Great Western Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Foundation Trainees Information Pack 2011

The Academy The Great Western Hospital Marlborough Road Swindon Wiltshire SN3 6BB Reception: 01793 604416 Fax: 01793 604444 Table of Contents

Welcome...... 1 Hospital Information...... 2 The Great Western Hospital...... 2 The Brunel Treatment Centre...... 2 Shalbourne Suite...... 3 Marlborough House...... 3 Savernake Hospital...... 3 How to Find ‘The Great Western Hospital’ Site...... 4 Accommodation...... 5 The Facilities...... 5 Junior Doctor’s Mess...... 6 What to expect...... 7 Teaching Programmes for Foundation Trainees...... 9 SWIFT1 (Swindon Foundation Training Year 1)...... 9 SWIFT2 (Swindon Foundation Training Year 2)...... 10 Departmental Teaching...... 10 Teaching Experience Opportunities...... 10 The Academy...... 12 Useful Contacts...... 12 Academy Library:...... 12 Librarians...... 12 The GWH Annual Audit Prize...... 13 Things to do in Swindon...... 14 Sport and Leisure...... 14 Shopping & Grocery Shopping...... 18

i Welcome

Hello to all of you and welcome to the Information Pack for prospective Foundation programme applicants to the Great Western Hospital, Swindon. You are fast approaching the end of your journey as medical students and are about to embark on your first steps as qualified doctors. The theoretical knowledge and practical skills you have gained in your student years will be consolidated in your first 2 years – the Foundation programme – preparing you for specialty training. The move from student to doctor brings many challenges that your medical course will have prepared you for. The experience of taking responsibility, being asked your opinion, discovering your limitations and managing patients first hand is both exhilarating and frightening. The Great Western Hospital is an excellent place to train in your Foundation programme. It is a new, purpose built hospital with state of the art facilities for patients and staff. There is an active Academy providing a formal setting for learning and teaching. There is a dedicated teaching programme for F1 and F2 trainees and a wealth of clinical experience in all departments. The senior medical and nursing staffs are acknowledged as excellent, supportive teachers. We look forward to welcoming bright and inquisitive new doctors who will use the opportunities provided to develop their own knowledge and skills, provide excellence in patient care as well as enriching the teaching and learning that is a feature of life at the Great Western Hospital.

Yours sincerely,

Dr D Mukherjee Miss S Chalstrey Foundation Programme Director Deputy Foundation Programme Director

1 Hospital Information The Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (formerly the Swindon and Marlborough NHS Trust) consists of these hospitals and services.  The Great Western Hospital – a modern district general hospital providing emergency care, surgery, diagnostics, outpatient and day case services.  The Brunel Treatment Centre – a 128 bed unit attached to the Great Western Hospital, designed to provide high quality elective (planned) care and diagnostics.  The Shalbourne Suite – a 20 bed private unit within the Brunel Treatment Centre.

There are also other hospitals, clinics and services provided by the trust including Marlborough House, Savernake Hospital and Fairford Hospital. Other community health services are provided by the Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, such as the hospitals in Devizes, Trowbridge and Chippenham.

The Great Western Hospital The Great Western Hospital is a modern district general hospital providing emergency care, surgery, diagnostics, paediatrics, maternity, outpatients and day case services. The hospital opened in December 2002, replacing the Princess Margaret Hospital in Old Town Swindon. The new buildings are superbly designed and equipped, and they offer a first class environment for patients, visitors and staff, with over 30% of our beds provided in single rooms with en-suite facilities. With more than 600 beds the Great Western offers a range of services and facilities from a busy Emergency Department boasting one of the best helipads in the country to a dynamic radiology department to a birthing pool. The trust has one of the lowest MRSA infection rates in the country. The Trust works closely with private sector partner Carillion who maintain the building and provide important services such as portering, security and catering. The food in particular has received consistently high ratings in our ongoing surveys.

