Infection Curricula Mapping to Rotation
Infectious Diseases and Medical Microbiology Programmes
Wessex Deanery
September 2013
Programme content and objectives
The Wessex Infection Training programme is a newly established dual scheme where Infectious
diseases (ID) training is linked to either Medical Microbiology (MM) or general Internal
medicine (GIM). It is a five to six years programme split between the two components. This split
is not rigid and allows for the overlap between MM, ID and GIM as well as individual trainee’s
interests, previous experiences and training opportunities. ID/GIM is typically a five year
programme while ID/MM is usually six years depending on previous experience.
The introduction of these joint programmes to Wessex in Aug 2013 was in preparation for the
new national infection training expected to start in 2015 when joint ID/MM and ID/GIM trainees
will be in a good position to seamlessly transfer to the new curriculum.
The aim of the infection training programmes in Wessex is to train infection specialists to the
required standards set by the JRCPTB and RCPath training committees as described in the
relevant curricula leading to the award of a Certificate of completion of training (CCT) in ID/MM
or ID/GIM.
The specific objectives are:
 To obtain clinical competence at consultant level in the assessment, investigation,
diagnosis and management of community acquired infection
 To obtain clinical competence at consultant level in the management of
immunocompromised patients including those suffering from HIV/AIDS
 To acquire the skills necessary at consultant level to recognise and manage hospital
acquired infections, and institute prevention and control systems
 To achieve competence at consultant level in the diagnosis, investigation and
management of imported infection and in the provision of advice in relation to travel
medicine
 To achieve competence at consultant level in the diagnosis, investigation and
management of chronic infections such as tuberculosis and viral hepatitis (B & C).
 To obtain laboratory and clinical competence at consultant level of pre-analytical,
analytical and post analytical aspects of medical microbiology and virology (MM/ID
only)
 To obtain an understanding of the role of the microbiologist and virologist and the
importance of microbiological techniques and their interpretation in Infectious Diseases
and to understand the process and constraints around the microbiological report
(ID/GIM)
 To become competent in all aspects of the management of antibiotic use including
antibiotic stewardships and antibiotic MDT rounds.
 To obtain an understanding of research methodology and the practical implementation of
research projects
 To have the opportunity for additional enhanced training in specific areas related to
Infectious Diseases e.g. Infection prevention and control, Paediatric ID, HPE (reference
and specialist laboratories and communicable diseases control), Virology attachment,
attachment to a specialist HIV unit, TB/respiratory Medicine.
Dr Fatima El Bakri. TPD
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
To have the opportunity, if desired and appropriate, to participate in clinical or laboratory
based research related to Infectious Diseases by taking time out of programme if
prospectively agreed by training authorities (9 months for ACF posts).

To become competent at Consultant level on all aspects of infection prevention and
control in both community and healthcare settings.
Postgraduate Medical Education
During each part of the rotation scheme, Specialty trainees will be required to further their
education both personally and collectively. There will be opportunities for attending courses
subject to Study Leave being granted by the employing Trust. Like all specialities funding for
study leave is limited and trainees are encouraged to apply for extra funding from the trust’s
director of medical Education and the deanery to help them attend desirable courses e.g. the MSc
course in London, Tropical diseases, mycology and infection control courses.
Regional training days occur monthly and trainees are expected to attend all training days, unless
on leave, and to lead the organisation and delivery of days taking place in their hospital with
support and advice from the departmental lead educator.
Educational supervision
Each trainee will be assigned one educational supervisor per placement rather than one for the
duration of training.
The educational supervisor must undertake regular educational appraisal with his/her trainee(s),
and as a minimum at the beginning, middle and end of every year of training, to ensure structured
and goal-oriented delivery of training.
Trainees must register with JRCPTB and The Royal College of Pathologists (ID/MM only) on
appointment including Locum Appointment for Training (LAT) or Fixed Term Specialty
Training Appointment (FTSTA).
It is the trainee’s responsibility to familiarise him/herself with the relevant curricula and
assessment requirements both for the satisfactory completion of each stage of training and the
award of the CCT. They must be familiar with all aspects of the assessment system; workplace
based assessment including multi-source feedback, the Year 1 Medical Microbiology and
Virology Assessment, The RCP speciality certificate exam (SCE) and the FRCPath part 1 and 2
examinations.
It is the trainee’s responsibility to ensure that they apply in good time for any assessments and
examinations that demand an application. Trainees must also make appropriate use of the LEPT
system and e portfolio of the Royal Colleges and e-learning resources.
