In this episode, I chat to Jane Rutherford, a haematology speciality doctor in Inverness. As part of a team of 5 consultants, 2 advanced nurse practitioners, and herself, she covers both NHS Highland and NHS Western Isles, an area comprising over 15,000 square miles and a population of over 350,000 people. Life can be a real challenge - from dealing with snow drifts, tidal islands, and small boats, the team manage to provide first class haematology care to patients with acute leukaemias, ITP, haemophilia, and everything else in between. This is a wide ranging chat about the trials and tribulations as a rural haematologist. If you do want to get in touch with Jane about possibly going to work in Inverness, feel free to email her: Jane.Rutherford@NHS.scot

20 Haematology in the Wilderness: Caring for Northern Scotland with Jane Rutherford

Granville Bantock's setting of words by Harold Boulton is prefaced on the score with the words: 'The refrain of this song was actually used recently on a Hebredean Island by a singer who thereby attracted a quantity of seals to gather round and listen intently to the singing.'

The 'Hoiran, oiran, oiran, oiro' of the refrain is certainly evocative. Bantock's setting is performed here by David Barton (piano) and Ruth Carlyle (voice). The painting of the seal is by Nic Carlyle.

Song To The Seals - Granville Bantock, 1930

Penny Mhor

Ruth is based in Lichfield, UK, and sings mostly classical and traditional folk music. She also writes lyrics (as Eleanor Ruth Carlyle) and collaborates on new music with David Barton http://www.davidbartonmusic.co.uk/.

She  released her first EP with David Barton in November 2020: ‘Annabel Lee Replies’.

The songs on Ruth’s SoundCloud site are illustrated by her husband Nic Carlyle https://www.twitter.com/carlyle_nic

Ruth was a awarded a Distinction for London College of Music Examinations Grade 8 Classical Singing (100%) in July 2018 and the DipLCM (upper level) in July 2019.

Musician and composer from Ayrshire, Scotland. Guide tracks for https://johncgrant.com

Books available from https://johncgrant.com/shop

A podcast about blood giving awesome, upcoming medics and scientists a platform to discuss new advances and express their opinions.

New tracks tagged #western isles