The Brunel Treatment Centre The Brunel Treatment Centre is a 128 bed state-of-the-art facility attached to the Great Western Hospital. It has been specifically designed to treat patients who need elective (planned) surgery and where patients are offered a pre-assessment health check to ensure they are fit and informed for that surgery. The centre offers a bright, airy environment for patients and staff with a high level of equipment and facilities in every ward and room, all of which have their own en-suite toilets and showers. A third of the beds are in single rooms. The Treatment Centre has five operating theatres and can share all the diagnostic, medical and surgical facilities available in the Great Western Hospital. The Brunel Treatment Centre has its own refreshment area called Café Blue, and ample car parking facilities.

2 Shalbourne Suite The Shalbourne suite is a 20 bed private patient unit within the Brunel Treatment Centre. All beds are in private rooms with en-suite facilities and with bedside entertainment and communication centre. The suite has its own entrance and offers a top quality environment for patients who wish to be treated privately. The Shalbourne Suite benefits from having access to outpatient and consulting rooms and all the diagnostic, surgical and medical facilities available to the Great Western Hospital and the Brunel Treatment Centre. Money raised by the Shalbourne Suite is re-invested in Trust Services and is therefore supporting the NHS whilst providing first class private health care.

Marlborough House Marlborough House is home to the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service. In our therapy, we work with young people and their families, encouraging open, honest and meaningful communication. We aim to encourage flexibility and creativity. The unit is self contained on the hospital site and offers both inpatient and day patient facilities. The inpatient unit has 12 beds, all single rooms, and this includes a dependancy area. We also have up to six places for young people to attend on a daily basis.

Savernake Hospital Savernake Hospital is a modern, purpose-built community hospital with 24 general medical in-patient beds. There is a thriving Outpatient Clinic where patients can choose to see Great Western Hospital consultants from departments such as orthopaedics, paediatrics, gynaecology, rheumatology, dermatology, neurology, urology, ophthalmology, ENT, audiology and general medicine or surgery. The Radiology Department is digitally linked to the Great Western Hospital radiology department and offers this x-ray service to patients from GPs, Outpatients, Day Therapy services and the ward.

“GWH is a nice place to work (it is a nice shiny new hospital!), and is small enough to get to know most/all of the other juniors. I feel well supported. There is always a lot going on (medical wise) so there is lots of opportunity to learn. GWH is definitely close enough to commute from Bath or Bristol on a daily basis.” Rory Sharvill, F2 (2011)

3 How to Find ‘The Great Western Hospital’ Site

By Rail: The nearest main line station is Swindon, located in the town centre.

By Bus: Services run frequently both from the town centre (Fleming way and the bus station) and surrounding areas. The following Thamesdown Services run to the hospital: 16, 18, 20, 24, 30, 46, 46A, 47, 48, 48A, 70A

By Cycle: The hospital is linked to the Swindon Cycle path network. Cycle parking is available outside the main entrance and various points around the hospital.

By Road: The Great Western Hospital is located to the southeast of Swindon Town Centre, close to junction 15 of the M4 motorway.  From the M4: Exit at Junction 15 and head north on the A419 towards Swindon. Following signs to the hospital, turn off the A419 onto the slip road before the Commonhead flyover and turn left into Marlborough Road, A4259. The entrance to the Hospital is 300 metres on the left.  From the town centre: Leave the town centre via Fleming way to the magic roundabout and travel straight across onto Queens Drive A4259. At the next roundabout take the third exit to remain on Queens Drive. Travel straight ahead at the next roundabout into Marlborough Road. The entrance to the Hospital is 1500 metres on the right.  On arrival: Most of the visitor parking is located at the front of the hospital, with staff parking to the rear of the hospital. Visitor car parking works on a pay-on-exit scheme. Drop off areas are provided at some of the hospital entrances.

“F2 teaching is amazing here – you get teaching every week on really good topics. From an F2 teaching point of view, this has got to be the best teaching programme that I’ve heard of. Also, here is awesome support in the job. Consultants always available & I feel really well supported.” Farook Sarfraz, F2 (2011)

4 Accommodation Downsview House is the residences block on the Great Western Hospital site built and managed by UNITE. There are 143 units comprising a range of shared flats for single occupancy, all with en-suite shower rooms and a spacious shared kitchen lounge area, as well as 1 bedroomed flats for couples (no children or pets are allowed). A number of these rooms are fully adapted for wheelchair use.

