Nurses on Raasay: Scottish island to welcome resident staff back after decade’s absence

Nurses and GPs have been coming in by boat to hold their clinics

Four nurses will be starting work on a Scottish island where the 170-strong population has been without resident nursing support for a decade.

Recruitment for the roles hit the headlines this summer because the population on Raasay, which lies between the Isle of Skye and the Scottish mainland, has been relying on nurses and GPs coming in by boat to hold clinics.

Nurses will be rostered to stay overnight to provide out-of-hours cover

An NHS Highland spokesperson said the nurses, whose jobs add up to 3.6 full-time-equivalent posts, would work shifts and be on call overnight, adding that their practice would not be limited to the small Raasay population. The recruit will part of the wider North Skye community nurses team.

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‘There will be sufficient time for these nurses to work in other areas on Skye, which is important to maintain and develop skills,' the official said:

‘Accommodation is still an issue on Raasay and we are working with the community to find solutions.’

A total of 27 people had applied for the roles.

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