Hillingdon GP VTS (GPST- GP Speciality Training) is a well-established programme for training GP trainees in Hillingdon, London. This website provides resources for our existing trainees and also gives prospective trainees and trainers a taste of who we are. Please navigate the menu bar above to view our pages.
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About us
Hillingdon GP VTS is a well-established training scheme based at Hillingdon Hospital Education Centre with posts at Hillingdon Hospital in the South of the Borough and Mount Vernon in the North.
Our area
The A40 and M4 are close by, giving easy access to central London with its arts and culture and the beautiful Chiltern and Thames Valley countryside. The Borough includes “Metroland” in the North as described by John Betjeman in his poetry, and has a vibrant, multicultural South. Hillingdon has many parks, woods and open spaces.
Our posts
We aim to provide a broad-based learning experience in order to prepare you for General Practice, whatever role you choose as a GP. The emphasis is on helping each person to achieve his or her full potential.
In the first 2 years, Trainees have 6 months in one GP practice combined with hospital clinics in an Innovative Training Post (ITP), a further 6 months in another GP practice, and two 6 month posts in the hospital. In the final year, Trainees spend one year in a third GP practice.
Our posts in ST1/2 are based in Hillingdon Hospital, Community Mental Health Teams, Mount Vernon Hospital for Palliative Care, NHS England for Public Health, and Brunel Medical School for Education. Training Practices range across the Borough, from Hayes and Uxbridge in the South to Eastcote, Ruislip, Northwood and Harefield in the North.
Our education support and teaching
Our half-day release (HDR) teaching sessions run on Tuesday afternoons and ST1/2s and ST3s all take part. We plan to cover the whole curriculum every 3 years.
The afternoon starts with a pre-planned topic. Both Trainers and Hospital Consultants contribute to the pre-planned sessions.
After a tea break, we have a group discussion in two groups, facilitated by the Programme Directors. This helps you to get to know and support each other, as well as consolidate and share your learning and experience as you develop as GPs. Trainees have shared projects they have been involved in, shared difficult cases, done role plays, and discussed media and news items.
You will also be able to have study leave to complete mandatory training and exam preparation. A variety of educational events are run at Hillingdon Hospital and by Hillingdon Training Hub. There is an excellent Library at Hillingdon which provides help on researching topics where needed.
There is an annual residential/away day for all trainees and a non-residential away day for ST3s “Preparing for Practice”.
We also encourage getting to know and supporting your fellow trainees with fun outings, which have included picnics and bowling.
