Dr Richard Williams

The Practice

We are a hard working, fun loving seaside practice with all the attractions of the Isle of Wight right outside our doors.  We are situated in the Victorian town of Ryde (the gateway to the Island).  Access to and from the mainland is good with journey times ranging from 30-60 minutes on the car ferry and 10-23 minutes on the high speed passenger catamarans and hovercraft.

We look after 10,500 patients and have a well defined practice area. There are 6 partners, 2 boys and 4 girls.  Our patients come from all strata of society but there is more deprivation in Ryde than in other Island towns and list demography reflects this.  We have a highish percentage of elderly patients (21% over the age of 65 years).  The PCT operates an "on-call service" for out of hours care and our GPRs gain first class experience via this arrangement.  The Primary Health Care team at Tower House is second-to-none.  Our GPRs are fully involved with and integrated into this team from day 1 of the training year.

We offer excellent facilities and teaching. You will have your own well equipped consulting room and rapidly become fluent with the "Vision" computer system (used by all Island practices). We are becoming as paperless as we can, as fast as we can. We offer a well stocked library with internet access. The trainer can offer comprehensive coaching and support for all the components of the new MRCGP examination, including the workplace based assessments.  We are all committed to GP training and whilst we accept that it is hard going, we believe it can be and should be fun.  You should apply for a training position via the Wessex Deanery using their structured application forms, however, if you wanted more information about the practice and the training package on offer, please feel able to contact the practice manger, Mr Clive Oliver, or the trainer, Dr Richard Williams.  We would be pleased to answer your questions and show you around the practice, if you wanted to come over for an informal visit.

Training at the Practice

We will expose you to the "swampy lowlands" of everyday general practice. We will support you when you doubt your ability to master your chosen profession. We will all work together to demonstrate to you that teamwork can and does overcome 90% of life's problems. We will encourage you to reflect on your experiences and give you some protected time to do so. We will help you to develop the skills you need to get you started on your career path. We will make you laugh (a lot) and we will make you cry (a little). Throughout, we will be there for you but, remember, you only get out in proportion to what you put in. General practice training is hard going and you are going to have to find reserves of energy and character in order to succeed. Our philosophy is to help you to become a GP. We can help you when the going gets tough because we've all been there and we can remember how it feels. We will support you at every step along the way and provided you have the commitment and are prepared to put in the effort required, you'll make it.

Previous GPRs

"My training as a GP Registrar at Tower House Surgery was excellent.  The practice is well equipped, spacious and with a friendly environment.  Richard Williams always welcomes new Registrars with a well-prepared induction program.  Training is well structured too, but not inflexibly so.  One can do as much or as little outside the main clinical work as one wants.  Richard is very supportive without being patronizing, and he makes the training fun.  Richard has a lot to offer - he has a special interest in ENT, Ophthalmology, minor surgery, family planning (including coils and implants).  I feel very fortunate that he was my trainer - he taught me lots of useful skills (ear microsuction, minor surgery, joint injections) and helped me to become a confident GP.  Thanks to Richard's encouragement, I passed DRCOG, MRCGP and completed DFFP.  In fact, all of Richard's Registrars passed MRCGP without any problems!  I joined the practice as a full-time partner after my training.  Our practice has a unique situation - Richard Williams used to be a trainer to four out of our five partners.  I think it is the best recommendation - we all want to work with Richard!!!! (Marina Nassim - GPR Feb 2007 - Feb 2008)

"Choosing your trainer and GP practice can be very daunting.  Will you get on?  Will personalities clash?  Will they expect too much?  What support is there?  These were all my worries along with several others.  I know I would need support and I was truly fortunate to have Richard Williams as my trainer.  Right from the start he protects you and is always there by your side helping you, guiding you and supporting you in your role as a GPR.  He would often challenge me but he would always be full of praise and he's prone to telling a few jokes too!!  It is through his support that I managed to successfully complete my MRCGP and my DFFP (plus LoC in coils and implants).  The practice itself is purpose built and the registrar couldn't ask for more.  You have your own room, which is right next to Richard when you need him.  The staff and nurses are all used to GPRs and welcome you too.  You will truly come to feel like on of the team.  Lucky for me I got to stay on and become a full time partner, and Richard prepared me for my role well.  He truly is a star trainer in my eyes!!" - Dr Michelle Groves (GPR from August 2005 - July 2006)

"Dr Williams is a natural when it comes to being a GP trainer.  I was a hospital doctor for years and was nervous about the transition into general practice.  Having such a good trainer made the experience painless and smooth.  He has an uncanny ability to pick out of the shortcomings in his registrars and helps them work through them.  He give good feedback, he keeps abreast of all changes at the RCGP.  He goes out of his way for his registrars as he does for his patients.  I felt fully ready for taking up a GP principal job when I had finished training.  he is also an excellent doctor, I learnt so much from him and I feel fortunate to have been trained by him.  I feel his advice was invaluable during the MRCGP exams and it helped me take all 4 modules together and pass them.  yes and he has a fantastic sense of humour as well!"  Dr Jyothi Badrinath (GPR from August 2004 - July 2005)

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