As a practice we are great enthusiasts of teaching and training. We believe it not only helps bring on the next generation of doctors and nurses, but also keeps us on our toes and up to date – and so helps us deliver the best quality of care to our patients.
We have a very long history of training both undergraduate medical students and postgraduate doctors, as well as sixth form students planning a career in medicine. We are also involved in the training of nurses and other health professionals. And finally we also are constantly learning from each other.
Some notes for patients
When you see the doctor or nurse, you may be asked if you are happy for another doctor or nurse in training to sit in on the consultation. We can reassure you that they are bound by the same rules of confidentiality as all the staff here. Most of our patients are happy with this arrangement and many find that the presence of a trainee adds something extra to the consultation for themselves. But if you prefer not to have anyone sitting in then do say so and we will be perfectly happy to see you in private.
For our medical student training in particular we do need your support! Patients help by volunteering to talk to students, either at home or in the clinic, and some allow themselves to be “guinea-pigs” so that the students can learn with a hands-on approach how to become a doctor. Without our volunteer patients, these students would struggle to learn what they need to become the doctors we will all rely on in the future. If you would like to add your name to the list of volunteers, please just tell any member of staff. Thank you!
F2s and GPSTRs Training
The practice is enthusiastically involved in training for F2 doctors and GPSTRs.
Within the practice there are three approved trainers, two very experienced former trainers, and one potential trainer. In fact, the whole team is involved in training in some way. We feel that with the experience and the enthusiasm of both trainers and non-trainers alike, the skill mix, and the huge resource within the practice that is the patients, the opportunities for learning are now enormous.
We take two F2s and a GPR concurrently. With such a mix of trainees we feel that the isolation sometimes felt by postgraduate trainees is less of a problem here. With the presence of even more doctors in training at the Easton Family Practice (also in the health centre) there is substantial mutual support. We encourage trainees from different years of training to plan their learning together, so there are shared tutorials when and where learning needs overlap. We also run a journal club where all the trainees in the health centre meet fortnightly to present and discuss a topical paper.
With the recent new build of the premises we are able to offer three fully equipped training rooms.
The practice has two former trainers who undertake OOH care and are able therefore to train in this important aspect of general practice.
We feel that the new larger practice offers wonderful training opportunities and would welcome any enquiries from anyone interested.
Drs Peter Allen, Shaba Nabi & Tahira Waraich would be happy to talk to you about training here.
Medical Student Teaching
The practice is enthusiastically involved in teaching undergraduate medical students in every year of the medical course at Bristol University.
Students come to the Charlotte Keel Health Centre to gain experience in General Practice, but also just to learn the basics, like how to talk to patients, how to take a medical history and examination techniques.
Dr Kate Nicholls is in charge of medical student teaching and would be happy to talk to any interested students.
Sixth form work experience
We are happy to take school sixth formers planning a career in medicine for a period of work experience. This includes time sitting in on consultations, which most students find a positive and inspiring experience. Please note that we do not take sixth formers from the practice area or who are registered with us, but can help find a suitable alternative practice if we are asked by such students. We are also happy to talk to patients of ours who wish to follow a career in medicine and answer any questions they may have
Dr Jo Fleming would be happy to talk to any sixth formers interested.
