Medical Education at QVH

As a leading specialist centre for reconstructive surgery and rehabilitation QVH has a proud heritage and is known throughout the world for pioneering new and innovative techniques and treatments. We are able to offer excellent educational opportunities in the clinical areas and in the classroom.

We offer specialist training in anaesthetics, maxillofacial surgery and plastic surgery. Our corneo plastic unit offers two fellowship training programmes with pre-consultant fellows and the orthodontics unit offers fixed term training appointments and specialist registrar positions.

Trainee life

Trainees are represented on the Local Faculty Groups for each specialty, on the Local Academic Board, and also have their own Junior Doctors’ Forum which meets regularly. The forum is an informal discussion group for doctors to meet with colleagues, managers and consultants to discuss issues relating to working at the hospital, patient safety and any other relevant topics.

Junior doctors are represented on the Local Negotiating Committee (LNC). The chairman is Mr Ken Sneddon, Consultant Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon.

Every trainee is allocated a named educational supervisor for the duration of the placement. Trainees’ feedback on their training at QVH is collected using confidential interim and exit questionnaires. Any issues raised are fed back to the specialty concerned. Trainees are also offered one to one meetings with the director of medical education, if they require them.

From the trainees:

“There are a range of enthusiastic and knowledgeable consultants at QVH, and it has been a real pleasure to work here.” Higher anaesthetics

“There is certainly an emphasis on teaching for juniors, with bi-weekly teaching (although occasionally this is not run or impossible to go to), and generally enthusiastic theatre teaching” Lower plastics

“Generally an excellent post, with good support from consultants but also opportunities to work more independently.” Higher anaesthetics

“An excellent hospital in which to further practical and management skills in plastic surgery, in a welcoming environment” Lower plastics

Research and innovation (R&I)

We actively promote clinical research and innovation and work closely with academic and other partners. QVH is a member of the Clinical Research Network for Kent, Surrey and Sussex. Our R&I strategy includes work on regenerative medicine and research exploring the psycho-social aspects of both trauma and elective surgery. This draws on the work of many of the trust’s renowned surgical specialities.

Transport & local amenities

QVH is well served by public transport. Access to designated on-site staff parking areas is via a permit.

East Grinstead is in a rural location on the boundaries of Kent, Sussex and Surrey and benefits from good access to a range of attractions such as the Ashdown Forest and the Bluebell Railway.  The town centre is a short walk from the hospital and offers shops, banks, cafes, restaurants, bars, pubs and a cinema. The town also has a library, a leisure centre, a tennis club and several health clubs and is surrounded by numerous golf courses.

Sport: The hospital has a tennis/football pitch and its own cricket and netball team. Discounted membership is also available at local health clubs.

Schools: The area is well served with local education authority primary (5-11 years) and secondary schools (11-18 years). Each residential area has its own primary school which feeds into the secondary schools (Imberhorne or Sackville). There are also several private schools in and around East Grinstead.