The Chiltern Vocational Training Scheme

The Scheme

The scheme has two course organisers, Dr Steven Cox based at the Simpson Centre, Beaconsfield, tel: 01494 671571, e-mail: steven.cox@nhs.net, and Dr Jacqueline Maxmin based at Highfield Surgery, Hazlemere, tel: 01494 813396, e-mail jackie.maxmin@nhs.net. Please feel free to contact us regarding any problems, either personal or professional/educational.

Meetings are held on a Tuesday in the Education Centre commencing at 09.30 am. A register of attendance is kept for all sessions and we expect the Registrars to attend and complete an evaluation form. This information will be used when planning future programmes. Further information regarding the scheme is contained below.

An Introductory course for Registrars throughout the region is held at Cumberland Lodge in October and November, and a Counselling course especially designed for GP Registrars on this scheme is held in January. In June we hold a residential course, again at Cumberland Lodge, to finalise preparations for life outside vocational training.

Deanery Courses

Registrars participate in the (free) deanery courses on Minor Surgery, Family Planning and Sexually Transmitted Infections, and Child Health Surveillance and child Protection. These give opportunities to share learning experiences with registrars from around the Oxford Region.

GP Refresher Courses

GP Refresher courses are held in the centre twice yearly in March and October and Registrars are welcome to attend two half day sessions free of charge.

Education Centre

The Education Centre is staffed from 08.15 am - 5.00 pm. All the administration for the course is done in the Education Centre. We operate an open door policy and you are welcome to call in at any time to discuss any issues that may arise. Sandra Harding is the centre manager, Jenny Denholm is the GP Administrator (tel: 01494 426382 or 01494 426386). The staff in the centre look forward to meeting you, so do call into the centre and introduce yourselves to them.

Library

The Library is staffed from 09.00 am - 05.30 pm Monday - Friday, The librarian is Lesley Martyn and she has an assistant, June Kendall. They are always available should you require any assistance (tel: 01494 426368).

Equipment available in the Centre

We have all the usual audio-visual equipment available in the centre, OHP, videos, slide projection, dual slide projection and LCD/computer for a Microsoft PowerPoint display.

Section 63

This is the official title of the budget devolved down to our scheme by Dr Simon Plint, Director of Postgraduate General Practice Education in Oxford. This is sub-divided into various sections, one of which funds your attendance at courses. This local section 63 allowance helps to resource our courses and out of that money we reserve £75 per Registrar, which can be claimed against courses aimed at personal/professional development. Please note you must apply in advance to the Postgraduate Office. Travel and subsistence are also reimbursed to a maximum of £110 per year, this money is claimable from Bucks Health Authority, and the form is available from the Education Office.

Schools

There are high quality schools in the area and further information can be obtained from the local Education Office, tel: 01494 47500.

If you require any further information please do not hesitate to contact a member of the Education Centre staff who will be happy to help.

Return to Chiltern VTS summary or read about the Chiltern VTS Day Release Programme.