SCOTTISH HEALTHCARE
Kerry Watson, marketing manager for associations at VisitScotland, says there is no better place for the health sector to do business.
T
he stereotypical image of Scotland is of dreamy landscapes, heather-clad mountains and misty lochs. However, the reality of the business landscape in Scot- land is very different. For organisations looking for the perfect place to host memo- rable events, the country offers a diverse range of venues and facilities.
There are state-of-the-art conference cen- tres in every major city, and accommoda- tion ranging from contemporary to budget city-centre hotels, as well as luxurious country retreats available for exclusive use. Add to that the fact that Scotland has an unrivalled reputation in medical research and that three of the country’s universities – all with world-class medical credentials – are ranked in the top 100 in the world, and it is clear that there is no better place for the health sector to do business.
Fabulous venues are not just to be found in Scotland’s major cities. Around the coun- try, there are facilities that are a world apart from the hustle and bustle but still within easy access of transport links. This brings not only greater choice and a wider flavour of what Scotland has to offer, but often with cost benefits on top.
Only 15 minutes from Glasgow is the mul- tiple award-winning Beardmore in Clyde- bank. With 168 bedrooms, the Beardmore is the national public sector conference centre, and top of the list for healthcare and medical events. The new Beardmore Centre for Health Science is equipped with innovative medical services for training doctors, surgeons, nurses and other clini- cians and healthcare workers. Working in partnership with the adjoining Golden Jubilee National Hospital, the Beardmore has the ability to stream live surgical proce- dures, affording delegates interaction with the medical team.
Also close to Glasgow is Lanarkshire, home to two World Heritage Sites – the Antonine Wall and New Lanark, a beautifully re- stored 18th century cotton mill village close to the dramatic Falls of Clyde. The New Lanark Hotel, Shawlands Park Hotel and Westerwood Hotel and Golf Resort each offer state of the art facilities for inspiring
events all within easy reach of Edinburgh and Glasgow. In particular, Westerwood, with capacity to host conferences up to 400, has hosted events on behalf of NHS 24hr; NHS National Services Scotland; Bowel Cancer UK and Breast Cancer Care.
Close to Edinburgh, Fife’s Carnegie Con- ference Centre is a purpose-built facil- ity adjacent to Carnegie College in Dun- fermline. As well as capacity for up to 250 delegates, with 25 meeting and break-out rooms and a video conference suite, the first-class dining is overseen by a head chef who has worked in some of the most prestigious Scottish hotels. This autumn, Carnegie will welcome 300 delegates for the Dunfermline and West Fife Commu- nity Partnership Conference, and regularly hosts smaller meetings for NHS Education Scotland.
One of the newest venues in North Fife is the superb New School of Medicine at St Andrew’s University. Following a £45m investment, the first event for this cutting- edge venue was the 16th Europic Confer- ence, an international event for 200 del-
egates. Ideally located an hour’s drive from Edinburgh, St Andrews was chosen for its accessibility for delegates, 75% of whom were travelling from outside the UK.
David Evans of the University of Warwick, chair of the organising committee, said: “The venue was ideal for our needs, with everything on a single site, excellent lec- ture facilities, comfortable accommoda- tion and good food. Hosting the event in St Andrews, we were able to provide a lo- cal flavour of Scotland with whisky-tasting and a haggis supper. Scotland has a sense of identity unlike other places in the UK which made holding the conference there particularly appealing for an international audience.”
Scotland’s conferencing landscape is dy- namic, diverse and in good health - with a warm welcome guaranteed.
FOR MORE INFORMATION Contact VisitScotland’s Business Tourism Unit T: +44 (0)131 472 2376 W:
www.conventionscotland.com
national health executive Sep/Oct 11 | 65
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