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THE ARRAN GP RURAL FELLOWSHIP
100% success in supporting GPs into a career in Rural General Practice
The Isle of Arran has hosted a highly successful GP Rural Fellowship Programme since 2002. The Arran GP fellowship offers qualified GPs a period (currently one year) of supported training in rural practice. The post is well suited to newly qualified GPs but it can offer more experienced GPs a pathway in remote and rural practice.
The success of the scheme in supporting GPs in developing a career in rural practice speaks for itself. Three GPs have completed the fellowship on Arran and they have all opted to stay and work on the Island afterwards. The current fellow, who was the first Arran GP Registrar, has also been successful in gaining a Salaried GP post here to follow on when her fellowship finishes in August 2007.
EXPERIENCE ISLAND PRACTICE AND AN ACTIVE COMMUNITY HOSPITAL
The unique mix of care offered on Arran provides an excellent environment for training in rural practice. There is a highly active community hospital dealing with areas such as A&E, acute admissions, stabilisation and transfer of critically ill patients. The three practices on the island offer a broad mix. There is a great opportunity to experience the satisfaction of working in a small community and learn about areas dispensing, working in remote branch surgeries and the generalist skills needed on an Island. The links on the Arran Health Group (www.arranhealthgroup.co.uk) website provide more information.
FLEXIBILITY
The key to a successful Fellowship seems to lie in flexibility and adapting the fellowship to suit each GP. Each individual comes with different sets of skills and this means the focus of training is different for each. Fellows are encouraged to develop generalist skills (mostly gained through work in the practices and hospital) and to use the generous study leave to develop their interests. Areas of special interest of the previous fellows have included GP ultrasound, Minor Surgery, Sexual Health and the development of a Care of the Elderly Service on the Island. The last Fellow tooka three month sabbatical to study tropical medicine and plans to combine her future on Arran with regular spells in developing countries.
The scheme is co-ordinated and part funded by NHS Education Scotland (www.nes.scot.nhs.uk)and there are regular meetings with other Rural Fellows from different areas within Scotland. The fellow has a mentor on the Island and the support of the Rural Fellowship Coordinator to plan the best use of the post.
DUTIES AND RENUMERATION
In general Fellows work six or so sessions on average per week and take part in the Out of Hours rota with seven other GPs. Practically this means working eight sessions for a few weeks before taking a week or two to gain off island training. The proximity to the mainland (50mins by Ferry) and Glasgow (45mins from the ferry terminal) allows easy access to training.
Renumeration is on the same scale as GP Registrars, with a further payment to boost the Out of Hours component of the salary (over and above the usual 65% supplement).
All the previous Arran GP Fellows are happy to be contacted for advice or an informal chat – contact details below. We would welcome anyone who would like to make a visit and this can be accommodated at the weekends as well as during the week.
Dr Greg Hamill
GP Principal Shiskine Practice
T: 01770 860 247
Email: greg.hamill@aapct.scot.nhs.uk
Dr Graeme Thompson
GP Principal Lamlash Practice
T: 01770 600 516
Email: Graeme.thompson@aapct.scot.nhs.uk
Dr Laura Sills,
Arran GP Rural Fellow 2008-09. Phone 07966 382251.
Dr Faye Hamill
GP Principal Shiskine Practice
T: 01770 860 247
Email: faye.hamill@appct.scot.nhs.uk