WITHYBUSH Hospital’s latest international recruits say they are settling in to local life, thanks to a unique health board training scheme.

Eight doctors have now been employed by Hywel Dda University Health Board to support the junior doctor rota and maintain emergency and medical services at the hospital.

They have been provided with a two-year training scheme which mirrors many elements of the traditional core medical training (CMT) scheme for junior doctors in the UK, after Withybush was not allocated any CMTs in August of this year.

Among them is 27-year-old Yan Lynn Htoo, from Myanmar – formerly known as Burma - who is based in the Emergency and Urgent Care Centre.

He said: “In Myanmar there is quite a hierarchy where doctors delegate responsibility for things like investigations and bloods to other members of staff.

“Here the doctor keeps responsibility and that is of benefit as you are personally responsible and there is less likelihood of unnecessary delay or information being missed in translation.”

He added: “Patients have also been very nice and it has been a real insight to be based in the emergency department and see a full range of presentations from those with medical complaints, to those needing surgery, or young children with minor injuries.”

Dr Htoo undertook his medical training back in Myanmar and worked previously in Mandalay General Hospital in the specialist areas of medicine, surgery, paediatrics, and obstetrics and gynaecology.

“Although some healthcare is provided free of charge in Myanmar, for specialist investigations like CT scans you usually have to pay,” he said.

“Hopefully one day Myanmar will have a system similar to the NHS where healthcare is free at the point of delivery.”

Joining him is 27-year-old Azhar Hussain, from Pakistan.

Dr Hussain, who trained at Mayo Hospital in Lahore, is based primarily with the gastroenteritis team.

He said: “I am very grateful to Hywel Dda University Health Board for investing so robustly into this training scheme, which will give each of us invaluable portfolio experience over the two years.

“I don’t think any other hospital in the UK is doing this and I must say the whole experience – from the induction to the teaching and support with settling into the UK – has been excellent.”

Dr Hussain and his wife are settling well into the Haverfordwest area and have enjoyed seeing some of the local beauty spots and sites of interest.

Chief Executive Steve Moore recently met with Dr Htoo, Dr Hussain and others employed as part of the programme.

He said: “Last summer we were faced with a great challenge and we put huge effort into finding a solution that would work for our area. It has been great to hear first-hand how this training is benefiting these doctors, whilst also contributing to our ability to sustain healthcare services for our population.

“We don’t underestimate the ongoing challenges with recruitment in medical and nursing staff, but this scheme is part of what we are doing proactively to adapt to the environment in which we operate.”