ROYAL BERKSHIRE NHS Foundation Trust
JOB DESCRIPTION
Specialist Training Year 1,2 &3 in Gen Paediatrics
This is a six months Gen Paediatrics post.
THE ROYAL BERKSHIRE NHS FOUNDATION TRUST
The Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust is one of Reading’s biggest employers and one of
the largest general hospital Trusts in the country. The Trust provides acute medical and
surgical services to Reading, Wokingham and West Berkshire and specialist services to a
wider population. Reading is a University town and a centre for administration and light
industry. Wokingham is predominantly a commuter locality and Newbury is predominantly
agricultural. We have 3600 staff (whole time equivalent) & 655 acute beds
THE PAEDIATRIC DEPARTMENT
The Hospital covers a large child population of 125,000 and a birth rate of 5,800 per annum.
There are two General Paediatric wards, Dolphin and Lion. Dolphin ward has 21 beds
including a four-bedded High Dependency Unit. Lion ward has 18 beds including special
facilities for Paediatric oncology. Both wards take medical and surgical patients and paediatric
orthopaedics. There is a Paediatric Assessment Unit and a Paediatric Day Bed Unit. The
Paediatric department has approximately 4,500 admissions per annum.
The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (Buscot ward) has 4 intensive care cots and 20 cots in total.
The Dingley Specialist Children’s Centre is a multidisciplinary assessment and treatment unit
and is based opposite to the main hospital.
There is a major Accident & Emergency Department at the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation
Trust. Most acute referrals from GP’s are seen and assessed in the Paediatric Assessment
Unit. This is staffed by a paediatric SHO and Associate Specialist on Monday and Friday with
Registrar and Consultant support.
ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
There is a full shift rota in the post and is European Working time Directive compliant. There
are currently 8 Speciality Training numbers (Year 1 to 3). The banding supplement will be
Band 1 A. Applicants must have full or limited registration with the GMC. ST 1-3’s are
expected to cover study leave and annual leave internally. Annual leave is at the rate of 5
weeks per year
Single and married accommodation is available but limited and subject to rental.
Terms and Conditions of Employment are in accordance with the Medical and Dental and
General Whitley Councils as amended from time to time.
The strength of this post is in the excellent experience and training it offers and the good
support from middle grade staff and consultants.
GENERAL PAEDIATRICS DUTIES
This involves care of children and their families on the two General Paediatric wards (Dolphin
and Lion), the Paediatric Day Bed Unit and the Paediatric Assessment Unit.
There is a daily hand-over at 8.30am in the Seminar Room in Day bed unit of the paediatric
Team on the wards and Consultant of the week. Duties include cover of the Lion, Dolphin and
the Paediatric Assessment Unit. The Paediatric Assessment Unit doctor takes GP calls, sees
patients and arranges admission if necessary. There is a Consultant of the week system in
place and there are daily Consultant ward rounds.
ST (Year 1 -3) doctors will be expected to attend at least 10 out-patient clinics during a six
months period.
There are joint specialist clinics in paediatric cardiology, paediatric
endocrinology, paediatric surgery, clinical genetics, paediatric haematology, paediatric
dermatology and paediatric oncology in addition to the General Paediatrics clinics and baby
clinics.
TRAINING
Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, Paediatric department has been received a very
good report by the PMETB during their recent training visit.
There is a timetable of teaching which includes:
Weekly Journal Club
Weekly Clinical Grand Round
Monthly Paediatric X-Ray meeting
Audit meeting
Weekly two hours of protected ST 1-3 (paediatrics) teaching
Monthly Clinical Governance
Regular ward-based teaching
Monthly Academic half day
Monthly Lunchtime guest lecture
Study leave is available within the post-graduate programme particularly for MRCPCH and
DCH courses. There is in house teaching for Dch & MRCPCH clinical examination.
DEPARTMENTAL STAFF
Consultants
Dr Andrew Boon, General Paediatrics & Paediatric Respiratory
Disease, Divisional director
Dr Nick Mann, General Paediatrics, Diabetes & Paediatric
Endocrinology
Dr Jo Spinks, General Paediatrics, Diabetes
Dr Ann Gordon, General Paediatrics & Neonatology, Clinical
Governance
Dr Susan Edees, General Paediatrics and Critical Care. Clinical
Director
Dr Lexie Macrae, Community Paediatrics, Child Development
and Learning Difficulties, Visually impaired children, Designated
doctor for child protection
Dr Ravi Kumar, General Paediatrics, Neonatology, Paediatric
Cardiology,
Dr Asha Madasseri, General paediatrics, Neonatology,
Paediatrics Oncology Tutor St4-ST6
Dr Ros Jefferson, Neurodisability, Lead Dingley Sp Childrens
centre
Dr Greg Boden, Neonatology, Gen Paediatrics, Lead NICU
Dr
Nicola
Pritchard,
Gen
Paediatrics,
Neonatology,
Gastroenterology, Lead Audit ,Tutor FY1/FY2/ST1-3
Dr De Halpert, Gen Paeds & Neonates
Dr Clare Holt , General Paediatrics
Senior Clinical Medical
Officer
ST4-ST6
ST 1-3
Foundation doctors
Operational Manager
Dr Inger Karlman, Child development
Dr Abigail Macleod
Dr Cathy Golding
Dr John Sumitra – Child development, Disability.
10
8 General Paediatric ( 5 GPVTS & 3 Career Paeds)
2 FY1 and 1 FY2 on Gen Paeds
Sue Timperley
CAREER COUNSELLING
During this post you will be allocated an educational supervisor and there is a system of three
monthly appraisals. The College Tutor (Dr Nicky Pritchard) is available to discuss any
problems arising during the job, particularly regarding training.
More detailed information can be obtained by telephoning one of the current paediatric SHO’s
If there are specific queries please contact Dr Nicky Pritchard on 01183225111Ex 8125
GENERAL INFORMATION
The Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust has an active Postgraduate Medical Education
Centre with a library and access to Medline and a squash court.
Most ordinary shopping facilities are within easy walking distance of the hospital, with a good
bus service into the main shopping centre of Reading, which is approximately one mile away.
London is readily accessible by train in 35 minutes.
USEFUL NAMES
Regional Postgraduate Dean
Head of Postgraduate school
Paediatric Regional Adviser
Divisional Director, Women and Childrens
Director of Paediatrics
Tutor FY1/FY2/ST1-ST3
Tutor ST4-ST6
DMET
Medical Staffing Officer
Accommodation Officer
Dr Nicky Pritchard
Dr Michael Bannon
Dr Julie Edge
Dr Alison Shefler/Dr Joanne Philpot
Dr Alan Tang
Dr Susan Edees
Dr Nicky Pritchard 0118328125
Dr Asha Madasseri 01183227526
Mr Richard Dodds
Claire Newport ext 8026
Sue Webster