The Facilities Each en-suite room is fully furnished with a single bed, wardrobe, drawers, desk, bookcase, desk and easy chair, lamp, radio alarm clock, mini kettle and mugs, pin board, waste bin and telephone. The room is also provided with bedding and towels that will be changed regularly. Each cluster flat has a communal area for cooking, dining and socialising. These are fully furnished and equipped with kitchen units, cooker, hob, fridge-freezer, dishwasher, coffee maker, TV, video, iron & ironing board, vacuum cleaner, mop & bucket, dining table & chairs, easy chairs and coffee table and all kitchen utensils, crockery, cutlery and saucepans. The one bedroomed flats are comprised of a large kitchen/lounge/dining room, a double bedroom, a shower room/pod and a cleaning/storage cupboard. These flats contain all the same elements that are in each of the en-suite rooms and cluster flats communal areas.

Other Facilities Telephone & Internet Access – all telephones are connected to the internal telephone network and external dialling facilities can be requested through the Accommodation Department. Internet access is provided to all rooms free of charge. Common Room– there is a large common room on the ground floor of Downsview house which has a kitchenette, pool table, vending machines and a television with freeview. Laundry Room – there is a communal laundry room on the ground floor which is competitively priced and available 24 hours a day. Bicycle Stores – a secure and undercover cycle store is located within the grounds. Car Parking – there is a large car park for residents only and spaces are allocated on a first come, first served basis Security – a state of the art security system offers 24 hour CCTV surveillance in addition to the 24 hour concierge, an emergency call point and a door access system.

Junior Doctor’s Mess

5 In October 2010 the Great Western Hospital’s Junior Doctor’s Mess moved to brand new accommodation on the Ground Floor between the Main Hospital and the Brunel Treatment Centre. Facilities in the Mess include a pool table, 50” plasma screen TV, games console, two PCs, main dining table & chairs, and lots of comfy seating. The brand new kitchen area includes a bistro-style sitting area, fridge freezer, microwave, instant water boiler, sink area, and a dishwasher.

Curry is provided at weekends for those on call and there is a constant supply of tea, coffee, milk, bread, cuppa soups, cereal, biscuits and sweets in the mess for members. The Mess is a hive of activity with sports clubs (football, netball, running), and regular events – the Payday Parties are particularly popular!

“GWH is a brilliant hospital to start life as a proper doctor! It’s big enough to provide excitement and variety, but small enough that you feel part of a team. The staff are all wonderful and eager to teach. The medicine rotations are mixed with AAU so it’s a great choice if you wanted to do A&E but have too many other choices for F2, and provides a steep learning curve! If I could make my choices again I would definitely still place GWH at the top of the list!” Nicola Cook, F1 (2011)

6 Induction What to expect At the GWH Foundation Trust we supported an early start for F1s in July/August 2009, 2010 and 2011 by providing a week-long induction programme. The feedback from these induction programmes was excellent. The programme was underpinned and driven by the Trusts existing Foundation Trainees and incorporated a number of taught and drop-in sessions, workshops, and a hugely successful social event towards the end of the week which brought-together the new F1s, existing F1s, consultants from across the Trust, the Medical Education Team and Trust Management. This enabled early familiarisation with wards and patients, and ensured effective induction to address risks including safe prescribing and fluid prescription. Following the success of the July/August 2009, 2010 and 2011 Induction Programme, we will again be supporting an early start for F1s in 2012. An example copy of the Induction Programme from August 2011 can be found on the next page.

New F1 Trainees Practical Clinical Scenarios Training Day 25th July 2011 Prior to the formal induction programme, a SIM day was held for our incoming new F1s. This course was designed and facilitated by two Core Medical Trainees at the Trust and involved current F1s assisting the new F1s at various stations. The purpose of the day was to prepare the new F1s for acute situations they may find themselves in during their first few weeks of being a doctor.

The new F1s also enjoyed a welcome meal at Le Rendezvous which was sponsored by Severn Foundation School. The evening proved to be a great success, as it allowed the new F1s to develop a relationship with more senior peers in a relatively informal setting.

