Centre, and Hospital Restaurant.  The comfortable new sofas, kitchenette area, Sky TV and PC make it a great area to hang out between shifts.  The subscription fee is just £10 per month, which is deducted from your salary, and this funds not only Sky and daily newspapers, but activities arranged by the Mess Presidents such as Pizza Tuesdays, special lunches and many evenings out.

Library facilities

The professional library is based adjacent to the Philip Farrant Education Centre. Services include: Enquiries and literature searches; Information skills training; Electronic resources; Book, article and video supply; Computer access, printing and photocopying; Postal services for staff in the community; Laptops, audiovisual and training equipment for loan

IT facilities

As a new hospital, the IT and AV facilities within the Trust are modern and allow trainees to access all appropriate sites for their training.  PCs are available on most wards for educational use and there are a number of PCs within the library.

Other facilities (Recreational or otherwise)

Complementary Therapies, Discount Scheme (nhsdiscounts), on-site gym and exercise sessions with a personal fitness adviser, Healthy Eating, Hospital Chaplaincy Service and Childcare vouchers as part of the salary sacrifice scheme.

Local amenities/attractions

Dartford enjoys the bright lights of London and the beauty of the countryside.  Bluewater, one of the largest shopping centres in Europe, is a few minutes from the hospital and there are excellent rail links to London and the Continent via the International railway station at Ebbsfleet.   Other attractions include local clubs and bars, theatres, boating and cycling.
For more information see Social activities section.

Transport links

Dartford has excellent transport links in to London and the South Kent Coast.  We have excellent road, rail and bus links - 1 minute from M25 London Orbital

Dartford is currently served by several train stations:
Dartford Trains run to Dartford from London Charing Cross, London Canon Street, Waterloo East, London Bridge and London Victoria. The North Kent Line also runs from Dartford to the Medway towns and the Kent coast.
Stone Crossing train station serves the communities of Stone and Crossways business park. It is on the North Kent Line.
Greenhithe (Southeastern High speed) train station serves the communities of Greenhithe and Bluewater shopping and leisure complex. It is on the North Kent Line. A Fastrack bus service runs from Greenhithe station to Bluewater.
Swanscombe train station is on the North Kent Line.
Farningham Road train station is on the London Victoria line and trains also run to the Medway towns and the Kent Coast.
Longfield train station is on the London Victoria line and trains also run to the Medway towns and the Kent Coast.

Travelling by car
For the motorist, Dartford is linked to London via the A2. The A2 links Dartford to the Kent Coast via the M2 motorway which leads to Canterbury, and Dover.
Access to the M25 London Orbital Motorway is close, and the Dartford Tunnel / Queen Elizabeth II bridge gains access to Essex and the north M25 for travel to the North via the M1 and M11.
The southern section of the M25 gives access to the M20 to Maidstone, Folkestone and Dover, the M23 to Gatwick Airport and Brighton, the A3 to Guildford and Portsmouth, and the M3 to Southampton.

Parking arrangements

On-site parking permits may be applied for.

Accolades/achievements of the trust

Investors in People Award
HSJ 100 Award
Excellent healthcare ratings
CHKS Top 40 Hospitals Award
Top quartile performer in staff survey

Any additional information

no information available

Induction/shadowing arrangements

Foundation Year One Trainees are encouraged to attend a shadowing week prior to commencing in post.  The programme for the week includes Trust induction which focuses on the needs of the F1 trainee, ILS training, and other mandatory topics and the opportunity to meet the Foundation Lead, Directors of Medical Education and the Medical Education Team.  Afternoons allow incoming F1 doctors to work alongside the F1 from whom they will be taking over from and gain an insight into the role and responsibilities of a Foundation Trainee.   A small honorarium payment is given.

Educational and clinical supervision

Every Foundation Trainee will be assigned an Educational Supervisor (ES) who will act as Supervisor and Mentor for the twelve months at DVH.  The ES will provide regular feedback and advice to ensure the necessary clinical and educational progress is made over the entire year. 
In addition to the above, each trainee will be assigned a Clinical Supervisor (CS) for each placement.  The CS is responsible for day-to-day clinical progress and advice relating to the particular specialty.
The process by which information about your progress is collated by your Educational Supervisor from your Clinical Supervisor is achieved by both formal and informal meetings between themselves and overseen by the Foundation Faculty Board during the confidential section during which your representatives are asked to leave.

Teaching programme

Foundation 2 Doctors also receive ALS training, if required, within the first week of taking up their posts.  The Trust is also prepared to offer F2 doctors appropriate study leave to further their future careers, provided the trainee has shown commitment to the Foundation programme and is completing the required assessments etc.
A formal training programme for Foundation 1 doctors takes place on Wednesday lunchtimes and Foundation 2 doctors on Tuesday lunchtimes, whose content is sufficiently flexible to enable doctors to ensure their knowledge/skills gaps are being addressed. Specific gaps in a trainee’s skill ability such as insertion of central lines, chest drains, lumbar punctures can also be addressed by the trainee attending the Trust’s Clinical Decisions Unit or ITU where these procedures are regularly performed.
Each Specialty also provides regular weekly lunchtime meetings and monthly half day training/teaching programmes which foundation doctors are expected to contribute by either presenting cases or audits.
The Trust’s library, besides having a good stock of journals and text books, offers regular courses in critical appraisal and literature search, and PCs for internet access.
The Trust is also committed to research and, for those trainees who wish to participate, our Research and Development Committee and its manager would be happy to advice.

Tasters

Foundation Year One and Two doctors can apply for “taster” periods in other specialties provided they have support from their Educational Supervisor and the Foundation Faculty Board.  Tasters are a good opportunity to try specialties that are not included in their rotations.  F1 doctors can ‘borrow’ 5 days study leave from their F2 year to undertake tasters.

Simulation

The simulation suite opened in Summer 2011 to allow for in-house delivery of simulation training to every grade of doctor.  Simulation sessions are built into the protected teaching programme for all Foundation Trainees, however, trainees may request additional sessions and can attend those delivered by the individual specialties in which they are placed.

The simulation room can replicate almost any clinical area, from a cubicle in Emergency Medicine to the Delivery Suite, and the advanced SimMan 3G patient simulator allows the Simulation Leads to deliver a vast range of clinical scenarios.

Foundation doctor forums

Darent Valley encourages all Foundation Doctors to contribute to and participate in the delivery of medical education.  Each cohort of trainees is formally represented by two representatives to ensure that communication channels are in place.  However, all trainees are welcome at the Foundation Faculty Group Meetings where training is discussed and decisions made.

Any additional information

The Trust is fully committed to training and development its entire staff and has strong links with King’s College London Medical School, the Universities of Greenwich and Canterbury, and the South Thames Foundation School. It takes medical students from the GKT/KCL campus and nurse students from Greenwich University, offering foundation trainees teaching opportunities.