Core Psychiatry training is the first stage of your specialist training in psychiatry. It is a three-year training programme (if completing training full time), consisting of 6 month rotations through a range of subspecialties. Resident Doctors (RDs) are currently appointed to three regions within the area, Mersey, North West and Lancashire. The size and diversity of the schemes means that there are a wide array of placements to opt for.

The first year often consists of a General Adult post and an Old Age Psychiatry post. All RDs have to complete a developmental post (Child and Adolescent Psychiatry or Psychiatry of Intellectual Disability) prior to completion of the three years. Specialist General Adult posts, such as Early Intervention in Psychosis or Home Based Treatment Team, and posts in Forensic settings and Substance Misuse are available.

All RDs gain experience in Psychotherapy, completing Case-discussion groups, followed by a Short and Long case in different modalities. For more information on Core Psychotherapy Training please click here.

There are both local and regional teaching programmes, which are of an excellent quality, to help RDs complete the Core Psych examinations and prepare for specialty training.

RDs receive one hour protected supervision time with their clinical supervisor each week and are allocated an educational supervisor and Training Programme Director (TPD) at the start of training.

There are ample opportunities to teach medical students, volunteer for leadership positions and undertake quality improvement projects. Some RDs undertake their training less-than-full-time, or combine Clinical and Academic training as an Academic Clinical Fellow.

Training Locations

Cheshire and Merseyside

The Mersey and Cheshire training scheme incorporates three mental health trusts:

Core RDs will be expected to rotate through at least two of the mental health trusts over the course of their three years of training. 

Along with providing excellent training opportunities in a range of clinical settings, Liverpool is a bustling city that is rich in culture.

Its maritime heritage overlooks the River Mersey, where you can ride a ferry or visit the stunning Albert Dock and visit one of the city’s many museums.

Liverpool is host to a rich music scene with many venues to visit, along with a wide range of restaurants, shopping and leisure facilities, including Liverpool One.

The city of Liverpool boasts two Premier League football teams.  But crowning it all are the residents of the city. Liverpudlians (or “scousers” as they are called) are some of the friendliest, most down-to-earth, people you are ever likely to meet, with a great sense of humour.

http://www.visitliverpool.com/  / http://www.visitcheshire.com/

Greater Manchester Scheme 

On the Greater Manchester Scheme there are 3 Mental Health Trusts:

RDs will be expected to rotate through most of the Trusts during a minimum of six 6-month posts.

Manchester in now England’s second city, renowned for its passions for art, shops and boutiques.

Manchester also has a number of free museums and galleries including the Lowry, Imperial War Museum and Museum and Science of Industry.

Manchester United and Manchester City Football Clubs are both celebrated worldwide and with one of Britain’s only cycling velodromes, Manchester is the place to be for world-class sport and opportunity.

Manchester also boats Europe’s largest indoor arena, regularly playing host to the world’s best artists.

http://www.visitmanchester.com/

Lancashire Scheme

Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust is a small but reputable region that offers RDs a wide breadth of experience during their 3 years of Core Training.

South Cumbria is a brilliant place to live and work. There is stunning countryside and lots of outdoor activities in the mountains and lakes of the Lake District National Park and the coastal regions.

There are pretty villages and lively towns such as Kendal, Ulverston and Barrow-in-Furness, with affordable housing, good schools, and entertainment such as cinemas, theatres and live music.

Cities such as Carlisle, Lancaster, Manchester and Liverpool are accessible from the M6 and the West Coast Main Line train services.

We are a welcoming and friendly group of psychiatrists, so come and join us for your core training in South Cumbria.

http://www.visitlancashire.com/

The list of current posts can be found in Appendix A – Core Psychiatry Training Placements. This list is subject to change.

Please let your Training Programme Director know ASAP if there is a problem with your placement allocated to minimise disruption. Developments from the time the rotation is drafted such as sickness, maternity, OOP requests and ARCP outcomes may lead to changes in placements:

The Core Psychiatry Training Scheme is split into three regions across the NorthWest:

  • Cheshire and Mersey Region
  • Greater Manchester
  • Lancashire

At recruitment trainees are asked to specify which area they would like to train in. For more information regarding the  NHS England Recruitment process please click here.