Time Group One Group Two 0830 Registration - The Academy 0900 Introduction - Lecture Hall 2 0910 Emergency: Upper GI Bleed Practical Clinical Scenario: Asthma Lecture Hall 2 Seminar Room 1 0945 Coffee 1000 ABG Interpretation ECG Interpretation Lecture Hall 2 Seminar Room 1 1100 ECG Interpretation ABG Interpretation Seminar Room 1 Lecture Hall 2 1200 Lunch 1300 Practical Clinical Scenario: Chest Pain Practical Clinical Scenario: Low Urine Output Lecture Hall 2 Seminar Room 1 1345 Practical Clinical Scenario: Asthma Emergency: Upper GI Bleed Seminar Room 1 Lecture Hall 2 1415 Coffee 1430 On-call scenarios “What to do if….” Seminar Room 1 1545 Practical Clinical Scenario: Low Urine Output Practical Clinical Scenario: Chest Pain Seminar Room 1 Lecture Hall 2 1630 Coffee / Q&A Lecture Hall 2 1715 Fun Quiz - Lecture Hall 2 1735 Certificates and finish

7 FOUNDATION YEAR ONE INDUCTION PROGRAMME 26th July – 2nd August 2011

Date Time Session Speaker Venue Tue 26th July 0800 - 0830 Arrive, tea/coffee. Registration, photos & assigned to groups 0830 - 0930 Trust Induction, inc. Fire Safety & ABLS Theory Lecture 2 0930 - 1015 IP&C, Blood Transfusion & Venepuncture Theory IP&C Team 1030 - 1130 ABLS Practical Janice Cumpsty / Tina Symons Seminar 1 1130 - 1230 IT Training Lesley Hartnell Lecture 2 Child Protection Level 1 1300 – 1330 Mental Capacity and DoLS Sue Thompson Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults Lecture 2 Health & Safety (in Major Incidents & IR1) 1330 – 1410 Mark Hemphill / Stephen Higgins Manual Handling Theory 1410 - 1430 ICU Outreach Team Dawn Oddie Equality & Diversity, Conflict Resolution, Information Governance Lecture 2 1500 – 1615 & Bereavement Services Collect Name Badges th Wed 27 July 0900 Eportfolio and WBAs Amy Cook Lecture 2 1000 E-prescribing, Safe prescribing, Antibiotics & Pharmacy Services Antibiotic Pharmacist Lecture 2 1115 Nutrition / Fluid Management / Sepsis Reuben Cooper / Sekina Bakare Lecture 2 1230 SWIFT1 – Things I wish I had known (current F1s) Debesh Mukherjee & Sue Chalstrey Seminar 1 1430 The AMU Charlotte Cannon Lecture 2 1600 Clinical Audit Ranju Gopal Lecture 2 th Thu 28 July Working with current F1 on ward 1645 Review of first day on the wards Amy Cook Academy 1700 Patient Scenarios Current F1s Sim Room

Welcome Meal @ Le Rendezvous in Swindon town centre – 7pm - £14.50pp th Fri 29 July Working with current F1 on ward st Mon 1 Aug Working with current F1 on ward nd Tue 2 Aug Final clinical handover on wards

8 Teaching Programmes for Foundation Trainees SWIFT1 (Swindon Foundation Training Year 1) Audience: Foundation Y1 Trainees Structure: 1½ hour interactive workshops on a weekly basis This programme aims to provide knowledge, skills and competencies in a number of areas including communication and consultation skills, patient safety and team work as well as the more traditional elements of medical training. Below is an example of what is covered in the SWIFT1 programme:

