Scottish Medical Training

The North of Scotland features a mix of vibrant towns and cities and stunning landscapes. Aberdeen, known as the ‘Granite City’ boasts a strong maritime heritage and thriving energy sector. It is well known for its beach and is surrounded by a number of thriving towns and villages in commutable distance.  Elgin is smaller, with great access to outdoor pursuits and is surrounded by beautiful natural scenery. Inverness, often referred to as the capital of the Highlands, is the gateway to Loch Ness and is a thriving small city with a rich history. It is worth noting that our Core Training Programme is rated consistently favourably in The GMC Annual Trainee Survey.

The North of Scotland offers an excellent range of training posts in core psychiatry. Trainees will have the opportunity to work in a variety of geographical areas, including urban, semi-rural, and rural settings. The majority of The North of Scotland Core Trainees will complete their three years of training in Aberdeen. Some Trainees may be placed in Inverness or Moray (Elgin) particularly if they express such a preference. Rural and semi-rural placements require a driving license and access to a car.

During their three years of Core Training, Trainees will undertake a minimum one-year placement (or 2 x six-month placements) in General Adult Psychiatry and a six-month placement in Old Age Psychiatry. Opportunities are also available to experience more specialized placements in, Forensic/IPCU, Psychotherapy, Rehab, Addictions, Eating Disorders, Liaison, Old Age Liaison, Learning Disability, Young Peoples, Child and Family and Perinatal Psychiatry. Trainees’ preferences of placements in the specialities are discussed with the Training Programme Director and every effort will be made to accommodate these requests. The majority of placements involve In-Patient, Outpatient, and Community-Based Services. Trainees will be expected to take part in the Out-of-Hours On-Call Rota, and will have the opportunity to carry out Para suicide and urgent referral assessments.

Core Trainees are allocated an Educational Supervisor, usually the same person for the duration of their care training. They are allocated a Psychiatric Supervisor in each of their placements, and will receive regular weekly supervision. The well-organized Postgraduate Training Programme consists of a protected Wednesday afternoon M.R.C.Psych. Course, and there are ample opportunities for Trainees to present at Journals Clubs and Case Conferences. In addition there are special all day study days. All Core Trainees will also be allocated a weekly Psychotherapy Supervision Group.

There are close links with The University of Aberdeen Medical School, which was highly rated in a recent Guardian survey.

Core trainees have a generous study leave budget and are actively encouraged to seek appropriate opportunities for training.

Trainees will have the opportunity to undertake Research and Audit projects, as well as involvement in University of Aberdeen Medical Student Undergraduate teaching opportunities.

Grampian (in Royal Cornhill Hospital, Aberdeen)

Moray (in Dr. Gray's Hospital, Elgin)

Highland (in New Craigs Hospital, Inverness)