Core training

There are a huge range of training opportunities for core trainees based across multiple sites.

These cover a wide range of psychiatry specialties, including:

• General adult inpatient
• General adult community
• First episode psychosis community
• General adult psychiatric intensive care unit
• Old age psychiatry inpatient
• Old page psychiatry community
• Liaison psychiatry
• Old age liaison psychiatry
• General adult perinatal (inpatient and community)
• Drug and alcohol (inpatient and community)
• CAMHS general adolescent community
• CAMHS looked after children community
• Intellectual disability inpatient
• Intellectual disability community
• Specialist neurodevelopmental
• Forensic psychiatry high secure hospital
• General adult CRISIS team 

As a core trainee in Nottingham, you may be based at Highbury Hospital, the main general adult psychiatric hospital. However, there are also core trainees based at Hopewood Hospital, Rampton Hospital, the Queens Medical Centre, and several other community hubs throughout Nottinghamshire.

The Institute of Mental Health (IMH) is one of the leading inter-disciplinary mental health institutes in the UK. It is formed by a partnership between the University of Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Healthcare. Since its formation in 2006, the Institute has established a track record of success, with achievements in pioneering and innovative, service-facing, inter-disciplinary research. It hosts eight centres of excellence, alongside other key areas of mental health research. Those interested are encouraged to explore the IMH's website.

Clinical core trainees are also encouraged to get involved in research. If there is a particular area of research or project which they would like to work on they are encouraged to discuss this with their clinical and educational supervisors to facilitate them being able to complete this, as well as discussing this with the academic at the University of Nottingham.

The Trust also has a service which can aid a trainee in their research including access to healthcare databases such as UK CRIS and a specialist database searching service through the information services. 

Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust has embedded culture of continuous quality improvement. Core trainees can be involved in quality improvement projects within their roles or throughout the Trust. Those who wish to learn more about quality improvement can sign up to participate in day or half-day quality improvement training workshops to gain qualifications in quality improvement such as the Bronze or Silver award.

Core trainees are also encouraged to take on clinical leadership roles and may wish to act as trainee representative on local, regional, and national committees. The trainee who has shown the most impressive leadership over the year is awarded the Young Leader / Innovative Practice award at the Trust's annual medical education conference. Previous trainees particularly interested in leadership may wish to apply for training opportunities within the Trust / East Midlands such as Leadership Fellowships or Masters level apprenticeships in Strategic Leadership. 

The Royal College of Psychiatrists set out specific psychotherapy competencies a core trainee must complete during their training. This includes attendance at Balint Groups and completion of two supervised psychotherapy cases, one long case and one short case.

Core trainees placed in Nottinghamshire Healthcare can attend weekly Balint Groups. This group is led by Dr Helena Vassiliadis, Consultant Medical Psychotherapist.

Core trainees are assigned a psychotherapy tutor who will meet with them throughout the year to monitor psychotherapy progress and help them plan their time to meet their psychotherapy competencies.

Core trainees can complete their psychotherapy cases in several psychotherapeutic models e.g. psychodynamic psychotherapy, cognitive behavioural therapy, family therapy, or group cognitive behavioural therapy. 

Less Than Full Time (LTFT) Training (previously Flexible Training) is a great and available opportunity for many reasons including caring responsibilities, health needs and to explore non-clinical training. Any doctor in training can apply for LTFT training.

LTFT training should offer you the same opportunities as your full-time colleagues although there should be flexibility from all parties to ensure you meet your training needs and service/out of hours cover, whilst trying to maintain your preferred working days.

You should be aware that your training will take longer to complete and if you choose to work 60%, for example, you will be paid approximately 60% and be expected to complete 60% out of hours commitments to that of your full-time colleagues.

It is recommended that the application and approval process is completed within three months from enquiry to completion of approval. In order to agree a preferred start date, all parties (including the Champion of Less than full time Working, Medical Workforce, Educational Supervisors, Programme Director, colleagues and the Trainee) should liaise to agree a mutually convenient start date.

Resources 

The following resources are available to understand more about LTFT including application process, pay and rota queries.

• BMA guidance on flexible training
• Less Than Full-Time Training (LTFT):  This contains advice on eligibility for LTFT, how to apply, information on pay and rotas.
• Rota and rostering guidance for LTFT doctors
• BMA Good Rostering Guide
• Health Education England -Delivering Greater Flexibility
• Financial advice
• LTFT Trainees Facebook Forum
• Contact information