The course is set within a Christian framework consistent with the beliefs and practice of the Christian Medical Fellowship (UK).

Educational Objectives

• To promote standards of excellence in holistic healthcare for those working in resource poor countries.
• To enable healthcare practitioners to explore new and current knowledge relating to clinical practice relevant to work in resource poor countries and to enhance their ability to share and teach these insights.
• To improve current clinical skills and develop new ones relevant to working in resource poor countries.
• To explore personal and professional issues, including making provision for CPD and to encourage personal growth, development and well being.
• To provide spiritual refreshment, encouragement and mutual support.

What specific skills/knowledge will participants acquire during the event?

• An increased knowledge of medicine (in its broadest sense) relevant to working in resource poor countries.
• Enhanced practical skills related to the many specialities covered on the course - especially during the Paediatric, Surgical and Obstetric workshops.
• An increased working knowledge of managerial and teaching skills.
• An increased awareness of the interrelation of culture and healthcare.

Teaching methods that will be used:

• Lectures
• Discussion Groups
• Problem based learning
• Case Studies
• Practical Workshops
• Demonstrations
• PLUS - the interaction of participants from different nations and cultures.

Contents:

Four strands are woven into the programme.

• The first week covers mainly Medical topics.
• While the second week is mainly Surgical.
• Spiritual refreshments is provided in the times of morning and evening prayer and mutual sharing.
• Issues related to Member Care are also explored during the programme.

The course is residential but designed to allow non-residents to attend for 'Specialist Days' (See overleaf). Participants are strongly advised to attend the whole course to optimise its benefit. Some sessions are occasionally run in parallel for nurses and other healthcare professionals.

For more details of the sort of programme provided, visit our website at www.healthserve.org/developing_health/programme/ and view the 2008 programme and details of speakers.

This does vary slightly from day to day

0745 - Morning prayers led by one of the participants or session leaders
0815 - Breakfast
0900 - Lecture sessions start
1300 - Lunch
1430 - Workshops or Lectures
1815 - Evening Meal
1945 - Sharing by participants about their work and other matters of interest
2100 - Biblical reflection and time of prayer
2145 - Nightcap

During the course there will be some specialist training days which are ideal for those with a particular interest who cannot attend the full course. These include:

• Paediatrics,
• HIV/AIDS,
• Obstetrics
• Surgical workshop
• Tropical medicine
• Trauma

Dates have yet to be confirmed.

This will take place on the middle Saturday of the course. The day is open to all healthcare professionals. It is primarily designed for those who are interested in serving God overseas and who are wondering how to take those first steps.

It is hoped that many of the participants at the course will stay over the middle weekend and attend. Their presence gives a wonderful opportunity to hear first hand accounts of both what it is like to be a missionary and to work overseas as well as to hear from overseas nationals.

Packed with seminars, a key note speaker, exhibition of mission agencies working in the healthcare field, and many other resources, this is an ideal opportunity to find out more about getting involved in global healthcare mission.

For those participants who stay on site over the weekend, we shall have access to many of the College amenities and will seek to organise other activities of general interest.

Oak Hill College, Chase Side, Southgate, London N14 4PS

Oak Hill has a superb campus set in 60 acres of parkland on the edge of the greenbelt, and yet only a tube-ride away from central London.

Every participant attending the course will receive a free copy of the latest CD-ROM which contains the lecturers notes, management protocols, pwerpoint presentations and many other resources. It has proved a very valuable teaching tool for those working in resource poor countries.

TALC (Teaching aids at low cost) have a bookstall at the course where you can order books and teaching aids which will be delivered to you before you leave Oak Hill.

Doctors
The course programme is usually accredited by the Royal College of Physicians (RCP UK) for the purpose of Continuing Medical Education (CME). For 2008 the RCP has awarded 58 CME credits for full attendance at the course and a max. of 6 points per day for those who attend for any part of the course.

General Practitioners, who practice in the UK, can apply locally for its recognition for PGEA.

A certificate of Attendance at the course is awarded which can be included in the UK doctors personal folder for the purpose of revalidation.

Nurses and Midwives
For those nurses on the active register, working overseas, course attendance has been recognised by the NMC for the requirement for PREP when accompanied by an appropriate journal reflecting on its relevance to practice. A leaflet on the regulations for remaining on, or returning to, the NMC active register is available on request.

Course Directors

• Peter Armon FRCOG - course organiser Overseas Support Secretary CMF
• Mary Hopper MSc PgDipEd DipCPC RGN RM RSCN RCNT Senior Lecturer, Oxford Brookes University
• John Knowles MBE MB ChB DTM&H
• Ian Spillman MRCP FRCPCH DA DTM&H DCH Consultant Paediatrician, Macclesfield DGH

Course Administrator

• Laura Risdale CMF Overseas PA

Course Hosts

• John and Heather Knowles

The course is free to mission partners working in less developed countries - subsidised by the CMF and the fact that our lecturers provide their services free of charge.

Oak Hill College, however, make a charge to cover the cost of board and lodging and the use of their amenities and we make a small charge to cover admin costs.

The costs for 2008 will be:

• For those in paid employment, attending the whole course - £575
• For those in paid employment, attending for one week only (Mon-Fri) - £295
• For UK and Irish nationals working full time with a UK or Irish based mission agency or in a voluntary capacity in a resource poor country, attending the whole course - £475
  
• For UK and Irish nationals working full time with a UK or Irish based mission agency or in a voluntary capacity in a resource poor country, attending for one week (Mon-Fri) - £250
• For graduates who are not in paid employment, undertaking full time studies and retirees will also only be charged the reduced rate of £475 for the whole course or £250 for one week.
  
• No participating spouses - £575
• Late booking fee - after 18th June (unless for a very good reason) an extra £20

CMF does not want any voluntary workers to be put off by lack of finance and may be able to offer a bursary, to those who are facing particular financial constraints. Please get in touch with us if this is a problem to you.

Specialist Day Visitors
There will be a charge of £125 per day for those working in paid employment, at the time of application, who wish to attend the individual specialist days listed in this brochure (or part of such a day). This includes the cost of midday and evening meals (whether taken or not). This charge will be reduced to £50 for graduates who are not in paid employment but undertaking full time studies and to retirees and mission partners on home leave in the UK. A free copy of the Developing Health CD-ROM is included in the price for the day visitors.

These and other 'Day visitors', who are in paid employment, and who want to attend for several consecutive days and thereby need to stay overnight, will be charged an additional £30 per night for bed and breakfast.

Children
Creche facilities are available at the college, but one or other parent will be expected to be involved in the supervision of their children. It may be possible to arrange a rota, sharing the care with other parents if all are agreeable to this suggestion. CMF is not able to undertake the legal responsibility for providing such a service.

Under 2 years are free

Over 2 but under 9 years, pay half price