Foreword
Executive Medical Director, NHS Education for Scotland
Welcome to the first edition of your Deanery newsletter for 2023.
The days are beginning to stretch out and we can all look forward to spring.
Pressures across all areas are beginning to ease, but it is still a hugely busy time for all and I thank you for the hard work and your commitment to patients and to your teams.
It is important to remember your commitment to yourself – breaks and time off are important, recharging your own batteries is as important as the care you give to others.
Diary dates for 2023 - 27th & 28Th of April the next NES Conference. The themes are Collaborating for Improvement in Health and Care Education Delivery.
This month we are highlighting a key role in medical training – the Director of Medical Education. Within Scotland, each of the 14 territorial Health Boards has a Director of Medical Education (DME) who is employed by the Health Board and is responsible for strategic oversight of the delivery of high quality undergraduate and postgraduate education and training. The DMEs are there to help and contact details are provided in the article. Did you know who your DME was and that you could contact them for support?
Also included in this edition is an article on the Scottish Shape of Training Transition Group. The group addresses medical workforce modelling, sets training intake numbers, monitors the training establishment and recruitment and retention of doctors. The article discusses this and the other major responsibilities of this key group. It would be great to get feedback on this and if you would like more information like this in the future. The feedback link is here: Deanery Newsletter Feedback 1
A potentially very useful article is next on how the NHS Credit Union could help you with your finances. Please take a look.
Our next article discusses a new and exciting initiative. Practising medicine in rural and remote areas is challenging. Compared to their urban counterparts, doctors practising in these locations may be described as ‘extended generalists’. The article gives information on a new credential in Rural and Remote Health. This credential will help to address the service and patient safety need for doctors working in rural and remote settings. Most of Scotland’s Health Boards serve remote and rural populations, have you worked or learned in a remote or rural area? What surprised you the most? Please feedback here: Deanery Newsletter Feedback 2
Finally, there is an update on General Practice Nursing who provide key roles in primary care and work alongside our doctors and trainees across Scotland. NHS Education for Scotland (NES) General Practice Nursing (GPN) Team, within the Medical Directorate, is privileged to engage with over 1500 GPNs across Scotland. The GPN team Providing the most current, evidence based, person-centred education for them to access and there is an update on current activities in the article.
Remember to keep submitting articles or suggestions for content, take care and take breaks.
Emma
Executive Medical Director, NHS Education for Scotland