Learning methods
This section identifies the types of situations in which a trainee could learn but is not exhaustive.
Learning with Peers - e.g. the monthly training days, direct interaction with more experienced
trainees and examination preparation groups and learning sets.
Work-based Experiential Learning - The content of work-based experiential varies according
to the module and placement ranging from laboratory duties, telephone advice, ward rounds,
outpatient clinics, speciality specific takes, post take ward rounds, interactions with laboratory,
ward, infection control and pharmacy staff.
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Every patient seen and every significant result provides a learning opportunity, which will be
enhanced by following the patient through the course of their illness and critical reading and
reflection on clinical problems. Observing a consultant or fellow trainee act on a significant result
or see a patient is an opportunity for learning. Ward rounds, including those post-take, should be
led by a consultant and include feedback on clinical and decision-making skills. This enhances
the opportunities for trainees to experience the application of knowledge to practice. Multidisciplinary team meetings (MDT) also provide excellent opportunities for observation of clinical
reasoning.
Trainees have supervised responsibility for the care of in-patients. This includes day to-day
review of clinical conditions, note keeping, and the initial management of the acutely ill patient
with referral to and liaison with clinical colleagues as necessary. The degree of responsibility
taken by the trainee will increase as competency increases.
Shadowing the Hospital Infection Control doctor (ICD) provides useful learning opportunities
especially at high level management through direct involvement in ICD and Director of Infection
Prevention and Control (DIPC) activities. Attending infection control committee and outbreak
control meetings and involvement in writing reports and policies are essential to gain the required
competencies for MM and ID training.
Involvement in specialist consultation services e.g. for surgical, bone and joint, ITU,
haematology/oncology rounds and medical units also provides essential learning opportunities.
Formal Postgraduate Teaching – There are numerous opportunities at the local, regional and
national levels. Examples include: case presentations, journal clubs, audit conferences, lectures
and small group teaching and training programmes organised on a deanery or regional basis.
Independent Self-Directed Learning -Trainees will use this time in a variety of ways depending
upon their stage of learning. Suggested activities include: reading, including web-based material,
maintenance of personal portfolio (self-assessment, reflective learning, and personal development
plan), audit and research projects, and journals
Formal Study Courses - Subject to local conditions of service, attendance is encouraged at
approved courses and Regional/National specialist meetings. Examples include: British Infection
Association meetings and trainee days, Federation of Infection Societies’ annual meeting, British
HIV Association Meetings, FRCPath educational meetings, practical examination course, updates
in TB, viral hepatitis and tropical medicine/travel medicine, infection control courses and British
antimicrobial chemotherapy workshops.
Rotation planning:
The sequence of training modules will vary between trainees and some trainees may spend more
than one year per module depending on the overall plan and their training needs. E.g. a trainee
could spend two years of MM followed by two of ID while another might alternate annually
between ID and MM.
Individual Modules
Microbiology training:
This is provided mainly in QA Hospital/Portsmouth and HHFT (Winchester and Basingstoke
Hospitals). However, there are essential components of microbiology training that are only
available at Southampton University Hospitals and it is essential that those aspects are covered
there. Virology training is available in all centres providing varied experiences ranging from
standard DGH virology to highly complex diagnostic and management cases.
This document aims to map the curriculum to the rotation and does not repeat or include all the
details that are in the MM curriculum. It is the responsibility of the trainees to ensure that all the
details of the curriculum are included in their annual training and learning agreements.
