New opportunities in region for future medics

THE next generation of South of Scotland doctors will be able to learn closer to home following a partnership agreement.

A learning base is to be set up at the Crichton campus in Dumfries, using the University of the West of Scotland’s (UWS) clinical skills facility there.

And the 17 local students on the ScotGEM graduate medical programme will be known as the ‘Crichton Cohort’.

It’s also hoped there will be broader access for UWS students to participate in ScotGEM through the development of new pathways.

The ScotGEM scheme is designed to develop doctors interested in a career as a generalist practitioner within NHS Scotland, with an emphasis on rural needs.

Officials from the University of the West of Scotland, University of Dundee and University of St Andrews signed up to the new deal in Dumfries last Friday, pictured above.

UWS Professor James Miller said: “Bringing a scheme like this to Dumfries and Galloway is only possible due to the investment we have made into our state-of-the-art clinical skills facilities.

“We are excited for the new Crichton Cohort and all that they will contribute.”

Professor Dame Sally Mapstone, of University of St Andrews, described it as “a really good example of how Scottish universities can work so well together”, while Professor Nigel Seaton, at University of Dundee said: “We are delighted to commit to this partnership and to bring Dundee expertise to bear on efforts to allow graduates to train as doctors and to address the particular need for GPs in rural areas.”

Dr Sara Proudfoot, is the associate director of medical education ScotGEM for NHS Dumfries and Galloway. She said: “This collaboration strengthens local opportunities for healthcare education and opens up exciting possibilities for more people to enter the ScotGEM programme, which trains doctors with a focus on general practice and meeting the needs of rural communities.”