ESNEFT biomedical scientist Rob Hall has reflected on a recent, dream trip to the
Falkland Islands where he worked in the only hospital on the archipelago.
The 58–year–old, who is based in the Trust’s microbiology unit on Turner Road, in
Colchester, took an ESNEFT–approved career break to hone his trade a mere 8,000
miles away in the South Atlantic Ocean.
Rob Hall
During his two–month stint Rob, who has a daughter Emma with his wife Christine,
worked as a locum biomedical scientist at the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital in
Stanley, as one of just three pathology staff members.
Rob, who has worked at the Trust for 27 years, said: “I was largely doing the same
job that I do as a team of 20 in Colchester, but as a one–man band.
“One of the roles I have is to screen for Hospital Acquired Infections such as MRSA
and while we might screen in excess of 400 samples a day in Colchester, you
might get six in the Falklands.
“I was hardly twiddling my thumbs though and everything we do as a team at
ESNEFT I was doing on my own. Such things as looking for evidence of infection in
enteric, genital and systemic scenarios, as well as sepsis and diarrhoea.
Some of the local wildlife captured on camera by Rob.
“There’s a population of about 3,500 people on the Island, one–third of whom are
temporary workers, including people in specialist positions such as doctors and
dentists.
“We also took referrals from outlying islands such as South Georgia and Antarctica
but any complex cases were transferred to a hospital in Santiago, Chile.”
Rob’s journey began with a flight from RAF Brize Norton on Oxfordshire and ended
19 hours later at Mount Pleasant, via a stop on Ascension Island.
Rob said: “Travelling 8,000 miles you might expect some exotic, foreign land, but it
was like the Scottish highlands and islands during winter.
“They drive on the left, English is the national language, and the currency is
pounds and pence, although many things are quite expensive, owing to the
majority of items being shipped in from overseas.
“Everyone is so friendly and welcoming, everyone knows each other and the entire
island is run on Facebook – everything from food supply to air traffic control alerts.
“The vibe is very laid–back and the rush hour on Stanley waterfront comprises of
probably no more than three Land Rovers.”
During his stay Rob was a 90–minute walk from a colony of Gentoo penguins and
managed to spend time photographing the local wildlife, in his spare time.
Rob said: “I would go back in a heartbeat. But maybe during their summer next
time!
“I am at an age where conversations about retirement have occurred and if I was to
do that and wanted to retain my professional accreditation, going back would be
something I would do.
do that and wanted to retain my professional accreditation, going back would be
something I would do.
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