Other training and development opportunities for doctors

Internal Medicine Training (IMT) is a 3 year programme aimed at giving doctors a wide breadth of knowledge across all medical specialties, in combination with procedural skills, to enable doctors to have a good general medical background to become the medical registrar.   All IMT trainees have the support of a dedicated Royal College Tutor RCT and Associate College Tutor who provide guidance and mentorship for trainees.   

During IMT1 and IMT2, trainees focus on developing core competencies in the assessment and management of acutely unwell patients, while gaining experience across a range of medical specialties such as cardiology, respiratory, gastroenterology, geriatrics, and endocrinology. Trainees are actively involved in the acute medical take, ward-based care, and are allocated dedicated clinic days to meet outpatient curriculum requirements. Alongside clinical work, there is a strong emphasis on workplace-based assessments, reflective practice, and regular educational supervision to support progression.

In IMT3, trainees step up to the role of the medical registrar, consolidating their clinical knowledge while developing leadership, decision-making, and supervisory skills. This year focuses on managing the acute take, coordinating patient care, and leading the multidisciplinary team, helping to prepare trainees for higher specialty training. Throughout all three years, trainees are supported in achieving procedural competencies, completing the MRCP qualification, and meeting curriculum requirements set by the Joint Royal Colleges of Physicians Training Board (JRCPTB).

IMT Clinical Procedures Course 

We run a dedicated Clinical Skills Procedures Course every 6–8 months, aimed primarily at IMT1 and IMT2 trainees. This hands-on course provides the opportunity to practice key curriculum procedures in a supportive environment, including central venous catheter (CVC) insertion, pleural aspiration and chest drain insertion, abdominal paracentesis, lumbar puncture, and nasogastric tube insertion.

COMETS (Core Medical Emergency Training using Simulation)

The COMETS course is a full day of simulation training in the recognition and management of acutely ill patients for core medical trainees. The course objectives are designed to meet learners’ needs for technical and non-technical skills. 

FAMUS (Focused Acute Medicine Ultrasound)

Our annual FAMUS (Focused Acute Medicine Ultrasound) course provides structured training in bedside ultrasound skills. This course is free for Southend trainees and offers an excellent opportunity to develop practical ultrasound competencies relevant to acute and general medicine.

MRCP Part 1 and 2 exams 

We provide comprehensive support for MRCP examinations. Trainees have free access via the library to the BMJ On Examination question bank for both Part 1 and Part 2, supporting exam preparation. You can claim a few days of study leave prior to each exam sitting to help with revision. 

MRCP PACES exams 

In 2025 we had 100% pass rate for IMTs sitting the MRCP PACES Exam.

For MRCP PACES, we offer fortnightly bedside teaching sessions led by consultants and registrars. These sessions focus on identifying patients with common clinical signs seen in the exam and include mock exam-style teaching, interactive discussions, and personalised feedback. This teaching is open to all trainees. Feedback has been consistently outstanding, with 100% of attendees rating the sessions as very good or exceptional. 

We provide mock PACES exams to assist in preparing them for their PACES exam, as well as hosting the third diet of the PACES exam for the Royal College of Physicians every year at Basildon.

An IMT trainee attending the mock PACES exam said:

It was excellent – we went through 4 really good cases from cardio, resp, and abdomen stations, all very relevant for PACES. The follow-up questions felt like real exam ones.”

Associate College Tutors said:

The Internal Medicine Training programme at Broomfield hospital provides a highly supportive and well-structured learning environment. As IMTs and Associate College Tutors, we value the strong supervision, approachable seniors, and excellent opportunities for clinical development and teaching, making it a rewarding and enriching training experience

Anybody requiring further information on this programme should speak to a member of the medical education team. 

We have over 250 GPs currently in training across our Trust.  Our GPs in training are supported locally via GP administrators (based in the site education centres)  along with the Training Programme Directors who are GPs working within the community.  

Hospital based clinical supervisors will be a first point of contact during the 12 month hospital training year and an allocated educational supervisor (community GP) is always available for any educational queries or support. 

Half day release takes place each Wednesday during term time and is predominantly held in our education centres.   

Links to each sites GPST programme are below: 

• Basildon Hosptial – visit https://heeoe.hee.nhs.uk/general_practice/basildon  
• Broomfield Hosptial – visit https://heeoe.hee.nhs.uk/general_practice/chelmsford  
• Southend Hosptial – visit https://heeoe.hee.nhs.uk/general_practice/southend  

Contact details

• Basildon Hospital – mse.medical.traininggp@nhs.net
• Broomfield Hosptial – mse.gpst.administrator@nhs.net  
• Southend Hosptial – mse.gpst.administration@nhs.net 

Testimonials

My journey with the MTI program at Southend has been nothing short of transformative. Walking into a new healthcare system was initially daunting, but Southend welcomed me with open arms

 

What truly stands out here is the incredible support from my colleagues and every staff member. Integration into the system has been seamless, with everyone willing to lend a listening ear and a helping hand when needed. My supervisors have been pillars of support, guiding me every step of the way. 

We provide an environment for higher trainees to engage in advanced clinical practice, academic and leadership roles, and their commitment to ongoing professional development ensures that trainees receive tailored support, enabling them to excel in their chosen specialties.  

