Opportunities for lifelong learning, guest speakers, study groups, and social interaction.

Our next meeting is on Wednesday 6 September, 9.30 am at the St Heliers Community Centre.

Our speaker Dr Patrick Alley will share stories of “ship doctoring” in the Southern Ocean:  Dr Pat Alley is a retired general surgeon.  From 1984 to 2012 he was director of surgery at North Shore Hospital.  In his “retirement” he chairs the Clinical Governance Committee for Southern Cross Healthcare, advises ACC on treatment injury and evaluates research for AUT University. He is a member of the Auckland Medical Museum Trust and continues to teach anatomy and trauma care to surgical trainees. History themed travel is an indulgence while the more mundane and age – appropriate pastimes of golf, gardening and reading are his main diversions.

Learnings from Ten Trips over Ten Years as a ship’s Surgeon

The Safety of a life at Sea (SOLAS) protocol insists on a medically qualified individual to be on board when the complement of crew and passengers exceeds 90. Heritage Expeditions, a New Zealand based adventure tourism enterprise, employs specialist medical staff to adhere to this protocol.  I was fortunate enough to enjoy two trips to the Siberian Arctic. In my talk I will share the amazing geography, flora and fauna of the sub Antarctic Islands and Antarctica and describe some of the unique challenges of caring for a small cohort of mostly older aged people and a foreign crew in a medically constrained environment.

All our welcome to join us.  No admission charge.  Morning tea provided.