Psychiatry – 3 month placement
There are a total of 7 Consultant Psychiatrists employed by the Norfolk & Waveney Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust at Northgate Hospital and Carlton Court. The GP vocational registrar is attached to one of the consultants whose main commitment is to General Adult Psychiatry. The services are progressive in respect of developments in community based treatments and the registrar becomes a member of one of the multidisciplinary community mental health teams. Thus, considerable emphasis in training is given to Domiciliary visiting with Consultants, Community Psychiatric Nurses, Behaviour Therapists, Social Workers and others. There are active Psychology and Occupational Therapy departments, providing valuable training opportunities.

More usual and extensive training is given on the inpatient unit and at outpatients’ clinics under close Consultant supervision. Assessment of cases of deliberate self-harm at the district general hospital is another important aspect of training.

One of the Consultants has a special interest in drug and alcohol abuse and another in rehabilitation, providing valuable experience. Sessional training visits to the Child and Family and/or Mental Handicap departments can be organised for interested individuals. There is also an active department of Old Age Psychiatry.

There is a good psychiatric library at Northgate Hospital which all GPStRs are encouraged to use. There is an excellent weekly half-day training programme held in conjunction with the Norwich junior psychiatric staff.