Welcome!

The first thing to say to you is that the Moore-Ridings surgery firm welcomes medical students and there is a strong ethos for teaching and training here.  You should never be afraid to ask a question at any time or to ask for help with something that you do not understand.  Please feel free to ask questions from any member of the team.

Firm Structure

2 Consultant Surgeons (Mr Etienne Moore and Mr Philip Ridings)

2 Registrars (ST 4 to 8 level)

1 Senior House Officer (ST 1 to 3 level)

Foundation House Officers (F1)

Your Responsibilities

At all times you are expected to be sensitive and courteous to patients.  You should always act in a professional manner when in the working environment.  Most patients are very happy to see medical students but you should respect the few that do not want medical student contact.  Always ask patients if they mind you seeing them and always introduce yourself.  Never lie to a patient or make things up because this can seriously affect patient care.  It is much better to say that you do not know the answer to a question rather than give misinformation.

Always wear your identification badge when in hospital.

You should find out firm events, eg operating lists and out-patient clinics, for the coming week from a member of the surgical team.  The team meets at 8am on ward 9A of the Millennium Wing at the Royal Sussex County Hospital every Monday, Tuesday and Friday and you should join the team at this time too.  The team then reviews the Moore-Ridings patients and you will have the opportunity to experience changes in patients' medical conditions and learn about medical management changes.  On Wednesday the team meets at 8.15am in the Digestive Diseases seminar room on level 9A for the weekly X-Ray meeting and you are invited to attend and hear about interesting medical cases and see radiological abnormalities.  On Thursday the team meets at 8am at level 9A Surgical Short Stay ward nurses station for the post take ward round and you should have a patient ready to present to the consultant.  Let the consultant know that you would like to present a patient straight after the consultant has introduced themselves to that patient.  Ask the F1 house officers if you need help with this.

Medical students are expected to present at least one patient on the main elective and emergency consultant ward rounds and you should make sure that you are prepared for this.  The foundation house officers, senior house officer and registrars can help you in this regard.  Those students who do not push themselves forwards to present on the consultant ward round miss out on valuable practice that is crucial training for medical exams and professional communication.

There is a lot of freedom to tailor your surgical attachment as you wish with few compulsory timetabled commitments.  There are lots of educational opportunities happening every week and you should try to ensure you have as broad an experience as possible.  You are invited to attend the firm's ward rounds, elective and emergency operating lists at the Royal Sussex County Hospital, the Princess Royal Hospital and Lewes Victoria Hospital, endoscopy lists, out-patient clinics (maximum two students per clinic doctor), X-Ray meetings, cancer meetings and departmental academic afternoons.  The investment that you make in attending these firm activities and in actively participating and asking questions will be mirrored in the educational rewards that you will take away from your surgical attachment.  Welcome and get involved!