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Training Project
The new building extension to the Datchet Health Centre
In March 2010, building work started to construct a first floor extension to the existing health centre building. The purpose of this extension is to provide two extra consulting rooms, a tutorial room, an upstairs toilet for people with disabilities and an extended upstairs waiting area. It will also provide storage space for patient files and a cupboard for the cleaner.
The project is partly funded by an NHS training grant from the Oxford Deanery, which the DHC applied for and won last year. The grant is intended to support practices like the DHC that wish to become a training organisation. Completion is planned for September 2010. The Datchet Parish Council is supportive of the plan and it has been very helpful in implementing it.
What is a training practice?
A training practice is a GP-practice that is accredited to help train qualified doctors to become GPs. A training practice has to meet high standards of health care provision and organisation before being accredited. The training GPs or ‘registrars’ are qualified doctors who wish to become GPs. They work in a training practice for a year or so as part of their course to become a registered GP. They are part of the practice team during their stay and they see patients like any other doctor, but under supervision and with the support of the trainer and the rest of the practice team. The DHC has also applied to train ‘F2’ doctors who have to gain some experience in general practice as part of their training during their second year after qualifying. Sometimes, with the patient’s permission, consultations will be video-recorded for training purposes.
Why become a training practice?
For some while, the DHC has considered the possibility of becoming a training practice. Dr Ruth Ferguson joined the team in 2009 and this year she completed her training to become a GP-trainer. Dr. Nikki Wallbank has started her training to become a GP-trainer and hopes to complete the course next year. This stimulus has convinced us that we should apply for training status. By becoming a training practice, it ensures that we maintain a very high standard of primary health care within a culture of learning and mutual support. A learning organisation nurtures the aim to improve through knowledge, experience, open mindedness and development. A training practice also provides patients with a greater variety of doctors and there is a net increase in the number of available appointments over the year. Patients will therefore benefit not only from the improved and expanded facilities, but also from the additional doctors working within a supportive team whose common aim is to learn, support and improve.
The building design
The new extension will be situated on the left side of the health centre when facing it from Green Lane. It has been designed to be supported on reinforced brick piers in order to avoid problems with flood risk. There will be a pedestrian ramp and steps below leading to the car park at the rear. Three additional parking spaces will be provided and the slots for people with disabilities will be improved in line with current standards.
Health and Safety
The builders have been instructed to avoid inconvenience to patients as much as possible. Inevitably, there are issues of health and safety and anybody who uses the health centre during the construction phase are asked to take extra care when the building contractors are at work. The health centre partners apologise in advance for any inconvenience that the construction work causes.
Please click here to view the Site Plan for the building extension.
Please click here to view the Front and Rear Elevations for the building extension.
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