NHS Western Isles’ General Medicine Department receives commendation for an ‘excellent educational experience’ 

The educational experience provided by the General Medicine Department at the Western Isles Hospital has been Highlighted for Excellence by the University of Aberdeen. 

The programme gained positive feedback in relation to providing relevant knowledge for Foundation Year 1 (FY1) doctors and looking out for students in the Western Isles.  

Neil Maclean, Director of Medical Education and Consultant Obstetrics and Gynaecology, NHS Western Isles, said: “The medical educational programme is coordinated by Caroline Ross and delivered by Undergraduate Lead, Dr Mhairi Murdoch; Consultant Physician, Dr Aristeidis Apostolopoulos; the Clinical Support Nurse (CSN) team; the simulation team; the junior medical staff; and various locums, who support not just clinical service, but crucially, medical education at the Western Isles Hospital in Stornoway. 

“This accolade has been recognised at national level by the Undergraduate Quality Review Panel (QRP) at NHS Education for Scotland, whose congratulations and thanks are offered to the local team for their efforts and success in supporting the next generation of doctors.” 

Each year all the Medical Student feedback relating to the clinical placements for all of the medical programmes delivered by Scottish Medical Schools. The feedback is then reviewed at the national Undergraduate Quality Review Panel (QRP).  

Representatives from each of the Medical Programmes join representatives from NES and the DME group to review this feedback from many hundreds of placements. Challenges and success are shared across the group and where there is excellent practice, this is highlighted.  

NHS Western Isles Medical Director, Dr Frank McAuley, said: “I’d like to offer my congratulations to our local team for this very well deserved recognition. A high quality educational experience is a fundamental part of our health service, and also demonstrates the calibre of experience and service provided here in the Western Isles, and why it’s such a great place to work. Well done and thank you to everyone involved.”