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Assessment of progress to competence in MM:
Stage A
Introductory
The trainee has comprehensive understanding of principles and practises under
direct supervision. Pre OSPE
Stage B
Intermediate
The trainee has a good general knowledge and understanding of most principles
and practises under indirect supervision. He/she should be able to deal with most
of the day-to-day issues in a hospital microbiology or virology laboratory to an
adequate level but will still require significant consultant input with regard to
complex management and clinical issues. Pre FRCPath Part 1
Stage C
Intermediate
The trainee has a good general knowledge and understanding of most principles
and practises under indirect supervision. He/she should be able to deal with most
of the day-to-day issues in a hospital microbiology or virology laboratory to an
adequate level with consultant backup with regard to complex management and
clinical issues. Post FRCPath Part 1 and pre Part 2
Stage D
Independent
The trainee has an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the principles of
infection diagnosis and treatment. He/she should be competent to discuss and
deal with the subject (or, where appropriate, perform the task/procedure),
demonstrating a level of clinical or professional judgement commensurate with
independent practice at consultant level. It is anticipated that a trainee at this level
should have consultant input readily available at all times where required. Post
FRCPath part 2
Assessment tools per stage:
Stage
Assessment tool
A
B
OSPE. ARCP, Educational Supervisor’s report, WPBA (6 DOPS & 6 CBD)
FRCPath part I, ARCP, Educational Supervisor’s report, WPBA (6 DOPS, 6 CBD
& 1 MSF )
FRCPath part II, ARCP, Educational Supervisor’s report, WPBA (6 DOPS, 6 CBD
& 1 MSF )
ARCP, Educational Supervisor’s report, WPBA (6 DOPS, 6 CBD & 1 MSF )
C
D
General Internal Medicine
The curriculum requirement is for five years experience in GIM: two years CMT and three
associated with and within specialty training. Typically this is a five year training programme
post CMT with three required for GIM CCT. This is to allow for the significant overlap between
GIM and ID and the fact that speciality specific experience counts toward GIM training.
This training is delivered jointly between UHS and Oxford Hospitals (Churchill, John Radcliff,
Nuffield orthopaedic and Horton Hospitals).
For GIM CCT the requirements set out in the curriculum are:
 1000 patients in acute take recognising that acute patients admitted to specialty (ID) as
well as new ward referrals can also count.
 186 patients in outpatient setting
 Practical procedures: central line, intercostal drain for pneumothorax, abdo paracentesis
etc.
Evidence of progression at ARCP:
 WPBAs: 10 per year of which 6 must be ACATs
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 Audit and MSF as per curriculum
 PYA: the JRCPTB recommends the separation of ID and GIM ARCP/PYA to ensure
trainees are progressing in both aspects of training
Infectious Diseases:
This is mainly delivered in UHS with additional outpatient clinic experience (Hepatitis, Lyme and
GUM including HIV) at HHFT and PHT.
Training objectives:
1. To obtain clinical competence in the assessment, investigation, diagnosis and
management of infection at consultant level
2. To obtain competence at consultant level in the management of the HIV infected and
other immune- compromised patients
3. To acquire the skills necessary at consultant level to recognise, manage and control
hospital acquired infection (HAI), including intensive care (ICU) related illness
4. To achieve competence at consultant level in the diagnosis, investigation and
management of imported infection and the provision of pre-travel health advice
5. To obtain an understanding of the role of the microbiologist and virologist and the
importance of microbiological techniques in ID and to understand the process and
constraints around the microbiological report
6. To become competent in all aspects of the management of antibiotic use
7. To obtain an understanding of research and audit methodology and the practical
implementation of research and audit projects
Some of the objectives listed above will be exceeded depending on the other module the training
is combined with e.g. objectives 3, 5 and 6 and MM training.
The training to be provided at each training site is defined below to ensure that, during the
programme, the relevant curricula are covered and to avoid unnecessary duplication and
educationally unrewarding experiences. However, the sequence of training should ideally be
flexible enough to allow for the trainee’s previous experiences and special interests.
The ID curriculum is deliberately not prescriptive about the structure of the training programme
and the following experiences are locally defined and are considered to be essential components
of ID training:
• A period in Medical Microbiology/Virology, gaining experience in diagnostic
microbiology, rational use of antimicrobials, and infection control strategies.
Experience should be gained that would be equivalent to a minimum of 6 month
for ID/GIM and 3 years for ID/MM
• ITU experience, either through a specific attachment (minimum three months) or
regular liaison
• HIV medicine: mainly as outpatient care in Southampton and Portsmouth.
Inpatients are looked after by respiratory physicians at UHS (50 admissions per
year) and medical take consultants in other hospitals in Wessex. Trainees will be
encouraged to join outpatient clinics and to review in patients with medical
consultants in all placements in Wessex to ensure adequate experience. In BNHH
there is an opportunity to attend six joint HIV/Hepatitis reviews of
Haemophiliacs per year. The reviews are undertaken by Consultant Hepatologist
and GUM Consultant.
• Unselected patients with acute community acquired Infectious Diseases
(minimum 120/year)
• Travel-related medicine including pre-travel advice and illness in the returning
traveller
• Infection in the immunocompromised host
Dr Fatima El Bakri. TPD
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•
Management of chronic viral hepatitis (weekly out patients clinics at UHS, and
BNHH)
• Management of Mycobacterial infections: 60-70 TB cases per year under clinical
supervision of a respiratory physician at UHS (mixture of 20 inpatient cases per
year and 40 outpatient clinics per year as well as MDT meetings)
• Hospital acquired infection including MRSA, C.difficile, SSIs, bone and joint,
pneumonia and device related infections
• Infection control and antimicrobial stewardship.
