I have recently received information about the Winston Churchill Travelling Fellowships which I thought would be of interest to readers of the Scottish Medical Journal. The trust is open to any individual and has a number of categories. The most obvious category is ‘Medical and Health’ - although there are many others which I am sure would apply to Scottish doctors including ‘Young People (<25 years)’, ‘Europe’, ‘Science and Technology’ as well the more specific such as ‘Canoeing’.

THE WINSTON CHURCHILL TRUST is a living tribute to Sir Winston, whose example is the inspiration. He died in 1965 and many thousands of people, in respect for the man and grateful for his inspired leadership, gave generously to a public subscription to fund Travelling Fellowships. All British Citizens are eligible for the annual awards.

The Fellowships are to enable men and women from all walks of life to acquire knowledge and experience abroad. In the process, they gain a better understanding of the lives and different cultures of people overseas and, on their return, their effectiveness at work and their contribution to the community is enhanced greatly.

Churchill Fellows can be of any age and in any occupation. Everyone has an equal chance; a lack of qualifications is not a bar to an award as every application is judged on the worth of the individual and the merit of the project.

Past award winners have included nurses, artists, scientists, engineers, farmers, conservationists, carers, craft workers, artisans, members of the emergency services, sportsmen and women and, of course, disabled people.

Medical and Health.

This is a deliberately broad category intended to attract applicants with projects that will enhance the effectiveness of the nation’s health. For example (but certainly not exclusively): the role of the General Practitioner Service, nursing and ancillary staff, accident and emergency provision and improving the integration of hospital and community care.

If any Scottish doctor is successful in applying, I would encourage them to write an article and submit it to the Scottish Medical Journal (provided it is on medicine and not canoeing).

Finally, please note that applications for this year have to be in by 30 October 2002.