Parliamentary Secretary of Health Joe Cassar announced  the launch of three new training programmes as part of the Malta Foundation Programme which trains doctors in their first two years after graduation.

Malta adopted the UK Foundation Programme, and became an affiliate of the UK Foundation Programme Office which offers postgraduate training to junior doctors.

The first training programme involves clinical simulation and clinical skills training which allows foundation doctors to train to manage acutely ill patients and perform basic procedures using high fidelity simulation equipment specially acquired for this purpose. The training using these simulators was made possible through the support of the UKFPO and the East Midlands Healthcare Workforce Deanery.  Expert British trainers have been in Malta to train foundation doctors and local trainers.

The second programme which starts this week is a Careers Management Workshop which is being delivered by British careers management advisors form East Midlands Workforce Deanery to foundation doctors in their second year of training.  The programme being used, Windmills, is a ground breaking, and internationally acclaimed careers management programme.  Its aim is to encourage doctors to reflect on their abilities and aspirations and the changing needs of patients.

The third project is an e-learning programme which is being developed together with Synapse. This programme will deliver learning solutions to the next generation of healthcare professionals using innovative learning technologies. These online modules will cover key areas of the curriculum and give the trainees the opportunity of learning anytime and anywhere and also to perform self-assessment.  The first module being launched and which is written by Principal Pharmacist Mark Zammit covers the area of safe prescribing.

Parliamentary Secretary Joe Cassar and British High Commissioner Louise Stanton at the launch of the training programmes

At the launch of new training programmes for young doctors, at the Foundation Programme Malta, the British High Commissioner for Malta, H.E. Ms Louise Stanton’s remarked that: “It’s a great pleasure to welcome back to Malta the UK Foundation Programme Office team who are here to review progress and show support to the Malta Foundation Programme.  This is yet another superb example of how the British and Maltese governments work together to share best practise for the benefit of both our countries. One immediate result is that instead of 75% of newly graduated doctors leaving Malta for the UK, now 79% of new doctors are staying. I’m delighted that the UK has been able to facilitate an enhanced educational experience for Malta’s junior doctors, at the same time as keeping more of them in Malta.”

Parliamentary Secretary for Health Dr Joseph Cassar said: “The new programmes being launched are groundbreaking developments which will enhance the educational experience of our young doctors through training of high standards.  This will guarantee that our patients will continue to receive the best quality of care in our hospitals and health centres.  The investment being made demonstrates the commitment of this government to ensure improvement in the standards of post graduate training”.

Dr Tonio Piscopo, one of the Directors of the Malta Foundation School, said:  “As an affiliate of the UK Foundation Programme, the Malta Foundation Programme is continuing to work with British colleagues as well as local partners to ensure that the standard of training offered to our doctors in Malta is the same as that offered in the UK. These new programmes will provide our trainees with a new educational experience.”

The Chief Executive Officer  of The Synapse, Dr Wilfred Galea, said  “We are very proud to be working with the Foundation Programme in the delivery of eLearning programme. The module being launched today is one of a large number of modules which will be rolled out in the coming months. In the development of this programme we have brought together experts in medical education with local experts in education and eLearning. These programmes will complement the large portfolio of services offered by The Synapse and will also be accessible to all members of the medical profession”

Dr Stuart Carney, Deputy Director of the UKFPO remarked that “These three projects are at the heart of what foundation training is about - equipping new doctors with skills for safe and effective patient care and enabling them to make more informed decisions about their medical careers. I am impressed by how much the Malta Foundation School has achieved in such a short period of time. They are embracing innovative new technologies and are well on their way to developing a world-class training programme."

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