2023-2024, F1, Scotland Foundation School (Tayside)
Starting FY
I found starting FY a terrible mix of excitement and trepidation. On the one hand I was excited to start working life and helping patients. But there was stress as it was a completely unknown place to me and I didn’t even get my rota till the week before!
NHS Tayside
The Doctor’s mess is a hub where there’s always someone to chat to or eat with. The two main hospitals in Tayside are Ninewells and Perth Royal Infirmary, about 40 minutes drive apart. Most FYs stay in Ninewells for the duration of their programme and within Dundee your commute will probably not exceed 15 minutes!
Celebrating the last day of FY1!
Space to learn
Ninewells is a tertiary hospital that is generally friendly and almost all specialties are represented. Doctors can get involved in all sorts of procedures and there is a lot of junior responsibility. It’s a great mix of ‘small enough that you know almost all the other FYs’ and ‘big enough that it’s tertiary’. I originally came to Dundee specifically because the FY programme had a rotation in ophthalmology, although this was removed from my group (E2) after I arrived. However I’ve still been able to work on projects and was supported to present work which won a prize at a national conference.
Me receiving my ‘Best Paper Award’ at SOC, Glasgow.
Opportunities to teach
All foundation doctors can apply for honorary clinical fellowship recognition with the University of Dundee. Apart from gaining access to eduroam and academic journals, I’ve been delighted that it allowed me to become involved in teaching medical students: from formal tutorials to bedside teaching, as well as being a Y3 supervisor and reviewing portfolios. The university also provides a helpful formal teacher-equipping curriculum.
Rotations
I ended up with quite a balanced FY programme: FY1: Stroke (including 1 month in AMU), Urology with General Surgery, ENT. FY2: GP (Broughty Ferry), GI, General Surgery (incl. SHDU). This provided a good mix of medicine with some specialist surgery which was perfect for exposure to procedures, theatre time and clinics!
Dundee itself
Dundee is an up-and-coming wee city! Living costs are relatively low (£350-£500 pcm per room in a flat, depending on the area) and it is one of the most EV-equipped cities in Europe. Dundee has great access to the outdoors (think walks in the Highlands and surfing on West Sands, St Andrew’s). The city is surrounded by a ‘green circular’ and on my GP placement I’ve enjoyed commuting along this! There are direct coaches to Glasgow and Edinburgh airports, and it is on the LNER rail route straight to London. If you’re visiting Dundee I’d highly recommend trying a Fisher & Donaldson Fudge Doughnut!
Dundee Green Circular, part of my electric bike commute to Broughty Ferry GP.