SWIFT1 August 2011 – July 2012 Date Session 10th August 2011 Radiology I 17th August 2011 Cardiology I 24th August 2011 Haematology – Transfusion 31st August 2011 Post-op Complications & Fluid Balance 7th September 2011 Death Certification 14th September 2011 Prescribing 28th September 2011 Mortuary/Bereavement Services 5th October 2011 Gastroenterology I – Emergencies 12th October 2011 Surgical Abdominal Emergencies 19th October 2011 Trauma and Orthopaedic Emergencies 26th October 2011 Diabetes and Endocrine Emergencies 2nd November 2011 Respiratory I – The Breathless Patient 9th November 2011 Management of Hypertension 16th November 2011 Stroke 23rd November 2011 Sepsis and P.U.O 30th November 2011 Neurology – Meningitis, Seizures, Coma 7th December 2011 Acute Renal Failure 14th December 2011 Chest Drain 21st December 2011 Clinical Audit 4th January 2012 Mortuary/Bereavement Services 11th January 2012 Mental Health Act, Consent and Mental Capacity 18th January 2012 Oncology Service 25th January 2012 Feedback Session 1st February 2012 Haematology II 8th February 2012 Financial Planning 15th February 2012 Poisoning 22nd February 2012 Genito-Urinary Medicine 29th February 2012 Radiology II 7th March 2012 Palliative Care 14th March 2012 Anaesthetics and ICU 21st March 2012 Cardiology II 28th March 2012 Organ Donation & Consent 4th April 2012 Management of the Arteriopaths 11th April 2012 Gastroenterology II – Acute Gastro Problems 18th April 2012 Respiratory II 25th April 2012 Care of the Elderly 2nd May 2012 Clinical Audit Presentations 9th May 2012 Health Promotion & Public Health (GP session) 16th May 2012 Taster session – Rheumatology 23rd May 2012 Taster session – ENT 30th May 2012 Taster session – Eyes 6th June 2012 Taster session – Obstetrics & Gynaecology 13th June 2012 Taster session – Dermatology 20th June 2012 Taster session – Urology 27th June 2012 Taster session – Paediatrics 4th July 2012 Assessment of the Sick Patient

9 SWIFT2 (Swindon Foundation Training Year 2) Audience: Foundation Y2 Trainees Structure: 1½ hour interactive workshops on a weekly basis This programme aims to provide knowledge, skills and competencies in a number of areas to complement the Regional F2 Teaching Programme. Below is an example of what is covered in the SWIFT2 programme: SWIFT2 August 2011 – July 2012 Date Session 9th August 2011 Introductions and year planning 16th August 2011 Careers 23rd August 2011 Nephrology 30th August 2011 Chest Drain SIM Session 6th September 2011 Audit 13th September 2011 Consent & Mental Capacity 27th September 2011 Transfusion 18th October 2011 Organ Donation & Consent 25th October 2011 Management of Hypertension 1st November 2011 MORTUARY 8th November 2011 Cardiology; ECGs – are you confident? 15th November 2011 Neurology – Meningitis, Seizure, Coma 22nd November 2011 Dermatology 29th November 2011 Trauma & Orthopaedic Emergencies 6th December 2011 Diabetes & Endocrine emergencies 13th December 2011 Radiology 10th January 2012 NHS Structure 17th January 2012 GU Medicine 24th January 2012 Oncology Service 31st January 2012 Respiratory 7th February 2012 Financial Planning 14th February 2012 Cardiology 21st February 2012 Confessions Session 28th February 2012 Jehovah’s Witness 6th March 2012 Bereavement Services 13th March 2012 Gastroenterology 20th March 2012 ENT 27th March 2012 Palliative Care 3rd April 2012 Management of Arteriopaths 10th April 2012 Stroke 17th April 2012 Something Surgical 24th April 2012 Clinical Audit Presentations 1st May 2012 Poisoning 8th May 2012 Liver Biopsy 15th May 2012 Anaesthetics & ICU 22nd May 2012 How to read an ECHO (practical Skills) 29th May 2012 Care of the Elderly 5th June 2012 Acid base balance and intubation 12th June 2012 Genito-Urinary Medicine 19th June 2012 Learning disabilities Departmental Teaching In addition to the formal teaching programmes, Foundation Trainees at GWH have access to a wide range of Learning and Education Opportunities across all specialties. These range from Bedside Teaching to Case Based Discussion Groups to formal Seminar/Lecture sessions. Teaching Experience Opportunities Our undergraduate Teaching Programme is very popular as it provides Foundation Trainees with the opportunity to run tutorials for groups of up to five medical Students. These teaching sessions typically cover clinical skills, examination, history taking and acute scenarios.

