Why Come to Dorset VTS
Why come to Dorset for your GP training?
Dorset offers an exceptional combination of good hospital rotations and varied, high quality GP practices. It also offers excellent recreational opportunities, quality of life, and links to London and the continent.
Recreation
It is well recognised that if doctors do not look after themselves they are unlikely to be able to offer a high standard of care to their patients. This is why we place great emphasis on achieving an appropriate work/life balance, & what better place to achieve this than the beautiful county of Dorset.
What diversity! If you seek the tranquility of the great British countryside, the solitude of wild hills, or the splendour of the worlds second largest natural harbour and World Heritage coastline, then try Dorset. The coast and countryside are playgrounds for sailors, windsurfers, mountain-bikers, and walkers.
Alternatively you may prefer to explore Dorset’s fascinating history in places such as Corfe Castle, Maiden Castle, or Kingston Lacey House. You really can escape from the demands of your working life in places such as these.
Dorset’s main towns also offer more urban temptations such as theatre, nightclubs and some excellent restaurants, whilst London is only 2 hours away by road or rail.
We strongly encourage a balanced approach to work & relaxation.
Travel Links
Poole and Weymouth have excellent connections with Europe via the ferry service direct to Cherbourg, St Malo, & the Channel Islands. Sailings from nearby Portsmouth add to the options. London is 2 hours via the M3 or direct rail line. Railway connections to Bath, Bristol, and to the Southwest are also excellent.
Dorset Rotations
The standard of primary & secondary care in Dorset is excellent & we enjoy a close relationship with our hospital colleagues. There are ample opportunities to attend outpatient clinics etc, and there are regular meetings & courses in the 3 Dorset postgraduate centres.
The rotations are currently being re-structured but most of the posts listed below will feature in one or more of the rotations available.
The Hospital element of the Dorset Vocational Training Schemes [VTS] run from the three main District General Hospitals of Bournemouth, Poole and Dorchester and can include attachments in Christchurch and St. Anne’s hospitals.
The Poole rotations and Bournemouth rotations in ST1/ST2 are four six month posts although in some specialties these are split into two separate three month attachments. The rotations include varied posts from the following selection: A&E, Elderly Medicine, General Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Paediatrics, Trauma and Orthopaedics, ENT, Dermatology, Psychiatry, Rheumatology and Rehabilitation medicine and Palliative medicine. Details of the individual rotations.
The Dorchester rotations in ST1/ST2 are six four month rotations. They include experience in A&E, Paediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Elderly Medicine, ENT and Trauma and Orthopaedics. Uniquely in Dorset a number of Dorchester rotations also include either four months extra GP Registrar [eGPR] or a four months elective. Details of the individual rotations.
The ST3 or GP Registrar year is spent in one of our many approved practices for GP training which are situated throughout Dorset both in the urban and rural areas. The rotations are administered from the department of General Practice at Bournemouth University. View more about individual practices.
