Oxford/Thames Valley

Regional Training Information

RA in ICM:	Dr Stuart McKechnie (John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford)
TPD:	Dr Phil Duggleby (Stoke Mandeville & Wycombe Hospitals)
Head of School:	Dr Sara McDouall (Royal Berkshire Hospital)
Posts available per year:

Intensive Care Medicine training in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire is administered by Health Education England Thames Valley and sits within the School of Anaesthesia, Intensive Care Medicine and Pain.

The region is renowned for its cohesive, friendly and supportive ICM training environment. We pride ourselves on delivering outstanding ICM training, with notable regional strengths including echocardiography, point of care ultrasound and academic research. With established links with Oxford University, a high proportion of our trainees pursue formal academic training.

For further information please contact the TPD/RA as listed above.

Clinical training

Both single and dual (acute medicine, anaesthesia, emergency medicine, renal medicine, respiratory medicine) ICM training is supported, with trainees working with the Training Programme Director(s) and Regional Advisor to develop a clinical training program that addresses your individual training needs.

Training programs are based in the following centres:

Trust	Hospitals and Locations
Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust https://www.ouh.nhs.uk/hospitals/	Oxford Critical Care, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford
	Churchill Intensive Care Unit, Churchill Hospital, Oxford
	Neurosciences Critical Care Unit, Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals, Oxford
	Cardiothoracic Critical Care Unit, Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals, Oxford
	Paediatric Critical Care Unit, Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals, Oxford
Royal Berkshire Hospital NHS Foundation Trust https://www.royalberkshire.nhs.uk/	Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading
Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust https://www.mkuh.nhs.uk/	Milton Keynes University Hospital, Milton Keynes
Buckinghamshire HealthcareNHS Trust http://www.buckshealthcare.nhs.uk/	Wycombe General Hospital, High Wycombe
	Stoke Mandeville Hospital, Aylesbury
Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust https://www.fhft.nhs.uk/your-hospitals/	Wexham Park Hospital, Slough

While it is not feasible to allow total freedom of choice of placements, training programs are tailored to integrate with your personal circumstances where possible.

Stage 1

All the ICUs in the region are recognised for Stage 1 training. Early after appointment at national recruitment, you will meet with the training program director to discuss how your ICM training in Stage 1 can best integrate with personal circumstance and any existing training plans, including dual specialty training.

Stage 2

The specialty ICM year is typically spent in Oxford, with 3-month modules in paediatric ICM, neurosciences ICM and cardiac ICM.

For single specialty trainees, the Special Skills Year (SSY) can be undertaken in specialty ICM (Paediatric, Neurosciences, Cardiac), echocardiography, point of care ultrasound (POCUS), education, transfer medicine, quality improvement, and academic research.

Notable training strengths of the region include echocardiography, point of care ultrasound and academic research. With established links with Oxford University, a high proportion of trainees pursue formal academic training.

The region has a good FFICM pass rate.

Stage 3

Most trainees spend six months in Oxford, as the tertiary centre, and six months in a District General Hospital, but there are no hard and fast rules about where Stage 3 training is based. At least six months is spent in a single centre to facilitate development of the skills necessary for transition to your consultant role. This includes formal provision for ‘acting up’. Support can be provided to pursue additional skills in echocardiography, medical education and academic research. You will be encouraged to attend National and International meetings.

Regional Teaching

There is an established regional ICM teaching programme.

In stages 1 and 2 this is aligned with the ICM curriculum and focused on preparation for the FFICM exam. There is a highly regarded regional Oxford FFICM OSCE/SOE course which trainees are also supported to attend.

In stage 3, the teaching program develops flexibly to help prepare for life as an ICM Consultant. Topics covered include wellbeing, managing treatment limitations in ICU, research and quality improvement, appraisal, job planning, private practice and pension planning.