Locally Employed Doctors
At Dorset County Hospital we are proud of our history of helping doctors to progress in their careers. Both international and UK graduates who are looking for support in their career journey have succeeded in achieving their goals. Being a smaller hospital helps you to settle in quickly into our friendly environment, but we are big enough to have a wide range of specialties and a thriving Research Department.
As part of DCH, we ensure that you have access to an ePortfolio relevant to your career, a named educational supervisor and time in your work schedule for personal development.
We facilitate face-to-face meetings to enable peer support, and the team in our Education Centre can help you to access educational opportunities. Funding is also available for many courses and exams.
We offer a variety of training opportunities and posts including:
- Clinical Attachments (also known as Observerships) Due to unprecedented demand, we are currently not accepting Clinical Attachment applications.
- ‘F3’ / SHO level posts
- Middle Grade / Registrar level posts
- SAS Doctor posts
- Specialist Doctor posts
- Locum Consultant posts
- CSER aspirants
- Medical Training Initiative scheme.
Read the stories of some of our LEDs below.
Asia’s story
My name is Asia. I am a specialty doctor in obstetrics and gynaecology. I came to UK from Pakistan back in 2002 through the PLAB route for doctors. I was pregnant at the time, but right after the delivery of my baby, I got on with my IELTS, PLAB 1 and PLAB 2 as I was keen to progress my career.
Four children later I was registered with the GMC and started my first locum job in Luton, before then moving to Devon.
My first substantial post was at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital.
I then joined Dorset County Hospital in 2013 when my fourth baby was just six weeks old. I was very well supported at DCH, especially by Miss Audrey Ryan who played a huge role and always reassured me that one day I will be able to complete my goals. She had a huge trust in me which was very encouraging.
Over the 10 years at DCH, my supervisors and colleagues have all been incredibly supportive about me progressing my career – their moral support and appreciation made me even more determined to continue to move forward with my qualifications.
In 2021 I passed my MRCOG. I then completed my CESR training and succeeded in securing a consultant post in Birmingham.
My decision to leave DCH was based on joining a bigger unit in Birmingham to further enhance my surgical skills and become Laparoscopic Surgeon. I also want to get involved in education and join the Royal College of Obstetrician and Gynaecologists to spread the knowledge and improve women’s health and care worldwide.
Isobel’s story
I’m Isobel, I have been a Medical Trust Grade SHO at Dorset County Hospital since August 2022.
I am Dorchester born and bred. I completed Medical School at Plymouth University and went on to do my F1 and F2 years at Torbay, in Devon. After completing Foundation years, I did a classic F3 year of six months locuming and six months travelling (around South America, Australia and Scotland).
Throughout Medical School and F1 and F2 training I was convinced I wanted to be a GP and so my CV was aligned with this. However, I enjoyed my F3 medical jobs so much that when I got my offer for GP training it didn’t feel quite right – I felt I wanted to stay in hospital for longer!
I applied and interviewed for a medical trust grade job here. The DCH team were extremely helpful and friendly throughout the whole process.
I felt that my four monthly rotations were discussed and agreed to provide both professional interest, career development opportunities and mutual benefit rather than just service provision.
At DCH there is ample study leave and a study budget to help you explore your interests and further develop your skills. I have been supported and encouraged to go on numerous courses which include an ALS instructor course, Oxford Medical Teach the Teacher course, MRCP revision weekend, and a Wilderness and Expedition medicine course. There was also 1:1 IMT interview support and prep sessions arranged with DCH registrars which was invaluable.
I am very grateful for all the support, encouragement and opportunities DCH has afforded me, alongside being a very friendly place to work with an excellent rota – I would highly recommend it to everyone. I really feel like my supervisors are cheering me on!
Sadia’s story
My name is Sadia and I work as a Specialist Grade (Paediatrics). Before moving to UK I was working in Saudi Arabia.
I joined Dorset County Hospital on an unpaid clinical attachment to gain experience of the NHS and to sharpen my skills to pass the paediatric membership exams, which I duly did. Despite having the exams and clinical experience to commence working at registrar level, I chose to work at a lower SHO grade to fully find my feet in the NHS.
I progressed to registrar level and worked as a key member of our team and started working hard towards my CESR qualification.
Recently I have been promoted up to the Specialist Grade post where I am sharing the responsibilities of consultants and working on the consultant rota. I can proudly say this is due to excellent support and guidance from my department. I am very grateful for my mentor’s support. He has always been there for me and guiding me in taking responsibility for patient care and suggesting seeking senior support where appropriate. He wanted me to learn and develop myself and supported me to achieve my goal to develop a special interest in paediatric diabetes.
Dorset County Hospital is an excellent place to work. There are lots of opportunities are available and this trust definitely recognises the role of SAS and LED doctors in NHS and is ready to provide support to them. The teams offer CESR support and career progression. I have also taken a role of SAS Tutor and would be keen to help and guide people through my experience.
I am currently working on my CESR application which will enable me to apply for a substantial consultant post in future, which has always been my goal.