Rachel Lynskey, Garry Nixon, Mark Smith and Jeremy Webber are a like-minded group of Rural Hospital Doctors and General Practitioners who are competing in the GODZone 2014. Through this adventure they hope to raise awareness for rural medicine in New Zealand and highlight the fundamental role of exercise, teamwork and endeavour in improving the health of New Zealanders. › Continue reading…

When planning my elective I wanted to go somewhere that would really immerse me in rural health. During my research into various hospitals around the world I came across the Falkland Islands. I don’t think you can get much more rural than this place! › Continue reading…

Don’t worry if you haven’t put in as much training as you had hoped for the annual Pat Farry Trust Fun Run & Walk taking place on the Wellington Waterfront on March 15, 2014. Help will be on hand as the event will feature a pre-race warm up led by members of the New Zealand Defence Force. More than 100 rural medical professionals are expected to take part and so assistance will be close by for any muscular blow outs. › Continue reading…

The last day of my elective has come around all too quickly. By way of Heathrow, Singapore and Christchurch, in 36 hours I will be back in Invercargill ready to start the final nine months of my medical degree. I’m not usually an anxious flyer, but I recently watched a documentary on how Gibraltar is the fifth “most extreme” airport in the world, largely due to the wind conditions and the four-lane road crossing the runway. To my relief, the wind has restricted itself to a gentle breeze, which amidst blue skies and puffy clouds provides the perfect conclusion to my time in Gibraltar. › Continue reading…

While a waterfront location for a hospital must be rare, I think the location of St Bernard’s Hospital is unique. Towards the east, across the bay of Gibraltar lies Spain, while towards the south, across the strait of Gibraltar lies the African continent. On a clear day you can even see villages in Morocco.

Aside from marvelling about the hospital’s location, over the last two weeks I spent time in Orthopaedics, Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Both were important subjects for me to test my knowledge in as my exposure was limited to the GP clinic and the occasional consultant visiting Balclutha during the year I spent there as an RMIP student. › Continue reading…