In reply to climbin_chris:
Medical training in Wales (at least when I was doing ICU training in Wrexham many years go) splits South Wales (where the 'power base' of medicine in Wales sits, such as it is) and the N wales A55 corridor which drains more towards the Mersey. Back in those days if I had pursued anaesthesia/ICU I would have had to rotate through the major centres in the south, unless there have been significant changes I don't think that will change. You can get a fair amount of experience rotating between Ysbwty Gwynedd, Ysbytwy Glan Clwyd and Ysbwty Maelor but not higher level specialist experience needed for advanced training. All three are, I think, looked on as poor relations by the Cardiff/Swansea axis. To spend some time there won't be career limiting, but to spend all training there probably would be. Obviously this only applies for specialist hospital training - GP training being a different beast altogether (and I gather pretty good in the north).
You will need to talk to someone in the Deanery about the geography of their training schemes, and these days sadly you need to choose a career path quite early... the days when hospital careers could be built around where you fancied living are long gone!
From personal experience Wrexham was good as the road links are excellent - weekend trips across to Cadair Idris or Snowdonia and evenings on limestone at World's End and longer trips to Scotland were all possible despite the hours (most things being possible when young and foolish!). In hindsight I wouldn't have driven as much when tired though...
PM me if you want - also try emailing Thickhead on here, who trained in N Wales...
