Duncan Gordon

Name : Duncan Gordon
Employer : Royal Navy
University : University of Aberdeen
Subject : MB ChB
Graduated : 2002

After graduation I worked for a year as a PRHO at various hospitals and health centres. I then completed the new entry medical officers’ course at Fort Blockhouse in Hampshire, after which I trained as an officer at Britannia Royal Naval College in Devon. Joining the armed forces offered the opportunity to practise medicine in a number of exciting and varied environments, travel the world and serve my country.

Working in the Royal Navy

I’m currently working in the medical centre at the naval base in Portsmouth where my week typically involves similar work to a GP’s practice. Our practice population is very different from a civilian one and a lot of time is spent doing health screening and education medicals. We also carry out occupational medicals for other members of the armed forces such as air crew and traffic controllers. Working as a ship’s medical officer is similar to the shorebased equivalent. However, the practice population is far smaller so we spend a great deal of time in training to ensure we are ready to do the duties required of us. The environment we work in is hazardous – our sailors can work in varying temperatures, with dangerous equipment and there is always the risk of a fire on board. I have to be prepared for all potential accidents and injuries, and when they occur, it’s down to me alone to look after patients until we get to a place where they can receive specialised treatment.

The realities

It is a lot more challenging than people think – due to space constraints on board ship we are limited in the amount of medical equipment we can have in the sick bay and we are given a lot of responsibility. However, I have been to 16 new countries since joining up including Hong Kong and Sri Lanka, which is not something you would get to do in every career.