Taunton

THE HOSPITAL

Musgrove Park Hospital (MPH) is a sizeable hospital located in the centre of the Taunton. The teaching at Taunton centres on cardiology, respiratory medicine, ENT and vascular. Aside from at the bedside, teaching occurs mainly within the academy, which has a well-equipped clinical skills lab and a decent library. The staff are usually very welcoming and eager to provide outstanding teaching. The medical assessment unit is an excellent place to gain on-take experience and practise clinical skills.

GETTING TO TAUNTON

Driving: most people drive and car share – it’s straight down the M5. Generally it’s best to leave about an hour to get there, longer if you’re leaving in the morning due to traffic.
Train: there is a train station in the middle of Taunton – there is a regular service between Bristol and Taunton. The station is close to the hospital but a little further to the accommodation (40 min walk – but some students often shared a taxi back).

ACCOMMODATION

All 3rd and 4th years are placed at Canonsgrove Halls of Residence – 3 miles from centre of Taunton. 5th years are placed in flats on-site at Musgrove Hospital.

CANONSGROVE:

The accommodation is something of a mixed blessing. Situated about 3 miles from the hospital, Canonsgrove is shared with Somerset College of Arts and Technology (SCAT) students.
Rooms have a single bed, desk, shelves, bedside table. All are en-suite (watch the showers, the water goes everywhere!). You’re usually provided with a duvet and pillow – but you need to take sheets. The rooms are pretty similar to Durdham Hall…
Kitchen – shared kitchens have an oven, hobs, microwave, kettle, fridge/freezer combo. Good idea to take your own pots/pans/cutlery/plates etc. – limited utensils available.
There is always an on-site warden if any problems

FACILITIES AT CANONSGROVE:

Communal areas: There is a small bar with a TV and sofas, as well as sports hall, outside football pitch and BBQ area
Parking: allocated spaces in the back car park – ask admin team for parking permit. Takes about 20-25 mins to drive to hospital.
Bikes: there are bike racks available – takes 15mins to hospital.
Supermarkets: Most people tend to go to Tesco as it’s really near the hospital – you can’t miss it! Otherwise, if you need bits and pieces, you can always go to the Trull shop which is on the left on the way back to the halls (on Honiton Road- the long road that takes you back to halls)…they sell really nice home made cakes in there!
Pubs: there’s a number of good pubs around the area in walking distance.
Local sport clubs: students in the past have joined local sports teams during their placement.
Gyms: Anytime Fitness Gym near the hospital does good student/NHS discount

GETTING TO MUSGROVE HOSPITAL FROM CANONSGROVE

Walking: Takes around 40-45mins….
Cycling: Best option as there are no hills. The academy provides well-maintained bikes with helmets, contingent upon a £50 deposit, for those eco/ fitness minded amongst you. There are also lockers and showers in the academy.
Bus: Takes about 15mins and costs £2 return which you can claim however not very regular times.
Driving: in the past, students have been able to get parking permits from the hospital (you can claim back) but do ask the admin staff if this is still being implemented (One time there was a shortage of spaces for all hospital staff so students couldn’t have any permits – you had to drive to a nearby Park and ride which was fully refunded but a bit of an inconvenience)

(You can claim back travel expenses: ask admin staff for more info).

TAUNTON ITSELF

The halls are located just under three miles outside of Taunton…so if you want to get into town it’s best to cycle, drive or take a bus. There are loads of great shops – including all the usual high street stuff and sometimes farmers markets. There are plenty of places to eat out such as Pizza Express and a Wetherspoons – some aren’t the cheapest of places. The Old Library is pretty nice too. If you fancy a big ‘un, the biggest club in Taunton is called Shout! (on east Street) or Fever has been said to be pretty fun. Mecca Bingo is also in the centre – medical students have been found there. The nearest cinema is the Odeon, near the M5 junction 25, where you will also find bowling.

STUDENT VIEWS

“The admin staff are so friendly and really helpful!”

“The academy is excellent and doctors on the wards were keen to teach and get students involved in the day-to-day running of the ward.”