End of an Era......

Last week we said goodbye to the STs on the Grampian Educational GPST Programme on their final day of group work. The STs were joined by their group leaders for a final feedback session - with obligatory cakes!!

The feedback from our GPSTs is hugely important to us and the time taken to complete the feedback is very much appreciated. The feedback will be used to develop and strengthen the Grampian GPST education programme.

Our plan is to publish the results of the feedback on the blog (watch this space!!!), on Moodle (the North Region Training forum) and on visual displays here at NES in Forest Grove House in Aberdeen.

We'd like to wish the ST3s all the very best as they embark on their future careers in General Practice and look forward to welcoming back the ST1s when they return to practice in a years time.

Dr Graeme Brown and Dr Jenny Craig (Associate Advisors, NES)

By Royal Approval.....

If it was good enough for Queen Victoria.........

The fantastic weather continued on Sunday, an opportunity for a beautiful walk round Loch Muick, located 8 miles South West of Ballater in Aberdeenshire, the Loch is part of the Balmoral Estate.

It is also found at the foot of Lochnagar, one of Scotland’s finest mountains. The area has many walking routes and a variety of wildlife including grouse and deer.

A cool down with an ice cream, the perfect end to a gorgeous sunny Aberdeenshire weekend.

https://www.visitscotland.com/info/see-do/loch-muick-p254641#

Super Sunny Cycling Saturday

Amazing weather in Aberdeenshire this weekend...22 degrees and beautiful blue sky, perfect for a wee cycle along the Deeside Way.

The Deeside Way runs from near the centre of Aberdeen, oil capital of Europe, to Ballater, in the Cairngorms National Park, famous for it’s Victorian Heritage and links to Balmoral Castle.

The path is suitable for walkers and cyclists and is Route 195 of the National Cycle Network.

The route follows the line of the Old Royal Deeside Railway from Aberdeen to Banchory, through woodland and farmland to Kincardine O’Neil and then re-joins the old line from Aboyne to Ballater, total distance 41 miles.

Along the way there are many opportunities to see remains of the old railway infrastructure as well as stunning views over the River Dee with the Cairngorm Mountains as a backdrop.

The Deeside Way offers the opportunity to explore a beautiful area of Aberdeenshire with its changing landscape from sea to mountains.

 Information from: http://www.deesideway.org/

Scottish Traditional Boat Festival @ Portsoy - 24th & 25th June 2017

Packed with brilliant moments, the Scottish Traditional Boat Festival engages the local region, bringing together boats, music, crafts, food and drink to celebrate the region’s rich cultural heritage.

Cheer on the crews as the take part in competitive racing and sailing on the opens seas, enthralling the crowds gathered by the harbourside who watch on in excited anticipation.

Breathe in the aromas of fresh cooked fish, meats and other fine foods, which may prove too much to resists as you wander through the Festival drinking in the atmosphere and the many activities and melodies around you.

Watch skilled traditional craftsmen and women carve, weave, knit and sculpt wonderful creations, many of which you can take home as a reminder of the wonder of Portsoy and its authentic charm.

With up to 16,000 people descending upon Portsoy over Festival weekend, be sure to come along and join the celebrations.

https://stbfportsoy.org/

GPST Finishing School

Today we welcomed Louise Peters from Johnston Carmichael Chartered Accountants to GPST Group Work as part of our 'Finishing School' programme.

Louise, a Business Advisory Partner with Johnston Carmichael since 2004, has specialist expertise in the medical and healthcare sector. Louise was recently nominated as the AISMA (Association of Independent Specialist Medical Accountants) member for the firm of which there are only a small number of members in the North East of Scotland.

She gave a presentation to the trainees covering a variety of aspects of accounting and finance from becoming a partner, being self employed and working as a locum. She even brought along some colour co-ordinated Jelly Beans!

Career Start Appointments

 

We held the Career Start interviews last week and appointed 5 GP trainees who are about to finish their training.

Career Start is an exciting, innovative salaried post funded by NHS Grampian for newly qualified GPs. It allows a recently qualified GP to work in general practice for part of the week and also gives an opportunity to work in a specialty for 1 day a week. Our 5 newly appointed Career Starts will work in Old Age Psychiatry, Adult psychiatry, Undergrad teaching, Old Age Medicine and Medical Education. Each will work in a local GP practice. This post allows these young doctors to develop into a GPwSI- GP with a specialist interest, as well as developing their GP skills to become a more confident GP. 

These posts will be advertised again in November this year for a Feb 18 start.

 

Dr Vicki Guthrie, TPD, Grampian Programme