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Almost 160 new doctors start at the Trust
In August, almost 160 junior doctors have joined Ashford and St Peter's Hospitals NHS Trust. This includes almost 100 doctors who are in their first (Foundation Year 1) or second (Foundation Year 2) year of training after completing medical school. They will complete a one year programme of three rotations, across a variety of departments including medicine, surgery, A&E, intensive care, paediatrics, maternity, anaesthetics, radiology and psychiatry. In addition, around 60 other doctors will join as GP and Specialty Trainees – having completed their Foundation programme and to gain more expereince in their chosen speciality.
Dr Peter Martin, Consultant Neonatal Paediatrician and Head of Postgraduate Education, said: "We'd like to extend a warm welcome to all of our new doctors. We know it is a steep learning curve, especially for our FY1 doctors who have just finished university. We have an excellent Postgraduate centre at the Trust and a great team of colleagues to help and support our new recruits."
Dr Martin explains that the junior doctors at Ashford and St Peter's Hospitals are recruited through the South Thames Foundation School, which is fed by some top universities and medical schools, such as Kings College London and St George's University of London. He adds: "We have more F1 and F2 posts than any other local hospital Trust and are a popular choice because of the excellent teaching opporutnities offered and convenient location of both hospital sites, being close to London."
Jasmine Arnold, Laura Fisher and Jessica Banks have started as FY1 doctors. Jasmine studied at Plymouth University's Peninsula School of Medicine and Dentistry and said: "My mother was a nurse and that sparked my interest in healthcare and training to become a doctor. My rotations this year are gastroenterology, paediatrics and orthogeriatrics. Longer term I'm interested in specialising in paediatrics or general practice; but for now I'm looking forward to getting stuck in and getting to know the other junior and senior doctors."
Laura graduated from University College London and says: "I've always been interested in science and see myself as a people-person. It seemed natural to want to use those things together to go into medicine. My rotations are anaesthetics, respiratory and community psychiatry and I'm looking forward to finally putting into practice all of the training and study! I'm not entirely sure what the future holds but currently think I may like to specialise in either general practice, respiratory or emergency medicine."
Jessica has come from Newcastle University and has an interest in specialising in either gastroenterology or obstetrics and gynaecology. She says: "I've always wanted to be a doctor as I'm good at science and enjoy working with and helping other people. My rotations are cardiology, anaesthetics and colorectal and I'm most looking forward to meeting these teams and finally getting out to work! Longer term I'd love to get involved with a global health organisation and to work in Africa."
Pictured above: New Foundation Year 1 doctors (from left to right) Jasmine Arnold, Laura Fisher, Jessica Banks and Jack Goodall.
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