10 Testimonials from GWH Foundation Trainees “Becoming an F1 doctor is a pretty daunting task but the people around you can make the transition so much easier. Here at GWH I have been so lucky to work with some fantastic senior members of staff who not only provide support but some great teaching. Most departments will give additional teaching to the scheduled weekly F1 teaching. They regularly encourage feedback to improve the system and actually care about what the junior members of staff have to say! I have also been fortunate enough to carry out a number of practical procedures. I think we are very lucky in this trust to have the opportunity to work in the acute assessment unit – this develops your clinical and practical skills as an F1 – a great experience! I have enjoyed my time at GWH so far and I would thoroughly recommend this hospital.” Selina Bismohun, F1 (2011)

“Swindon Hospital provides an excellent foundation for the beginning of life as a Doctor. With the incorporation of acute assessment unit rotations into the medical rota you get valuable exposure, in a safe environment, to a wide range of acute medical scenarios which equips you better to handle situations you routinely face on the wards. The support from SHOs to Consultants, admin and nursing staff is excellent and you never feel up a creek without a paddle. The commute from Bristol is very do-able too!” Mark Gillam, F1 (2011)

“The Great Western Hospital in Swindon has been a fantastic place to start as an FY1. My first rotation has been medicine. In any medicine job, you alternate between a specialist medical ward for 7 weeks and the Acute Assessment Unit (AAU) for 7 weeks etc. I was starting on AAU and was petrified. However daunting this was, plunging in at the deep end, I was so lucky to have the opportunity to work in acute medicine. It is so rewarding, often being the first doctor to see the patient. You get loads of practical experience and can really put all that finals knowledge into practice for yourself, with a feeling of responsibility I think we all crave at the end of medical school. Yet you are never alone, there are always seniors to ask advice from if you have any worries and I feel really well supported in the department. Although quite hard work with long hours (I don’t know what I was expecting!) above all, I found AAU great fun, with loads of junior doctors and other members of staff it has been a good laugh along the way. I do not know any other trusts that offer this great general medicine experience, with all FY1s working in AAU at some point. I would thoroughly recommend Swindon as a top choice for foundation years." Tessa Whitehead, F1 (2011)

11 The Academy The Academy is a highly successful multi-professional education centre, situated within on the Lower Ground Floor of the Great Western Hospital. The Academy boasts state of the art education facilities including telemedicine, video conferencing, extensive IT, an excellent multi profession Library as well as a full range of education rooms, clinical skills lab and lecture theatres. Our aim is to increase the quality of care to our patients and meet the present and future Education, Training & Development needs of all Trust staff and students. We strive to ensure that individuals are supported in obtaining the necessary knowledge, skills and behaviours; to provide an evolving and continually improving high quality standard of health care to patients and service users and to meet these needs within a multi-disciplinary and supportive environment providing a first class service at all times.

Useful Contacts Postgraduate Medical Education Manager Amy Cook (01793) 604165 Senior GP Education Co-ordinator Siobhan Timms (01793) 604424 Academy Reception Amanda Bell (01793) 604416

The Academy offices are usually open between 8.00am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday.

Academy Library: All GWH staff are entitled to membership of the Library. The Library is staffed from 08:30 – 17:30 Mondays to Thursdays, 08:30 - 17:00 Fridays; however, your Trust ID badge will give you access to the library at all times. There are over 50 study spaces, including 24 computers with access to the internet as well as the library catalogue (www.swims.nhs.uk), reference databases (www.swice.nhs.uk) or NHS electronic journals (journals.library.nhs.uk).

Librarians Head Librarian Sam Burgess [email protected]

UWE Link Librarian Nicola Ranger Ext 4596

Senior Library Assistants Ann Vellender Ext 4593 Trish McLean Ext 4593

Library Assistants Bridget Romans Ext 4596 Judith Wingfield Ext 4596

12 The GWH Annual Audit Prize Participation in Research and Audit Projects is actively encouraged among trainee doctors at the GWH.

