Great Western Hospital nhs foundation Trust

Teaching Experience Opportunities

Our undergraduate Teaching Programme is very popular as it provides Foundation Trainees with the opportunity to run tutorials for groups of up to five medical Students. These teaching sessions typically cover clinical skills, examination, history taking and acute scenarios.

Testimonials from GWH Foundation Trainees

“Becoming an F1 doctor is a pretty daunting task but the people around you can make the transition so much easier. Here at GWH I have been so lucky to work with some fantastic senior members of staff who not only provide support but some great teaching. Most departments will give additional teaching to the scheduled weekly F1 teaching. They regularly encourage feedback to improve the system and actually care about what the junior members of staff have to say!

I have also been fortunate enough to carry out a number of practical procedures. I think we are very lucky in this trust to have the opportunity to work in the acute assessment unit – this develops your clinical and practical skills as an F1 – a great experience! I have enjoyed my time at GWH so far and I would thoroughly recommend this hospital.”

Selina Bismohun, F1 (2011)

“Swindon Hospital provides an excellent foundation for the beginning of life as a Doctor. With the incorporation of acute assessment unit rotations into the medical rota you get valuable exposure, in a safe environment, to a wide range of acute medical scenarios which equips you better to handle situations you routinely face on the wards. The support from SHOs to Consultants, admin and nursing staff is excellent and you never feel up a creek without a paddle. The commute from Bristol is very do-able too!”

Mark Gillam, F1 (2011)

“The Great Western Hospital in Swindon has been a fantastic place to start as an FY1. My first rotation has been medicine. In any medicine job, you alternate between a specialist medical ward for 7 weeks and the Acute Assessment Unit (AAU) for 7 weeks etc. I was starting on AAU and was petrified. However daunting this was, plunging in at the deep end, I was so lucky to have the opportunity to work in acute medicine. It is so rewarding, often being the first doctor to see the patient. You get loads of practical experience and can really put all that finals knowledge into practice for yourself, with a feeling of responsibility I think we all crave at the end of medical school. Yet you are never alone, there are always seniors to ask advice from if you have any worries and I feel really well supported in the department. Although quite hard work with long hours (I don’t know what I was expecting!) above all, I found AAU great fun, with loads of junior doctors and other members of staff it has been a good laugh along the way.

I do not know any other trusts that offer this great general medicine experience, with all FY1s working in AAU at some point. I would thoroughly recommend Swindon as a top choice for foundation years."

Tessa Whitehead, F1 (2011)

The Academy

The Academy is a highly successful multi-professional education centre, situated within on the Lower Ground Floor of the Great Western Hospital. The Academy boasts state of the art education facilities including telemedicine, video conferencing, extensive IT, an excellent multi profession Library as well as a full range of education rooms, clinical skills lab and lecture theatres.

Our aim is to increase the quality of care to our patients and meet the present and future Education, Training & Development needs of all Trust staff and students. We strive to ensure that individuals are supported in obtaining the necessary knowledge, skills and behaviours; to provide an evolving and continually improving high quality standard of health care to patients and service users and to meet these needs within a multi-disciplinary and supportive environment providing a first class service at all times.

Useful Contacts

Postgraduate Medical Education

Manager Amy Cook [phone]

Senior GP Education Co-ordinator Siobhan Timms [phone]

Academy Reception Amanda Bell [phone]

The Academy offices are usually open between 8.00am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday.

Academy Library:

All GWH staff are entitled to membership of the Library. The Library is staffed from 08:30 – 17:30 Mondays to Thursdays, 08:30 - 17:00 Fridays; however, your Trust ID badge will give you access to the library at all times.

There are over 50 study spaces, including 24 computers with access to the internet as well as the library catalogue (www.swims.nhs.uk), reference databases (www.swice.nhs.uk) or NHS electronic journals (journals.library.nhs.uk).

Librarians

Head Librarian Sam Burgess [e-mail]
UWE Link Librarian Nicola Ranger Ext 4596
Senior Library Assistants Ann Vellender Ext 4593

Trish McLean Ext 4593

Library Assistants Bridget Romans Ext 4596

Judith Wingfield Ext 4596

The GWH Annual Audit Prize

Participation in Research and Audit Projects is actively encouraged among trainee doctors at the GWH.


