Remote and Rural GP (Westray)

NHS National Services Scotland; Scotland; Remote; GBP 104,000 - 119,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Accommodation

Job summary

NHS National Services Scotland seeks a GP to join the Orcades Practice on Westray, Orkney. A part‑time, permanent position offers a remote island lifestyle, working with GPs and nurses to deliver holistic care.

There is 24/7 on-call support, with rotation blocks and accommodation provided to successful applicants. The package includes a salary range (£104,253–£119,198) with a 45% enhancement for 24/7 cover and Distant Islands Allowance pro rata; study and annual leave are built in to support

Qualifications

• The role requires experience in remote island general practice and holistic patient care.
• Ability to work within a small team of GPs and nurses in a supportive community.
• Commitment to on-call duties and flexible shift patterns across 3‑week blocks.

Responsibilities

• Provide single-handed GP services within a wider GP/nurse team.
• Deliver holistic care in a remote setting and participate in routine visiting duties.
• Cover 24/7 on-call rotations with support from community nursing staff.

Skills

Remote island practice

Holistic care

On-call 24/7

Team collaboration

Education

GMC registered GP

Job description

18 weeks plus study and annual leave (18 weeks plus study and annual leave (equates to 21.18 weeks)

Salary £104,253 - £119,198 (dependent on experience) plus 45% enhancement for 24/7 cover plus Distant Islands Allowance pro rata

Permanent

Be a single-handed GP in a wider supportive team of GPs and Nurses

Be an important part of a small island community

The surgery on the island of Westray are looking for a GP to complete their “small but perfectly formed” team. As a part-time GP you will have the advantages of working in one of the remote cohesive practices with more time for your patients, seeing them in the context of their lives and working in bite‑sized chunks surrounded by beautiful scenery and wildlife. We work in rotation, usually for 3 weeks at a time, and are on call 24/7, with support from a community nurse.

Westray, with a population of approximately 550, is a branch of the Orcades Practice which consists of six single-handed island practices with GPs and nurses providing 24/7 healthcare to the smaller islands of Orkney. Weekly videoconferences enable clinicians to share knowledge and experience to overcome professional isolation and provide strong peer support. The GP will also provide a routine visiting service to support the Nurse Practitioner led service on the neighbouring island of Papa Westray, with a population of approximately 95. Rotational working allows practitioners to live on island, elsewhere in the UK or even internationally. The associated blocks of time off allow practitioners to not only work elsewhere but even pursue specialist professional interests where these pursuits are not achievable alongside a traditional 9-5 role. The best of both worlds?

Spice up your regular GP skills with the challenges of pre‑hospital emergency care whilst waiting for helicopter evacuation. Emergency care training with standardised equipment and protocols is provided.

The post will appeal to an experienced GP who will relish the opportunity of providing holistic care in a remote but supported environment. Study and annual leave allocations are built in to allow you to acquire and maintain the skills needed. Accommodation is provided.

Rise to the challenge and enjoy the opportunity, Orkney offers unique wildlife, amazing scenery, and real opportunity to experience a wide range of cultural and sporting activities. There is something for everyone; state-of-the‑art leisure facilities, various clubs and societies, and an excellent education system creates our strong community spirit. To find out more about living and working on the Islands of Orkney go to: https://youtu.be/AD24d9JJLmI

If we have piqued your interest, we would love to hear from you and are happy to chat about our experiences to see if this might be the job you are looking for. Please contact Westray GP on 01857 677209 or Rose Rendall, Business Support Officer on [e-mail]

• Reference: 258674