The way that hundreds of junior doctors are taught at United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust (ULHT) has been praised by a specialist team.
“Recognisable improvements” in education and supervision have been highlighted by the Local Education and Training Board, which oversees medical training.
Its findings include:
l “Considerable progress” in leadership and governance
l A comprehensive strategy across the Trust’s three main sites in Lincoln, Boston and Grantham.
l The Trust is “striving to deliver the very best education and training”.
l A friendly environment, where junior doctors feel valued.
l Improved supervision of junior trainees.
This confirms recent feedback from junior doctors that they have a good experience at ULHT and feel well supported.
They also say that both trainees and patients are benefiting from the Trust’s introduction of a system which ensures that each patient is reviewed by a senior doctor every day.
ULHT’s Director of Medical Education, Sunday Ikhena, said: “We welcome this report, which confirms the progress we are making through our determination to deliver high-quality education.
“We are also pleased that the report recognises we are making these advances in the face of significant challenges.”
The LETB report was produced at the request of the Care Quality Commission, following the Keogh review of patient care at ULHT which raised concerns about staffing levels.
The report highlights the fact that because of geography, recruitment to medical posts in Lincolnshire is difficult – especially at Pilgrim Hospital in Boston.
This can place more pressure on junior doctors.
ULHT is also allocated fewer training places than other Trusts of a similar size.
There are more than 350 doctors in training at ULHT.