It is strongly recommend, but not compulsory, for a trainee to have the opportunity for additional
enhanced training in specific areas related to ID including clinical virology, clinical
pharmacology, public health and epidemiology, GU Medicine, vaccinology, overseas practice and
global response to outbreak / disaster situations.
Assessments:
 The Specialty Certificate Examination in Infectious Diseases (SCE)
 Advanced Life Support Certificate (ALS)
 Workplace-based assessments (WPBAs):
• Multi-Source Feedback (MSF)
• mini-Clinical Evaluation Exercise (mini-CEX)
• Direct Observation of Procedural Skills (DOPS)
• Case-Based Discussion (CbD)
• Patient Survey (PS)
• Acute Care Assessment Tool (ACAT)
• Audit Assessment (AA)
• Teaching Observation (TO)
 PYA: the JRCPTB recommends the separation of ID and GIM ARCP/PYA to ensure
trainees are progressing in both aspects of training
The Diploma of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene and The Diploma of HIV Medicine are strongly
recommended, but are not mandatory requirements of training.
Induction
Trainees should be inducted into a department ideally within their first week of arrival. This
process should be completed by the designated trainer, another consultant in the department and
the laboratory manager.
Induction details and arrangements will vary according to the trainee’s experience and the
hospital placement. As a guide a speciality trainee new to microbiology will be expected to spend
8-12 weeks as induction to the department. This includes introduction to bench and clinical
microbiology activities.
Induction to ID and GIM will vary depending on the trainees experience and training modules.
Attendance of Wessex deanery induction and patient safety training is mandatory. ID/MM
trainees are encouraged to attend the RCPath new trainees’ day.
Out of hours experience
Out of hours experience is available at all sites in Wessex with varying remunerations to reflect
the intensity and frequency of the on call. A trainee has to be signed off by the lead educator
within the department before they can start. The trainee will be supervised by a designated
Consultant when on call.
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Training components per placement
BNHH:
Key targets are: MM training, complex surgical and orthopaedic infections, Infection prevention
and control, management and leadership experience, Haemophilia related infections.
 Laboratory aspects of microbiology,
 Knowledge of health and safety
 Clinical microbiology – infection in the community, attending ward rounds, semi- and
independently leading on ward rounds and bed side consults, hospital-acquired infection,
infection management in immunocompromised patients including HIV, transplantation
and neutropenia, infection in critical care and sepsis, Chronic hepatitis clinics
 Infection control and prevention: working with the infection prevention and control team,
attendance of ICCs and other operational meetings, attendance of outbreak control
meetings, partial and co-lead roles in managing outbreaks or exposures to contagious
agents (e.g. exposure to chickenpox, TB etc.)
 Infection in the returning traveller: management advice of outpatient cases as well as
ward consults of in patients. Prioritise referral of samples for specialist testing to relevant
reference laboratories
 Sexually transmitted diseases: liaise with the Department of Sexual health on all aspects
of investigation and management of STDs and HIV and attend joint reviews of inpatients
(limited opportunities as currently no dedicated HIV inpatient service) and hepatitis/HIV
infected hemophilia patients.
 Occupational Health related infections: advising Occupational Health staff on infection
management and prevention, involvement in investigations relating to occupationally
acquired diseases, vaccinations and PEP advice for NSIs.
 Infections in pregnancy: experience in dealing with and advising on investigation and
treatment of infections during pregnancy through liaison with GPs, antenatal staff and
reference laboratories and ensuring appropriate actions taken when indicated e.g. issuing
ZIG, ensuring immunoglobulin/vaccine are ordered for neonates when indicated
 Virology: dealing with all aspects of management and prevention of viral infections and
investigations of outbreaks and clusters e.g. Norovirus, Flu, chickenpox
 Health protection and epidemiology: during the programme trainees are encouraged to
spend some time with the CCDC to learn about the role as well as direct liaison to notify
the teams of laboratory confirmed infections as per local protocol and to ensure
awareness of local, national and international clusters of significant and/or unusual
infections
 Mycology: Basic experience of diagnostic tests for fungal infections from primary and
secondary care as well as management and prevention strategies in high risk groups. The
trainee might benefit from attending external courses e.g. in Leeds or Bristol for more in
depth training.
