• Great Practices, Teaching and Rotations (including innovative posts)
• Sun, Sea, Sand, Surf, Sailing, Hillwalking, Mountainbiking, etc.
• Theatre, Pubs, Clubs, Shopping
• Easy links to London, the West of England and Europe
• New Zealand?

Dorset offers an exceptional combination of good hospital rotations and varied, high quality GP practices. Training in excellent district general hospitals is widely acknowledged to be of greater relevance to general practice than that offered in tertiary and 'teaching' hospitals.There are ample opportunities to attend outpatient clinics etc, and there are regular meetings and courses in the three Dorset hospital education centres.

Dorset also offers excellent recreational opportunities, quality of life, and fast links to London and the continent. Our trainees are typically keen to stay in the area once trained - a strong endorsement of the quality of work and leisure opportunities here.

Regular day release sessions for GP trainees occur throughout the 3 years with specialist speakers and GP-led sessions offering an exceptional opportunity for learning and support.

The Hospital element of the Dorset Vocational Training Schemes [VTS] run from the three main District General Hospitals of Bournemouth, Poole and Dorchester and can include attachments in Christchurch and St. Anne’s hospitals.

Bournemouth rotations 
Poole rotations 
Dorchester rotations
 
The ST3 or GP Registrar year is spent in one of our many approved practices for GP training which are situated throughout Dorset both in the urban and rural areas.  

Recreation

It is well recognised that if doctors do not look after themselves they are unlikely to be able to offer a high standard of care to their patients. This is why we place great emphasis on achieving an appropriate work/life balance. What better place to achieve this than the beautiful county of Dorset.

What diversity! If you seek the tranquility of the great British countryside, the solitude of wild hills, or the splendour of the world's second largest natural harbour and World Heritage coastline, then try Dorset. The coast and countryside are playgrounds for sailors, windsurfers, mountain-bikers, and walkers.

Alternatively you may prefer to explore Dorset’s fascinating history in places such as Corfe Castle, Maiden Castle, or Kingston Lacey House. You really can escape from the demands of your working life in places such as these.

Dorset’s main towns offer more urban temptations such as theatre, nightclubs and some excellent restaurants, whilst London is only 2 hours away by road or rail.

We strongly encourage a balanced approach to work and relaxation.

Travel Links

Poole and Weymouth have excellent connections with Europe via ferry services direct to Cherbourg, St Malo, and the Channel Islands. Sailings from nearby Portsmouth add to the options. London is about 2 hours via the M3 or direct rail line from Bournemouth. Railway connections to Bath, Bristol, and to the Southwest are also excellent.

New Zealand?

We are in the process of setting up links with New Zealand for selected trainees to get Out-of-Programme Experience of approximately 3-6 months between ST2 and ST3. All being well, the first of these posts should start in August 2011.