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Welcoming our New Junior Doctor intake for 2024/25

13/08/2024

F1 Doctors Induction South West Acute Hospital

The new intake of 260 doctors in training have been welcomed to the Western Trust this week.  They have joined medical and surgical teams at hospitals across the Western Trust area.  A number of our doctors are New to Northern Ireland and the NHS which required an extended period of induction.

After completing an Undergraduate Medical Degree, Medical graduates enter the medical workforce as ‘junior doctors’ on a two year work based training programme. This is known as the ‘foundation programme’ and is the first level of clinical training for qualified doctors that bridges the gap between medical school and specialty training.  The doctors continue in training until they become a, GP (general practitioner) SAS (specialist, associate specialist and specialty) doctor or a consultant which takes around an additional seven to ten years to become a consultant.

F1 Doctors Induction MDECBefore FY1 set out in their new placements, the F1s took part in a week-long induction and work shadowing period at the end of July 2024 to learn about the hospital and its support systems. The F2s and doctors up to Registrar level joined the trust on 7 August 2024 for induction and training.

The Medical Director for the Western Trust, Dr Brendan Lavery, said:

“It’s wonderful to welcome our new cohort of junior doctors across the Trust. Our hospitals will benefit greatly from their skill and medical expertise, particularly on the frontline, managing patients 24/7.

F1 Doctors Induction MDEC“All of our multi-professional clinical staff and Education Team at ‘MedEdWest’ are incredibly supportive and ready to help and guide this next generation of doctors.  We have a number of specialities across our hospitals sites offering a wealth of clinical experience on medical and surgical wards, which allow doctors in training to get the most out of their clinical placement rotations.

“We value the contribution of doctors and I hope that their time here will be useful and enjoyable as they start the next stage of their medical careers.”

Sinead Doherty, Head of Medical and Dental Education / Training (MedEdWest) with the Western Trust commented:

F1 Doctors Induction MDEC“We are delighted to welcome our new doctors to the Trust. MedEdWest has excellent well-established education, training, supervision and support systems in place. We wish all our new doctors every success as they progress their medical careers with us. We will continue to evolve and adapt education and training to the changing needs of our service users and continually build on our theme “The West is Best”.