 Parasitology: Basic experience provided which could be augmented by external courses
in London or Liverpool or stored samples and NEQAS samples.
 Communication and management: management meetings attendance, involvement in
policy revision and development, business planning, Health & Safety, Clinical
Governance and other laboratory management aspects. There are specific courses
provided by Wessex deanery e.g. Lead or be Led, Speaking with Power and authenticity,
time management and Influencing people and maintaining dignity.
Dr Fatima El Bakri. TPD
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PHT:
Key targets are: Clinical and laboratory microbiology, Virology, renal and transplant related
infections, Surgical and orthopaedic infections, Infection prevention and control, HIV clinics,
management and leadership experience.
 Access to a large and busy Laboratory providing an opportunity for bench and
interpretive microbiology training and understanding of health and safety in the lab
 Clinical microbiology – access to a wide range of infections in the community, attending
ward rounds, semi- and independently leading on ward rounds and bed side consults,
hospital-acquired infection, infection management in immunocompromised patients
including HIV, transplantation and neutropenia, infection in critical care and sepsis, HIV
clinics and infections in dialysis and renal transplant patients.
 Infection control and prevention: working with the infection prevention and control team,
attendance of ICCs and other operational meetings, attendance of outbreak control
meetings, partial and co-lead roles in managing outbreaks or exposures to contagious
agents (e.g. exposure to chickenpox, TB etc.)
 Infection in the returning traveller: management advice of outpatient cases as well as
ward consults of in patients. Prioritise referral of samples for specialist testing to relevant
reference laboratories
 Sexually transmitted diseases: liaise with the Department of Sexual health on all aspects
of investigation and management of STDs and HIV and attend HIV clinics
 Occupational Health related infections: advising Occupational Health staff on infection
management and prevention, involvement in investigations relating to occupationally
acquired diseases, vaccinations and PEP advice for NSIs.
 Infections in pregnancy: experience in dealing with and advising on investigation and
treatment of infections during pregnancy through liaison with GPs, antenatal staff and
reference laboratories and ensuring appropriate actions taken when indicated e.g. issuing
ZIG, ensuring immunoglobulin/vaccine are ordered for neonates when indicated
 Virology: dealing with all aspects of management and prevention of viral infections and
investigations of outbreaks and clusters in a large regional virology laboratory with a
wide range of diagnostic tests including molecular technologies under supervision of the
Consultant Virologist.
 Health protection and epidemiology: liaising with the local communicable diseases
control units to notify the teams of laboratory confirmed infections as per local protocol.
 Mycology: Experience of diagnostic tests for fungal infections from primary and
secondary care as well as management and prevention strategies in high risk groups. The
trainee might benefit from attending external courses e.g. in Leeds or Bristol for more in
depth training.
 Parasitology: Basic experience provided which could be augmented by external courses
in London or Liverpool and training days
 Communication and management: management meetings attendance, involvement in
policy revision and development, business planning, Health & Safety, Clinical
Governance and other laboratory management aspects.
UHS:
Key targets are: ID (outpatient clinics as well as inpatient care), Neurosurgical, Paediatric and
Cardiothoracic microbiology including specialist ITUs, Paediatric oncology, TB cases, and
Neonatal infections.
There is a modular system in place which allows for target areas to be covered as well as ensures
adequate experience to allow the trainees to undertake full duties when on call for the infection
services department. As per infection curricula, the laboratory and clinical infection experience is
Dr Fatima El Bakri. TPD
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essential to both MM and ID training. As an example a system with four modules per year (three
months each) or over two years (six months each) would consist of:
1. Infection clinics with a duty MM day every week
2. ID inpatient care alongside ID/GIM trainee
3. Infection ward consults with one duty MM day every week
4. Laboratory based duties concentrating on bacteraemia, Neurosurgery, cardiothoracic,
Paediatrics and specialist ITUs microbiology including bench rounds, authorisation,
communication of results and follow up
Specific requirements mapped from curriculum to UHS placement:
 Three months in Medical Microbiology/Virology, gaining experience in diagnostic
microbiology, rational use of antimicrobials, and infection control strategies. The
example module above allows for this and includes all trainees training in ID i.e. ID/MM
and ID/GIM. This will allow for requirements of current curricula as well as anticipated
new infection curriculum
 ITUs experience: focusing on specialist ITUs for neurosurgery, cardiothoracic,
paediatrics and NNU either through a specific attachment (minimum three months) or
regular liaison
 HIV medicine: mainly as outpatient care attending one clinic/per week but also access to
approximately 50 admissions/year which are looked after by respiratory physicians.
