Trainees on our rural track program get to meet together once a year for a 2 day conference, the venue rotating around our rural track centers. Catherine Brown, an ST4 trainee on Shetland writes about this years conference:-
This two-day event, which is held annually in different Rural Track
locations, was held here in Shetland this year. I was slightly apprehensive
ahead of it, as I had organised it!! Much to my relief, the event seemed to be
enjoyed by one and all. Fourteen trainees in total managed to attend. Before the
formal start on the Thursday morning, quite a few of us managed to gather for a
meal on the Wednesday evening. And a trip to one of our local pubs for some
traditional music.
Thursday morning arrived a few of us ventured into the North Sea for a
refreshing morning dip, joined by a few selkie (seal) friends. Needless to say,
it was a truly invigorating experience!!
We had a GPwSI theme for the workshop, covering obstetrics, paediatrics,
dermatology, women's health and voluntary work abroad. The talks were all given
by local GPs. One of our community nursing colleagues spoke to us about
healthcare on non-doctor islands, and the role of the intermediate care team. An
hour's tour of The Shetland Museum provided us all with a succinct (if compact!)
history of the islands, knowledge of the community and appreciation of what life
has been like here through the ages.
On the Thursday evening we attended our local GP and hospital consultant
educational evening, before thirty of us headed out for dinner. It was really
great to see a mix of trainees, GPs and hospital specialists mingling and
exchanging stories.
The following day we focussed on rural recruitment and retainment, and
video conferenced two of our colleagues in Oban who gave a presentation on their
OOPE in Uganda. We then visited our local coastguard station for a tour and talk
about what HM Coastguard does in the community here.
On the Friday evening, those of us remaining headed out to the South
Mainland Up Helly Aa Viking fire festival. A real spectacle! Not only is there a
torchlit procession, but then an evening of acts/ sketches and dancing in local
village halls across the region.
This was the first time that I had organised anything like this. It was a
big learning curve, and I am pleased that it seems to have been a worthwhile
event for those attending.
Here's to the next one!
Catherine
