Eastern Education Group (EEG) hosted a team building day for 60 trainee doctors this week.
Those who took part are all part of a GP training programme covering Colchester and the surrounding area.
They all descended on the University Professional Development Centre (UPDC) in Bury St Edmunds to take part in a series of fun activities.
(The event was supported by Jayne Hiley (Training Programme Director) and Dr Baz Kuppuswamy (GP) representing the Primary Care School and GP Deanery for the East of England; and Rosie Connolly (GP Training Programme Administrator at East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust) alongside staff from EEG and UPDC.
They built towers using spaghetti and marshmallows, played human bingo, guided each other blindfolded through obstacle courses, negotiated an escape room and expressed their creativity through painting using virtual reality in the state of the art college XR lab.
Whilst it gave the medical stars of the future the chance to relax away from the wards and their studies, it was also a chance for the educational establishment to give something back to the NHS workers.
Virginia Planas is the Strategic NHS Healthcare and Partnership Manager. She said: “Healthcare depends on strong relationships, trust and effective teamwork. This event gave trainee GPs the time and space to connect with colleagues, communicate in new ways and enjoy being together away from the pressures of clinical practice.
“We were delighted that the event – in partnership with East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust (ESNEFT) – was able to support the people who will become an important part of our future GP workforce.”
Rosie Connolly works for ESNEFT and the GP school that is based in the Colchester and surrounding areas. She said: “Every year we arrange a team building day for our trainees. They are the future GPs of our area so it is important they work together, build relationships and get to know each other. They are constantly looking after everyone else but today was all about them.
“The relationship with the college and the organiser (Virginia) has been amazing. I’ve never been here before and it’s fabulous – it’s a really nice environment and the event has been fun and well organised.”
Mumtaza Ahmed is a GP trainee (at Colchester). She said: “It has been a way for us to get to get to know each other, have some fun in a different setting and feel like we are people again. This has been a great opportunity.
Anthony Mathias also works in Colchester as a GP trainee. He said: “It’s a great way for us to get to know future colleagues. It’s been fast-paced, thrilling and motivating.”
Nana Armah – is another GP trainee. She said: “It’s been good. The college is impressive.”
Eastern Education Group hopes to build on the event by continuing to work with NHS partners to support healthcare education, professional development and workforce wellbeing across the region.