 Unselected patients with acute community acquired Infectious Diseases (minimum
120/year)
 Weekly infection clinic
 Management of chronic viral hepatitis: weekly out patients clinics as well experience of
the diagnostic tests in the laboratory and liaison with the Virologist
 TB infections: 60-70 TB cases per year under clinical supervision of a respiratory
physician (mixture of 20 inpatient cases per year and 40 outpatient clinics per year as
well as MDT meetings)
 Hospital acquired infection including MRSA, C.difficile, SSIs, bone and joint,
pneumonia and device related infections
 Infection control and antimicrobial stewardship
 It is strongly recommend, but not compulsory, for a trainee to have the opportunity for
additional enhanced training in specific areas related to ID including clinical virology,
clinical pharmacology, public health and epidemiology, GU Medicine, vaccinology,
overseas practice and global response to outbreak / disaster situations. These will have to
be agreed in advance with the departmental lead educator and clinical lead.
For specific GIM components please also refer to Oxford programme description as this training
is delivered jointly between UHS and Oxford Hospitals (Churchill, John Radcliff, Nuffield
orthopaedic and Horton Hospitals). As GIM is joint with ID, a slightly modified version of the
example described above can be adopted.
For GIM CCT the requirements set out in the curriculum are:
 1000 patients in acute take of Dr Sharp’s firm. These could include acute patients
admitted to specialty (ID) as well as new ward referrals.
 186 patients in outpatient setting as described above
 Practical procedures: central line, intercostal drain for pneumothorax, abdo paracentesis
etc.
There are numerous research and audit opportunities but the trainee is encouraged to agree those
with their supervisor.
Dr Fatima El Bakri. TPD
9
RHCH:
Key targets are: Clinical microbiology training, surgical and orthopaedic infections, new
antimicrobial trials, Infection prevention and control, Travel related infections and Lyme disease
clinics.
 Laboratory aspects of microbiology: the laboratory will be merged with the BNHH over
the next couple of years and the trainee will have the opportunity to learn about the
merger process while focusing on clinical microbiology.
 Clinical microbiology – strong links with GP allow for good experience to management
of infection in the community, Daily ward rounds, semi- and independently leading on
ward rounds and dealing with case referrals. Hospital-acquired infection, infection
management in immunocompromised patients including HIV, transplantation and
neutropenia, infection in critical care and sepsis and Lyme disease clinics.
 Infection control and prevention: there is a joint infection prevention and control team
with BNHH and the trainee will have opportunities to attend all activities as described
under BNHH.
 Infection in the returning traveller: There is good exposure to infections in the returning
traveller as well as opportunities to attend travel clinics for vaccination and travel advice.
The trainee will also have exposure to testing protocols and to prioritise referral of
samples for specialist testing to relevant reference laboratories. The department has
strong links with the reference laboratory for rare and imported diseases in Porton Down
and it is hoped that a secondment could be arranged for the trainee to gain experience
there.
 Sexually transmitted diseases: liaise with the Department of Sexual health on all aspects
of investigation and management of STDs and HIV
 Occupational Health related infections: advising Occupational Health staff on infection
management and prevention, involvement in investigations relating to occupationally
acquired diseases, vaccinations and PEP advice for NSIs.
 Infections in pregnancy: experience in dealing with and advising on investigation and
treatment of infections during pregnancy through liaison with GPs, antenatal staff and
reference laboratories and ensuring appropriate actions taken when indicated e.g. issuing
ZIG, ensuring immunoglobulin/vaccine are ordered for neonates when indicated
 Virology: dealing with all aspects of management and prevention of viral infections and
investigations of outbreaks and clusters e.g. Norovirus, Flu, chickenpox
 Mycology: Basic experience of diagnostic tests for fungal infections from primary and
secondary care as well as management and prevention strategies in high risk groups.
 Parasitology: Good experience provided especially in travel related infections which
could be augmented by external courses in London or Liverpool. The department has
links with South Sudan which could provide tropical infection opportunities for trainees
 Communication and management: management meetings attendance, involvement in
policy revision and development, business planning, Health & Safety, Clinical
Governance and other laboratory management aspects
 Research and audit: There are good support systems for research and audit and the
trainees are encouraged to utilize these
Dr Fatima El Bakri. TPD
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