Why Vocational training in Hull? A question asked by many people when I told them I was going to Hull. I have lived in the Hull area since the age of 10, leaving to go to university in Leicester where I did my House Jobs. One of the reasons I was interested in the Hull VTS was so I could move back nearer to family and friends but the main thing that attracted me was the community jobs (I spent 6 months working in a hospice half the week and the rest in general practice) which was quite unusual to find on other vocational training schemes.

The scheme was also more flexible and you didn’t join with a set format of jobs - this was arranged once you were on the scheme and had a chance to find out from other registrars what were the most useful jobs. The other noticeable difference on the Hull VTS were the number of Registrars that wanted to change to General Practice from other branches in medicine, therefore not on the scheme for the full 3 years, although I joined straight from my house jobs.

I spent my first 6 months in a practice in Hedon followed by A&E (not really my cup of tea but I learnt quite a lot and it really made me appreciate how much nicer General Practice was), Obs and Gynae (I am not sure I learnt much there apart from how not to assist in Surgery whilst holding various retractors wrongly!) and psychiatry (really, really useful). Then I have done a combined post in Dove House Hospice and General Practice and I am now finally coming to the end of the scheme with a practice in Beverley.

Tuesday afternoons are our VTS teaching sessions, the programme is largely devised by the Registrars and also begins each week with a short presentation by a Registrar. The topics vary widely and we also have PBL sessions and patient simulators. It also gives you a chance to meet up with other registrars and find out the truth about other practices and hospital jobs.

The best bit of advice is to get the summative assessment components done early particularly the project, The Hull VTS allows you to do the national project marking schedule rather than just an Audit which allows much more choice (and enjoyment???). The video component is the worst bit and you also get an opportunity on one of the teaching sessions to make it even more enjoyable and watch it with all the other Registrars! I reached the conclusion that the videoing is the easiest bit if you can get “well behaved” patients; it is all the watching and editing that takes the time.

Reaching the end of the VTS I am still glad that I decided to do General Practice and would certainly recommend the Hull scheme.