2011 Results
Gold Award - Introduction of patient-controlled epidural analgesia to the delivery suite at GWH. Dr Matthew Drake & Dr Juan Graterol (Anaesthetics Registrar)
Silver Award - Standardising routine neonatal checks, their documentation and adherence to NICE guidelines. Dr Abigail Gee & Dr Gemma Gough (F1 & F2)
Bronze Award - Ward troponin audit & re-audit. Dr Rachel Jones (F1)

Runners Up:

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  Dr Lucy Parker & Dr Sarah Bates (F1 & Rheumatology Registrar)
  
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  Ms Angie Smith (Senior Orthoptist)
  
• 
  Dr Aidi Halim Lim (F1)
  

Things to do in Swindon

Sport and Leisure

GWH Netball

“Tuesday netball is great!”
Jenny Millard, F2 (2011)

Dorcan Sports Centre (The Dome)

Every Tuesday 6.00 – 7.00pm

£2.00 per game

Contacts: Susan Webb – Ext. 5141 or Bleep 1419 or Denise Cholod – Ext. 4616

5 A Side Football

Faringdon Leisure Centre, Faringdon

Every Monday night, 9-10 pm

Contact Dr Nick Ridley for more info ext 5069 or [e-mail]

Broome Manor Gym & Golf Complex

Facilities available include:

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  18-hole golf course
  
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  9-hole golf course
  
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  34-bay driving range
  
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  Putting green
  
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  Practice area
  
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  PGA professional golf coaching
  
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  PGA professional shop
  
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  Disabled golfer's buggy
  
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  Gym
  

Oasis Leisure Centre

Facilities available include:

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  Lagoon Swimming Pool, with 3 giant water slides ('Domebusters'), wave machine, water cannon, hydroslide and waterslide
  
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  Gym
  
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  Multi-purpose sports hall (eight courts)
  
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  Fitness classes
  
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  Indoor bowling
  
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  4 outdoor pitches
  
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  Squash courts
  
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  Recreation sessions
  

Health Hydro

Housed in a Victorian building, The Health Hydro has two separate pools to meet the needs of many groups of swimmers. The 33m conventional pool is purpose made for those wishing to swim lengths to build up fitness or to improve their competition skills. The 18m pool is perfect for those learning to swim and provides a comfortable swimming environment for those who enjoy warm water.

Facilities available include:

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  Two swimming pools
  
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  Gym
  
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  Turkish baths
  
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  Natural health clinic
  
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  Fitness classes
  

Link Centre

Facilities available include:

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  Ice rink
  
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  25m deck level swimming pool
  
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  Climbing wall
  
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  Gym
  
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  Health suite
  
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  Fitness classes
  
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  Multi-purpose sports hall (eight-court)
  
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  3G Outdoor Pitches
  
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  Squash courts
  
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  Snooker hall
  
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  Recreation sessions
  
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  Kitstopshop (Ice and sports goods)
  
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  Library
  

Swindon Tenpin Bowling

Facilities available include:

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  32 Bowling Lanes & Cosmic Bowling
  
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  6 American Pool Tables
  
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  2 English Pool Tables
  

Swindon Speedway & Dog Racing Stadium

Swindon Robins Speedway is situated at Abbey Stadium, racing take place Thursday evenings March – October. The stadium is also home to greyhound racing.
Lydiard Park

Lydiard Park is a beautiful historic parkland on the western edge of Swindon. The Palladian house, walled garden, parkland and children's play area offer something for everyone, all year round.

Lydiard Park was once the ancestral home of the Viscounts Bolingbroke, so there's a wealth of history in the beautifully-restored State Rooms of Lydiard House, with its original furnishings, ornate plasterwork and family portraits. Next door, St Mary's Church is packed with intriguing monuments to the St John family, including the unique triptych and Golden Cavalier statue.

Cotswold Water Park Leisure Guide

The Cotswold Water Park is an area of 140 lakes, set in 40 square miles of countryside.

From country parks, angling lakes, sailing clubs, picturesque villages to campsites, hotels, country inns and much more there is plenty for everyone to explore!

On land:
Aerial Adventure	Cycle Hire	Horse riding
Angling	Farm Visits	Nature Reserves
Bird watching	Golf	Playgrounds
Camping	Guided Walks

On water:
Bathing Beach	Ringo Rides	Wakeboarding
Canoeing	Sailing	Waterskiing
Kayaking	Swimming	Windsurfing
Paddling

Avebury

Avebury lies in the heart of the Wiltshire Downs just west of Marlborough, the most ancient borough in England. Avebury stone circles are thought to have been constructed in Neolithic times between 2500 to 2000 BC. The Beaker people, so called after their pottery, are thought to have played a major role in their formation.

