Having done very little travel, I was amazed to find out that culture shock is not the myth I believed it to be. No amount of planning or research could have prepared me for just how out of depth I would feel when I arrived here in Vanuatu. Most everything I’ve seen and heard since I got here has been so different to my version of ‘the norm’ that I couldn’t help but miss home like crazy at first. Thankfully, after a week of sunshine and friendly locals, I feel more at home here and am looking forward to the next five weeks. › Continue reading…

As I write and re-write this blog, I don’t know where to start! I have experienced and learnt so much already it is hard to choose ‘the best bits’ to avoid writing a novel of what I have seen and done so far. › Continue reading…

Natalie Irving and Laura Hammersley, sixth year medical students at the University of Otago Faculty of Medicine, have been announced as the 2014/2015 recipients of the Pat Farry Rural Health Education Trust Travelling Scholarship by Sue Farry on behalf of the Pat Farry Rural Health Education Trust’s trustees. The scholarships are worth a total of $7,000 and will assist the students with costs associated with undertaking trainee intern electives in innovative and challenging overseas situations over the next four months. Natalie Irving, from Fielding, will travel to Nepal and Kenya while Laura Hammersley, from Darfield, will travel to Vanuatu. › Continue reading…

For the third successive year, the Pat Farry Rural Health Education Trust is offering an undergraduate scholarship to fund up to two sixth year medical students’ trainee intern elective in innovative and challenging overseas situations.

“Since 2011, 15 medical students have benefitted from the Pat Farry Rural Health Education Trust’s scholarship programme. The latest scholarships will bring the total amount awarded by the Trust in scholarships and grants since 2011 to more than $50,000,” said Mr John Farry, Pat Farry Rural Health Education Trust Chairman. › Continue reading…

Looking out on crisp white snow blanketing the Remarkables, set against a cerulean blue sky, we are truly experiencing winter in Queenstown after a few false starts. We’re taking a moment to catch our breath and celebrate our successes after a very busy summer and autumn fundraising and living virtual adventures through our scholarship recipients’ blogs. › Continue reading…

I spent my last week at Kanti with one of three surgical teams. The week started with outpatient clinic. This is a rather chaotic morning where the doctors sit at one long desk and the patients all pile into the room and queue to be seen. Once again, there is no such thing as patient confidentiality. Everyone peers over each other’s shoulders as each child is undressed and examined right there at the consult desk. However this is the norm in Nepal and even if I am slightly taken aback by this approach the patients and families (and doctors) are not at all worried, as this is how it has always been. I guess one benefit is that numerous people are educated at once, as a result of discussing a condition with one patient while everyone else listens in! › Continue reading…

There have been many firsts for me on this trip. One noticeable first was that I wasn’t in New Zealand for ANZAC Day this year. Usually I would be up out of bed in the dark, wrapped up in my puffer jacket at the chilly Dawn Service in Dunedin or Christchurch. This year found me at the Australian Embassy here in Kathmandu wearing short sleeves, a skirt and sandals in the blazing sun. There was a great turn out for the commemoration although I was one of only a handful of kiwis. › Continue reading…

One question every doctor will have been asked numerous times throughout their training and career is “why did you want to become a doctor?” For the first time I asked myself this question the other day after talking to a young soldier, sitting in the ED waiting area watching the news as the New York apartment explosions unfolded.

I stopped to see what was happening on my way past. As we chatted about what we thought was the cause of the explosions was we posed the question of what we would do if we found ourselves in a situation like that. I said that I would like to think I would be able to help out in someway – help get people out or assist medically. He said in response, “I don’t know what I would do, my job is to kill people not save them.” › Continue reading…

Despite predictions of disruption by Cyclone Luci, Saturday (15 March) morning dawned fine and calm in Wellington for the annual Pat Farry Trust Fun Run & Walk. Supporters numbering 150 ran, walked and talked around the waterfront course to support the Queenstown based national trust. For the third year, the Fun Run & Walk was held in association with the New Zealand Rural General Practice Network’s (NZRGPN) annual conference. Conference attendees, many colleagues and peers of the late Dr Pat Farry, were joined by Wellingtonians raising money for and awareness of the Trust’s work. › Continue reading…

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. They are also raising money for the Pat Farry Trust.

Follow our vigil as we track the team on this epic expedition… › Continue reading…