A hub for Advanced Clinical and Professional Development

Higher trainees benefit from a rich programme of local and regional training days held throughout the year. These sessions are designed to strengthen specialty‑specific knowledge while encouraging collaborative learning across disciplines. Within the Trust, we host a range of NHSE regional training events, including:

• Regional Respiratory Day
• Regional Acute Internal Medicine Day
• Regional Acute Care Common Stem (ACCS) Training Day
• Regional Cardiology Day
• Regional Ready for Reg Day
• Regional Obstetrics & Gynaecology Procedural Day
• Regional Anaesthetic Skills and Simulation Day
• Ultrasound Boot Camp.

In addition to these structured events, registrars contribute to departmental education through Journal Clubs, small‑group presentations, and Hub Days, helping to cultivate a culture of shared learning and reflective practice.

Specialist Courses Available

Our Simulation Suite supports higher trainees by offering access to a wide variety of hands‑on courses that enhance procedural confidence and clinical capability. Examples include (not exhaustive):

• COMETS (Core Medical Emergency Training using Simulation)
• FAMUS (Focused Acute Medical Ultrasound)
• FUSIC (Focused Ultrasound in Intensive Care)
• Basic and Advanced Medical & Surgical Procedural Skills
• Surgical Wet Lab Training
• Endoscopy Training
• Becoming Simulation Faculty
• Human Factors & Communication Courses

All courses are delivered by experienced faculty and are designed to strengthen both technical and non‑technical skills in a safe, immersive environment.

Interested?

We welcome enquiries from trainees looking to expand their skills or explore new areas of specialty practice. 

To find out more or to book a place please contact the Simulation Suite team: mse.simulation.suite.btuh@nhs.net or call 0300 443 4672.

We have approximately 450 Locally Employed Doctors (LEDs) and a dedicated LED lead at each site.  

The LEDs also have the opportunity to participate in courses throughout the year to enhance their profile: 

• A tailored induction programme for locally-employed doctors on joining, which covers practical aspects such as the structure of teams, the wards, IT/digital systems, as well as signposting to important resources such as trust guidelines, NICE guidelines, etc. 
• Enhanced Induction for International Medical Graduates (Organised by NHSE) enhanced induction
• Clinical Skills Course  
• Simulation Course  
• IMT Procedural Skills Course  
• Simulation Course (COMET)  
• Focused Acute Medicine Ultrasound Course.

In the recent years we have organised courses for communication skills, interview skills, teaching courses for which we have received overwhelmingly positive feedback. 

In addition to these opportunities, as important members of the medical team, LEDs are invited to the same training/CPD sessions as other training-grade doctors, such as: 

• Weekly Medical Grand Rounds and departmental teaching sessions 
• Audit Meeting 
• Opportunities for teaching junior doctors (Foundation doctors) and medical students 
• Opportunities to participate in local audits/ QIPs.

We have over 200 specialty and specialist doctors (SAS).

Each site has a dedicated college tutor for support. 

SAS doctors also have the opportunity to participate in courses throughout the year to enhance their profile: 

• A tailored induction programme for locally-employed doctors on joining, which covers practical aspects such as the structure of teams, the wards, IT/digital systems, as well as signposting to important resources such as trust guidelines, NICE guidelines, etc. 
• Enhanced Induction for International Medical Graduates (Organised by NHSE) enhanced induction
• Clinical Skills Course  
• Simulation Course  
• Simulation Course (COMET)  
• Focused Acute Medicine Ultrasound Course.

In the recent years we have organised courses for communication skills, interview skills, teaching courses for which we have received overwhelmingly positive feedback. 

In addition to these opportunities, as important members of the medical team, SAS doctors are invited to the same training/CPD sessions as other training-grade doctors, such as: 

• Weekly Medical Grand Rounds and departmental teaching sessions 
• Audit Meeting 
• Opportunities for teaching junior doctors (Foundation doctors) and medical students 
• Opportunities to participate in local audits/ QIPs.

We have an active Clinical Observer programme in place which allows doctors wishing to return to clinical practice after a prolonged absence or to overseas qualified doctors wishing to continue their career in the UK.

A clinical observer placement is generally for four weeks with the observer being under the supervision of a named consultant. Many departments across the Trust participate and support applications from Clinical Observers.  

Importantly, this is strictly an observership role, therefore whilst in the Trust on a Clinical Observer placement, appointees must not under any circumstances:  

• Undertake any medical or surgical procedures 
• Write in the healthcare records or print patient hand over sheets.  
• Initiate, alter or stop the treatment of a patient on the appointee’s diagnosis.  
• Prescribe, request radiological examinations or other diagnostic investigations or order blood to be cross matched; if the appointee completes an order form for any of these purposes it must be signed by one of the supervising doctors before it is executed.  
• Take part in obtaining or witnessing the signature by or on behalf of a patient on a form of consent for treatment.  
• Assist in the operating theatre or carry out the operation or procedure themselves. Observers may attend the operating theatre as an observer only, providing they are under direct supervision. 

The Clinical Observership programme is very popular so applications must be be made well in advance and we are only able to offer one opportunity per applicant.  

Interested? 

If you are interested in knowing more, contact either: 

• Basildon Hospital — mse.clinicalobservers@nhs.net
• Broomfield Hospital – mse.clinicalobservers.sweplacements@nhs.net 
• Southend Hospital – mse.medical.education.suhft@nhs.net

Testimonials

The pre-employment process was exceptionally smooth, with clear communication and timely guidance at every stage.  On the first day, the team were genuinely supportive, ensuring I had everything I needed to settle in (even down to the smallest details) which made a meaningful difference as an IMG navigating a new system.