2011 Results

Gold Award - Introduction of patient-controlled epidural analgesia to the delivery suite at GWH. Dr Matthew Drake & Dr Juan Graterol (Anaesthetics Registrar)

Silver Award - Standardising routine neonatal checks, their documentation and adherence to NICE guidelines. Dr Abigail Gee & Dr Gemma Gough (F1 & F2)

Bronze Award - Ward troponin audit & re-audit. Dr Rachel Jones (F1)

Runners Up:  Dr Lucy Parker & Dr Sarah Bates (F1 & Rheumatology Registrar)  Ms Angie Smith (Senior Orthoptist)  Dr Aidi Halim Lim (F1)

13 Things to do in Swindon

Sport and Leisure

“Tuesday netball is great!” GWH Netball Jenny Millard, F2 (2011) Dorcan Sports Centre (The Dome) Every Tuesday 6.00 – 7.00pm £2.00 per game Contacts: Susan Webb – Ext. 5141 or Bleep 1419 or Denise Cholod – Ext. 4616

5 A Side Football

Faringdon Leisure Centre, Faringdon Every Monday night, 9-10 pm Contact Dr Nick Ridley for more info ext 5069 or [email protected]

Broome Manor Gym & Golf Complex Facilities available include:  18-hole golf course  9-hole golf course  34-bay driving range  Putting green  Practice area  PGA professional golf coaching  PGA professional shop  Disabled golfer's buggy  Gym

Oasis Leisure Centre Facilities available include:  Lagoon Swimming Pool, with 3 giant water slides ('Domebusters'), wave machine, water cannon, hydroslide and waterslide  Gym  Multi-purpose sports hall (eight courts)  Fitness classes  Indoor bowling  4 outdoor pitches  Squash courts  Recreation sessions

14 Health Hydro Housed in a Victorian building, The Health Hydro has two separate pools to meet the needs of many groups of swimmers. The 33m conventional pool is purpose made for those wishing to swim lengths to build up fitness or to improve their competition skills. The 18m pool is perfect for those learning to swim and provides a comfortable swimming environment for those who enjoy warm water. Facilities available include:  Two swimming pools  Gym  Turkish baths  Natural health clinic  Fitness classes

Link Centre Facilities available include:  Ice rink  25m deck level swimming pool  Climbing wall  Gym  Health suite  Fitness classes  Multi-purpose sports hall (eight-court)  3G Outdoor Pitches  Squash courts  Snooker hall  Recreation sessions  Kitstopshop (Ice and sports goods)  Library

Swindon Tenpin Bowling Facilities available include:  32 Bowling Lanes & Cosmic Bowling  6 American Pool Tables  2 English Pool Tables

Swindon Speedway & Dog Racing Stadium Swindon Robins Speedway is situated at Abbey Stadium, racing take place Thursday evenings March – October. The stadium is also home to greyhound racing.

Lydiard Park Lydiard Park is a beautiful historic parkland on the western edge of Swindon. The Palladian house, walled garden, parkland and children's play area offer something for everyone, all year round. Lydiard Park was once the ancestral home of the Viscounts Bolingbroke, so there's a wealth of history in the beautifully-restored State Rooms of Lydiard House, with its original furnishings, ornate plasterwork and family portraits. Next door, St Mary's Church is packed with intriguing monuments to the St John family, including the unique triptych and Golden Cavalier statue.

15 Cotswold Water Park Leisure Guide The Cotswold Water Park is an area of 140 lakes, set in 40 square miles of countryside. From country parks, angling lakes, sailing clubs, picturesque villages to campsites, hotels, country inns and much more there is plenty for everyone to explore!

On land: Aerial Adventure Cycle Hire Horse riding Angling Farm Visits Nature Reserves Bird watching Golf Playgrounds Camping Guided Walks

On water: Bathing Beach Ringo Rides Wakeboarding Canoeing Sailing Waterskiing Kayaking Swimming Windsurfing Paddling

Avebury Avebury lies in the heart of the Wiltshire Downs just west of Marlborough, the most ancient borough in England. Avebury stone circles are thought to have been constructed in Neolithic times between 2500 to 2000 BC. The Beaker people, so called after their pottery, are thought to have played a major role in their formation. Avebury is more than just a stone circle – although this is its main feature. There is also a rampart, a ditch, and two mysterious avenues. Avebury also hosts a museum which houses one of the most important prehistoric archaeological collections in Britain.

