Testimonials

Carla

As an Australian who moved to Ireland in 2020 and then received an offer to do an internship in the West-North-West Network I had no idea what to expect. It was one of the best experiences I’ve been lucky enough to have during my time in Ireland. The staff at Mayo University Hospital welcomed us as new interns so warmly, tried their best to make our first few weeks less overwhelming, and the community feel at Mayo University Hospital was what made working there a unique experience that I will treasure. A small intern group of just 14, we immediately bonded over the challenges and triumphs our first months of intern year brought. We quickly also made friends with the other NCHDs in the hospital, and there were many regular social events, including nights at the local pub, the Mayo Christmas Ball, surfing trips to the many magical Mayo beaches, and heading out to brunch after night shifts. The hands-on practical experience we received at Mayo University Hospital was one of the highlights of my year, attending arrest calls in the emergency department and being closely involved with senior doctors caring for sick patients. Then we were off to Galway to complete the second half of our Intern year. We soon had 60 new interns to meet and experience living in Galway City with. With a bigger hospital came many new experiences that I loved - scrubbing into surgery, new coffee shop and lunch options, having three other interns to share working nights with, and meeting and making many new friends for life. I commenced my rotations on urology, where I worked in a close team with four other interns. My second rotation in University Hospital Galway on general surgery was a great way to finish off my intern year, working with nine other interns. I loved this rotation, and received the best surgical teaching I’ve had in Ireland thus far. I would highly recommend the West-North-West Intern Programme as a year that is full of unique learning experiences, meeting friends you will have for life, experiencing different clinical environments with different patient populations, and some challenging hands-on experiences that shape you to become a better clinician.

Sibéal

My first 6 months in the West-North-West Intern Programme were spent in Sligo University Hospital and the next 6 months in University Hospital Galway. In Sligo University Hospital is a peripheral hospital, the senior doctors have time to teach and are eager to do so. The majority of procedural skills I performed for the first time were guided by a Senior House Officer or registrar, which built my confidence enormously, knowing I could execute them and execute them safely. I had the opportunity to perform supervised skills often reserved for Senior House Officers, such as stitching and lumbar punctures. For budding surgeons, you can be almost guaranteed time in theatre or in minor-ops if you’re interested. You have a lot of autonomy when on-call as you’ll be the only doctor on the wards, but the NCHD community is close-knit, and it’s easy to text the registrar on-call for advice. The cohort of interns is also small, and you’ll become close quickly. In University Hospital Galway there is a number of interns on call together, which can lighten the load of stressful situations and you’ll always have somebody to bounce your ideas off. In both Sligo and Galway, the tutors attached to Medical School are more than happy to facilitate interns to teach medical students, which is needed when applying for schemes in the future. Relocating teaches you to work well in unfamiliar environments and to adapt to new systems quickly, skills you’ll need for the rest of your career. I feel exceptionally lucky to have worked in both hospitals.

Thomas

The West-North-West Intern programme is an amazing place to develop as a junior doctor. There is an excellent teaching programme where consultants spend an hour leading clinically focused teaching sessions at least twice per week. This covers a comprehensive range of topics, and interns are encouraged to take an active role in directing and driving these teaching sessions based on what they feel would help them the most. In the West-North-West Intern Programme there is a strong ethos of mentorship. Working with senior clinicians who take a personal role in supporting interns is a great opportunity to build firm foundations for a successful clinical career. There is a strong emphasis on research, and interns have many opportunities to do projects ranging from simple audits to complex research projects with their senior colleagues. One of the great features of the West-North-West Intern Network is the diverse range of experiences interns can obtain. Each of the peripheral hospitals offers a unique insight into facilities in different parts of Ireland. Then, in University Hospital Galway, interns are working in a busy and highly specialised tertiary care unit. The highlight of this network though, is the amazing people you work with. The sense of community and solidarity among the staff in each hospital is palpable and inspiring.

Alex

As a graduate of the University of Galway, choosing the West-North-West Intern Training Programme was an easy decision. Not only was I familiar with the various training sites, but I was also drawn to the programme’s outstanding support network and dynamic learning environment. From day one, I experienced the incredibly friendly and supportive atmosphere within the hospitals. Whether it was University Hospital Galway or one of the other sites in the West-North-West group, there was always a sense of camaraderie among staff, making the transition from medical school to clinical practice so much smoother. Outside of work, the convenience of each hospital’s location - never far from a city or town centre - helped maintain a balanced lifestyle. One of the programme’s biggest strengths is its West-North-West Intern Training Team, who are genuinely invested in our success. They are approachable, communicate personally with interns, and are always ready to listen and address any concerns. Another huge advantage of training here is the strong academic focus. There are countless opportunities to get involved in research, audits, working groups, and medical education, allowing interns to develop skills that will benefit them long after their training year. I was fortunate to work as an academic track intern at University Hospital Galway for 12 months, during which I also served as intern lead (similar to class rep). This role gave me the chance to work closely with the intern coordination team, seeing firsthand just how dedicated they are to ensuring interns feel supported and heard. My time here has been incredibly rewarding - I’ve participated in multiple research projects, contributed to undergraduate curriculum reform, and had the chance to teach and collaborate with various working groups. For anyone considering where to complete their internship, I couldn’t recommend the West-North-West Intern Training Programme more. It provides an excellent foundation for both professional and academic growth in an environment where you feel valued, supported, and encouraged to thrive.

Omar

As an international medical graduate, I was truly delighted to join the West-North-West Internship Programme at University Hospital Galway. This experience was an incredible opportunity that significantly enhanced my clinical training and professional growth. From day one, the programme demonstrated its commitment to excellence. All interns - both local and international - were welcomed with a structured induction period, designed to prepare us for the various clinical scenarios we might face. This induction ensured that we had necessary skills before stepping into our roles, which was an invaluable privilege and a testament to the program’s dedication to high-quality training. Following this, we were introduced to a shadowing week, where we worked alongside current interns to familiarise ourselves with the responsibilities, workflows, and expectations of the role. This transition period was instrumental in boosting our confidence before officially starting our rotations. From my first rotation, I immediately felt the impact of the supportive learning environment. The level of teaching provided was outstanding, with structured protected teaching time three times a week, journal club meetings, and regular discussions with senior registrars, covering key topics. The consultants were phenomenal, providing not just clinical guidance but also mentorship. I had the privilege of learning from a humble, supportive, and inspiring mentor in my consultant supervisor, whose dedication to teaching and patient care was truly remarkable. Beyond clinical exposure, the programme actively involved us in workshops aimed at enhancing our clinical skills, interview preparation for future career opportunities, and hands-on training for essential ward procedures. The West-North-West Intern Training Network Team played an essential role in ensuring the best possible experience, frequently checking in with us and even conducting surveys to tailor the curriculum to our needs. The West-North-West Intern Training Network Team consistently reached out to ensure our training needs were met, reinforcing a strong sense of community and guidance throughout the internship. Even after moving to a peripheral hospital for my subsequent rotations, I never felt isolated. I am incredibly grateful for the rich learning experience, clinical exposure, and exceptional teaching opportunities I received during this program. It has been immensely rewarding.