Rural Grand Rounds

Background: What and Why 

The rural grand rounds were established after a discussion between a couple of rural doctors who felt it would be helpful to share learning and interesting cases between the rural general hospitals.  The first meeting was hosted by Caithness General in March 2021.  Since then the role of the host site has rotated through the following hospitals:  

• Balfour in Orkney
• Gilbert Bain in Shetland
• Belford in Fort William
• Lorn and Isles hospital in Oban
• Western Isles Hospital
• MacKinnon Memorial Hospital in Skye and Galloway community hospital.   

There have also been sessions hosted by rural GPs and the Emergency Medical Retrieval service.  

The topics covered are usually clinical cases with interesting learning points including atypical presentations of pathology, major trauma in rural environments and the challenges of transferring sick patients. 

Over the last 2 years the rural grand rounds have received support from the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh who have provided speakers on topics such as hyponatraemia as well as an update on rural medicine in Iceland.  

Description: Who and How 

The rural grand rounds now form a component of the regular teaching schedule for several of the participating rural hospitals enabling the transfer of knowledge between sites and providing resilience to the teaching programme for resident doctors.   

Building on the success of the rural grand rounds these online events will now be run by the Rural and Remote Credential Team who are part of the National Centre for Remote and Rural Health from November 2024.  By NES taking over the coordination of the grand rounds it will allow for these sessions to continue to grow and develop and enable the learning and exchange of knowledge between the rural clinicians of Scotland. 

Dr Pauline Wilson, Associate Postgraduate Dean Rural and Remote Credential, NES said: 

“The rural grand rounds provide a chance to network with other remote and rural colleagues and share medical knowledge and best practices tailored to the unique challenges of rural healthcare. Additionally, it fosters a sense of community and collaboration among rural healthcare professionals, enhancing support and resource-sharing to improve patient outcomes”. 

To find out more and how to register for a session please visit Rural Grand Rounds | Turas | Learn or email nes.ruralremotecredential@nhs.scot