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Training in Chippenham The Rowden Medical Partnership has always been a busy and enthusiastic organisation, but it was only in 2005 that we turned our attention to GP training. It was at this time that it dawned on us that Chippenham, a market town situated midway between Bath and Swindon, with 30,000 residents and a large Community Hospital, was a great training resource just waiting to be tapped. Since then, the training of registrars, foundation doctors and students has become a fundamental activity within the practice. As our training commitment expanded, it became necessary to upgrade our facilities. To this end we have just built an extension with dedicated consultation and teaching rooms and can now accommodate up to 4 trainee doctors, from Bath and Swindon, and two medical students from Bristol University at any one time. Nick Brown and Gavin Durrant are the designated trainers, but all the staff are dedicated to teaching and supporting training. In particular, Gill Massey, our practice manager, takes an active role in teaching management issues and our nursing department, which takes the lead in chronic disease management, telephone triage and clinical trial work, also works closely with trainees. Nick supervises the required ‘out of hours’ shifts; these are predominantly based in Chippenham, and comprise a mixture of telephone triage, hospital and car based shifts. All trainees and students have dedicated teaching time and the practice has dedicated coffee times where business and learning are mixed with relaxation and pleasure! With 16,250 patients, a personal doctor list system, a full range of nurse led clinics, a maximum QOF score and all the outpatient and inpatient facilities of the community hospital nearby, we have an abundance of opportunities to keep you occupied, educated and challenged. We aim to provide you with a mixture of personal registrar-centred support, diverse group learning at monthly clinical meetings and celebrated ‘learnathon’ events, at which trainees at all levels come together for a stimulating but fun session. In return all we ask is that the registrars ensure that our Christmas party goes with a swing – you have yet to let us down! |