Newham Hospital – a great place to train
Last week, multiple colleagues working across two areas – the neonatal unit and intensive care medicine – were recognised by external organisations for their brilliant, hard work in driving education and training forward at Newham Hospital.
In the London School of Paediatrics 2022 ‘Paediatric Award for Training Achievements (PAFTAs)', members of the neonatal unit team were shortlisted for not one, but two awards.
The entire unit was nominated and shortlisted for the 'training unit' award for ‘being a wonderful unit to train in’ and for being ‘very supportive and encouraging and nurturing everyone’s individual talents’. In addition, they noted that in the unit, ‘the teaching programme is consistent and structured and questions are always welcomed. Every ward round is filled with teaching, encouraging leadership, practising clinical decision-making and communication with parents.’
Within the same unit, Dr Muhammad Alam was also shortlisted for the educational supervisor award due to the fact that he is ‘very enthusiastic and takes extra steps to help his trainees’.
In the same week, the intensive care medicine (ICM) team at our hospital received a visit from Health Education England (HEE), who were reviewing the team’s training and education programme, speaking to trainees and the clinical and educational supervisors.
The feedback from HEE was fantastic. Some of the positive things they highlighted were:
- the tailored induction
- the supportive learning environment
- the formal and bedside teaching opportunities the good team ethos.
But perhaps the biggest positive to come out of the review was that all trainees and locally employed doctors who attended the review said they would recommend the department not only as a place to work, but also to their family and friends.
Across all departments, teams and individuals have championed education and driven training for all staff forward.
HEE provided a few recommendations as to how training in the ICM team can be improved further, but as a result of the positive feedback, they have confirmed that there are no immediate mandatory requirements or requirements for the team.
Speaking on the positive feedback on training at Newham Hospital, Dr Emma Young, director of medical education for Newham Hospital said: "A key way to make Newham Hospital a better place to work and be treated is to embed medical education at the heart of all we do. I’m proud to say that despite the challenges of the last two years, staff at the hospital have done just this. Across all departments, teams and individuals have championed education and driven training for all staff forward.
“We can always do more to improve how we provide training and education, and learning from teams and individuals who are doing it well is an important part of this. That’s why having this hard work and dedication to training recognised by two notable, external organisations is so fantastic. I’m so proud of everyone involved.”
A huge well done to all these teams on the fantastic feedback and to everyone at Newham Hospital who drives good education and training for all at the site.
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