Avebury is more than just a stone circle – although this is its main feature. There is also a rampart, a ditch, and two mysterious avenues. Avebury also hosts a museum which houses one of the most important prehistoric archaeological collections in Britain.

Barbury Castle

The ancient earthworks known as Barbury Castle are on the northern edge of the Marlborough Downs. The site lies within the Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and has been designated as a country park since 1971. The principal focal points of the park are the Iron Age hill fort, covering about twelve acres, the adjacent round barrows, Celtic field systems and 18^th-19^th Century flint workings.

The park location provides visitors with a convenient gateway to the neighbouring chalk downs, and an opportunity to venture into the unspoiled surrounding countryside, rich in history and archaeology.

Coate Water Country Park

Whatever the season, Coate Water offers visitors a great day out, With energy to burn you could try your hand at the pitch and putt or one of the orienteering courses, or if you just want to relax, there are areas to fish, bird watch, play, picnic, barbecue and even tranquil places to unwind on busy days. If you want to venture further a field, there are a number of walks to local villages and a longer seven-mile (11km) walk to Barbury Castle. The park is situated to the left of the hospital, just a short walk away.

Wyvern Theatre

The Wyvern Theatre opened in September 1971 by Her Majesty the Queen and His Royal Highness Prince Phillip. The auditorium has 635 seats and every seat is designed to be no further than 70ft from the stage. Wyvern Theatre is named after a mythical beast, similar to a dragon, which was once the emblem of the Kings of Wessex.

For information about performances and ticket bookings visit www.wyverntheatre.org.uk or contact the box office on: [phone].

Cinema

There are 2 cinemas in Swindon; a Cineworld at Shaw Ridge, West Swindon and an Empire cinema at the Greenbridge Retail Park.

“Paediatrics is very good for training – you get a lot of teaching and a lot of support. There are a lot of procedures; I’ve been exposed to lumbar puncture, and as well blood-taking and doing basics is very different in children compared to in adults but it’s all very interesting! It is very difficult to attend the F2 teaching programme whilst working on Paediatrics because of the rota system, but we do a lot of in-house training. There are 2 formal teaching sessions a week which makes up for it!”

Charlie Kenward, F2 (2011)

Shopping & Grocery Shopping

Shopping in the Town Centre

The town centre offers a fabulous mixture of shops. Many of these are located within the Brunel Shopping Centre. Here you will find big names such as Marks & Spencer, House of Fraser Outlet as well as the more specialist stores that include Just Add Water, John Anthony and Forum. There are many café bars, pubs and restaurants for you to take a break in. The town centre also turns into a buzzing and lively night attraction.

Great Western Designer Outlet Village

Europe’s largest covered designer outlet village has over 100 designer label shops there are discounts of between 30% and 50% off top brands. The amazing selection of stores includes Polo Jeans Company, Burberry, Olsen, Thomas Pink and Ted Baker. There is also a great selection of top high street brands that include Gap, Next, Marks & Spencer and many more. The dedicated ‘At Home ‘section offers everything from china and crystal to furnishings and kitchenware shops. The Outlet Village is unique due to its setting in the splendidly restored Victorian buildings of the Great Western Railway. There is also a food court, which is dominated by a locomotive – currently Hagley Hall, whose sister locomotive starred in Harry Potter.

The Old Town Shopping Experience

A visit to Swindon’s Old Town area is a pleasant and enjoyable experience. Set in the old heart of Swindon you will be surrounded by the splendour of Swindon’s past. There are also other attractions in Old Town such as the Town Gardens, Lawn Parks and the Old Town Bowl, which is the venue for Swindon’s unique annual World Music Festival. There is a farmers market every month which is located in the area behind Wood Street. You will also find the Swindon Museum and Art Gallery which houses one of the finest collections of modern art in the country. There are also many cafes, pubs and restaurants to relax in.

Orbital Shopping Park

Orbital Shopping Park can be found in North Swindon, just up the A419 from the hospital. There are many different retailers including Next, New Look, Comet, Homebase, Marks & Spencer, Boots, JJB Sports & Gym, Pizza Hut, McDonalds and Asda Walmart. There is also a walk in fountain water feature and kids play area.

Greenbridge Retail Park

Greenbridge Retail Park is situated on the outskirts of the town centre and houses approximately 20 different retailers, restaurants and leisure facilities. It is open 7 days a week and most units are open from 8.00am – 8.00pm on weekdays.

Grocery Shopping

There are a number of different supermarkets dotted around Swindon, including a Tesco Extra, 2 Sainsbury’s, Asda and Asda Walmart as well as Morrison’s, Lidl & Aldi.