Dr Abbas Ramji
Consultant Psychiatrist Dr Abbas Ramji, who is part of Erewash Community Mental Health Team, has worked at Derbyshire Healthcare for the last eight years. During his time at the Trust he has been at the forefront of work to support the Trust’s junior doctors in a variety of ways.
He said: “The Royal College of Psychiatrists has done a lot of work to promote recruitment to the psychiatric specialty and over the last two years we have had about 100% recruitment which is really positive for junior doctors. I am really keen to carry on this work and promote Derby and Derbyshire as a place to train for junior doctors.
“We are taking the lead on some aspects of training and we are one of the first trusts in the country to take part in the EPIFFANY training initiative, which supports junior doctors to learn in a holistic supported environment, using simulation to recreate previous untoward incidences.”
EPIFFANY stands for Effective Performance Insight for the Future, and is an educational programme used as an innovative approach in training healthcare professionals. It uses a safe learning environment with simulations which include expert patients and actors.
Dr Ramji said: “We also do a lot of exam practice for junior doctors, with mock exams set for the CASC (Clinical Assessment of Skills and Competencies) exam. We also run an annual poster competition where the junior doctors can showcase quality improvement projects or other projects they are working on.”
Dr Ramji himself has had a really positive experience working for the Trust in the Erewash CMHT. He came to visit the Trust before his original interview for the role, and was really impressed with the team spirit.
He said: “That has remained the case and is one of the reasons I have stayed with this fantastic team. We have a really good set-up with a supportive working relationship with nurses, occupational therapists, psychologists and the secretarial support is excellent, as are my medical colleagues, which is really important to me.
“It is the people that make a big difference and that make the Trust such a great place to work. Working here is a such a supportive and rewarding experience.”
Dr Mark Broadhurst
I began work as a Consultant in 2007 and have remained at Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (DHCFT) ever since. As I look around, many colleagues have been here just as long, if not longer. DHCFT has been a great place to work, and Derbyshire has been a great place to live. So, what is it about DHCFT and Derbyshire that has managed to keep me here for so long?
Working in this trust over many years has enabled me to see the significant benefits that great care can have on individuals. The people of Derbyshire are warm and friendly and working with and among them is a constant reminder of why we want to provide the best care to those who need it.
The Trust fosters a culture of support and compassion for its staff and understands the need for those working in the front line to be involved in decision making which will affect patient care. As a result, you will have the privilege of being invited to give your voice to the design of future services in which you are an expert.
At DHCFT, we give special importance to the concept of Team Working. I’m part of several Teams at various levels in the Trust. Whether it’s the clinical teams in which I work, the peer groups or operational teams, it is this team approach that offers so much support both to new staff members and those of us who have been here a bit longer. This support has sustained me in challenges of working as a Psychiatrist for many years.