Training
Feedback from an ST6 in South-East Scotland Deanery
Why take up higher specialist training in EM in Edinburgh?
Training in EM in Edinburgh provides a unique experience. Clinically, working at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh – one of the busiest adult Emergency Departments in the UK – gives unrivalled exposure to acute medical illness, minor injuries, major trauma and resuscitation. Working in Edinburgh has a strong emphasis on teamwork and you are encouraged to lead your own team of juniors, managing the shop floor, leading in the resus room - whilst always working as part of the wider EM team. There is excellent Consultant support at all times. I find these leadership and teamwork opportunities challenging, rewarding and great fun.
Edinburgh provides unique training opportunities. RSI, regional anaesthesia, procedural sedation, fracture reduction and invasive line insertion are all undertaken in the Emergency Department by EM doctors, with support from other specialties. Edinburgh has its own prehospital service – Medic One – with excellent collaboration and training opportunities with the Emergency Medical Retrieval Service and other UK Helicopter Emergency Medical Services. There are also very close ties to Intensive Care Medicine, Toxicology, Paediatrics, Acute Medicine and Medical Education and strong senior support for trainees to undertake training in any of these areas. Within the training region, placements at a District General Hospital (St John’s, Livingston) and a Paediatric tertiary referral centre (Royal Hospital for Sick Children) provide further great experience.
Edinburgh has a strong research portfolio and training in Edinburgh allows the opportunity to undertake projects from audit level through to PhD. Research is actively encouraged and there are particular academic interest groups in clinical trials, head injury, procedural sedation, sepsis and cardiac arrest, amongst others. I have been lucky enough to present original Edinburgh research at both national and international conferences.
Outside work Edinburgh provides easy access to a host of outdoor activities, including beaches (with great kite surfing), mountains and lakes, whilst still boasting one of the most culturally exciting cities in Europe. There are good travel connections to London and the rest of Europe via low-budget airlines. The team-feel is often continued out of work, with teams choosing to socialise together, making both work and play really fun.
Try it, you won’t be disappointed!
Richard Lyon - ST6 & Clinical Lecturer in Emergency Medicine
