Wednesday 1 June 2016

The Countdown to General Practice


It’s a bit of a cliché! I have often heard ST2s speak about their countdown to leaving hospital medicine and setting up camp in general practice for the long haul of ST3 year. I didn’t think I would be one of those ST2s!

I have now left the world of Acute Medicine and Respiratory Medicine at Raigmore, which was both busy and hugely challenging but also a great learning experience, and have joined the less hectic life of a junior psychiatrist! I am working at New Craigs Hospital, the psychiatric hospital for the highlands. The pace is somewhat leisurely in comparison to the main hospital and this actually takes some getting used too! So far, there have been success stories, long term patients and many challenging encounters, all of which sets me up for life as an ST3 in practice.

Family life is going along well. We have recently been to the beach on the Black Isle...yes the BEACH, in the HIGHLANDS! It was a cracking day and a nice wee cheeky ice cream while the child splashed about! I have also officially joined a local road cycling club and have been putting in the miles in preparation for Ride the North...now that’s going to hurt! The areas and scenery you see while cycling with a group of people who are native to the area is wonderful. No matter what the weather, there is always something to see up here!

I have just over 2 months to go until I am back in general practice for good, and I can’t wait!