For the first time, NHS Orkney is to host the national undergraduate remote and rural medicine conference later this month.

The four-day event, organised by the University of Glasgow remote and rural medicine society (GURRMS), aims to “recognise, celebrate and encourage interest in remote and rural practice”, while “delegates get to experience all the charms of rural medicine and hear from inspiring speakers practicing remote medicine”.

NHS Orkney chief executive, Gerry O’Brien, commented: “This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase Orkney for the medical students from universities throughout Scotland and for them to witness remote and rural medicine. In the longer term we hope their experience at the conference will attract them to working in Orkney once qualified.”

Around 80 student delegates are expected to attend from the 21^st to the 24^th March.

Emma Watson, director of medical education for NHS Orkney added: “We are excited to have so many medical students from across Scotland who are interested in remote and rural work come to Orkney. It’s a great opportunity for them to see first-hand what we have to offer in terms of high-quality medical care in our general practices and in our hospital.

“They will also get to meet doctors working locally and have an opportunity to explore our unique culture and heritage.”

GURRMS co-presidents, Eloise Miller and Josie Bellhouse,  said the conference was taking place at a “very exciting time for islands healthcare”.

They added: “We look forward to exploring rural careers and everything else that life in Orkney has to offer.”