’Oh I do like to be
beside the seaside’’
It was after squeezing
into another packed London tube on a Friday evening that I saw the email ping
into my mobile phone. ‘Cumbrian and North Yorkshire GP Trainee Fellowships for
ST3s.’ The opportunity to transfer your training for 4-6 months in one of the
most beautiful parts of the UK, a quick google of Saltburn- by –the- Sea and I
was instantly sold.
I transferred my
training from ( Imperial GP Speciality Training Scheme- Marylebone Health
Centre) to ( Durham and Tees Valley VTS- Huntcliff Surgery, Saltburn) in April,
and have loved every minute.
My Practice Huntcliff
surgery was a stone’s throw from the beach, and a short drive to the breath
taking North Yorkshire Moors.
Work life balance is
emphasised by the practice and I have been able to find time to join a running
club, Tai Chi and walk every day. I’m cycling to home visits and enjoying a
much more outdoor lifestyle.
I’m also really enjoying
working in a close knit community; it’s not unusual to bump into my patients in
the bank, or supermarket. Observing how my trainers interact with their
patients around the town, I have learnt to love working in a small place where
everyone knows you and you may well be a friend as well as a doctor.
But it isn’t all ‘’lemon
tops’’ and ‘’Parmo’s’’ on the beach- working in a North East semi-rural setting
has provided me with different challenges and experiences. I see
more minor injuries (the practice is several miles away from an A and E department)
and unfortunately downturn in local heavy industry has also meant that I see my
fair share of stress related problems and social consequences of
unemployment.
Overall, I absolutely
love life as a rural GP- and would definitely consider it in the future! I
would encourage all London GP Trainees to think about applying for the
fellowship and see what amazing opportunities it can bring!
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