Barbury Castle The ancient earthworks known as Barbury Castle are on the northern edge of the Marlborough Downs. The site lies within the Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and has been designated as a country park since 1971. The principal focal points of the park are the Iron Age hill fort, covering about twelve acres, the adjacent round barrows, Celtic field systems and 18th-19th Century flint workings. The park location provides visitors with a convenient gateway to the neighbouring chalk downs, and an opportunity to venture into the unspoiled surrounding countryside, rich in history and archaeology.

16 Coate Water Country Park Whatever the season, Coate Water offers visitors a great day out, With energy to burn you could try your hand at the pitch and putt or one of the orienteering courses, or if you just want to relax, there are areas to fish, bird watch, play, picnic, barbecue and even tranquil places to unwind on busy days. If you want to venture further a field, there are a number of walks to local villages and a longer seven-mile (11km) walk to Barbury Castle. The park is situated to the left of the hospital, just a short walk away.

Wyvern Theatre The Wyvern Theatre opened in September 1971 by Her Majesty the Queen and His Royal Highness Prince Phillip. The auditorium has 635 seats and every seat is designed to be no further than 70ft from the stage. Wyvern Theatre is named after a mythical beast, similar to a dragon, which was once the emblem of the Kings of Wessex. For information about performances and ticket bookings visit www.wyverntheatre.org.uk or contact the box office on: (01793) 524481.

Cinema There are 2 cinemas in Swindon; a Cineworld at Shaw Ridge, West Swindon and an Empire cinema at the Greenbridge Retail Park.

“Paediatrics is very good for training – you get a lot of teaching and a lot of support. There are a lot of procedures; I’ve been exposed to lumbar puncture, and as well blood-taking and doing basics is very different in children compared to in adults but it’s all very interesting! It is very difficult to attend the F2 teaching programme whilst working on Paediatrics because of the rota system, but we do a lot of in-house training. There are 2 formal teaching sessions a week which makes up for it!” Charlie Kenward, F2 (2011)

17 Shopping & Grocery Shopping Shopping in the Town Centre The town centre offers a fabulous mixture of shops. Many of these are located within the Brunel Shopping Centre. Here you will find big names such as Marks & Spencer, House of Fraser Outlet as well as the more specialist stores that include Just Add Water, John Anthony and Forum. There are many café bars, pubs and restaurants for you to take a break in. The town centre also turns into a buzzing and lively night attraction.

Great Western Designer Outlet Village Europe’s largest covered designer outlet village has over 100 designer label shops there are discounts of between 30% and 50% off top brands. The amazing selection of stores includes Polo Jeans Company, Burberry, Olsen, Thomas Pink and Ted Baker. There is also a great selection of top high street brands that include Gap, Next, Marks & Spencer and many more. The dedicated ‘At Home ‘section offers everything from china and crystal to furnishings and kitchenware shops. The Outlet Village is unique due to its setting in the splendidly restored Victorian buildings of the Great Western Railway. There is also a food court, which is dominated by a locomotive – currently Hagley Hall, whose sister locomotive starred in Harry Potter.

The Old Town Shopping Experience A visit to Swindon’s Old Town area is a pleasant and enjoyable experience. Set in the old heart of Swindon you will be surrounded by the splendour of Swindon’s past. There are also other attractions in Old Town such as the Town Gardens, Lawn Parks and the Old Town Bowl, which is the venue for Swindon’s unique annual World Music Festival. There is a farmers market every month which is located in the area behind Wood Street. You will also find the Swindon Museum and Art Gallery which houses one of the finest collections of modern art in the country. There are also many cafes, pubs and restaurants to relax in.

Orbital Shopping Park Orbital Shopping Park can be found in North Swindon, just up the A419 from the hospital. There are many different retailers including Next, New Look, Comet, Homebase, Marks & Spencer, Boots, JJB Sports & Gym, Pizza Hut, McDonalds and Asda Walmart. There is also a walk in fountain water feature and kids play area.

Greenbridge Retail Park Greenbridge Retail Park is situated on the outskirts of the town centre and houses approximately 20 different retailers, restaurants and leisure facilities. It is open 7 days a week and most units are open from 8.00am – 8.00pm on weekdays.

Grocery Shopping There are a number of different supermarkets dotted around Swindon, including a Tesco Extra, 2 Sainsbury’s, Asda and Asda Walmart as well as Morrison’s, Lidl & Aldi.