Posted 25 July 2019 - 09:59
Posted 25 July 2019 - 09:59
News
Wanted: resident nurses for small Scottish island
Isle of Raasay advertises for role that provides ‘a real shift in lifestyle’
Isle of Raasay advertises for role that provides ‘a real shift in lifestyle’
A Scottish island with a population of 170 people is hoping to recruit its first resident nurses in a decade.
The Isle of Raasay lies between the Isle of Skye and the Scottish mainland, and is 14 miles long by 4 miles at its widest.
Nurses and GPs currently commute from Syke
For the past ten years the island has been without a resident nurse, and islanders have been campaigning since 2015 for the position to be reinstated.
There is no GP practice on the island, so clinics are held by GPs and nurses who come by boat from nearby Skye, from which daily ferry crossings operate.
Role brings autonomy in practice
Retired community nurse Ann Macleod moved from Glasgow 18 years ago to live and work on Raasay and remains there today.
‘The job was very different [from her role in Glasgow], but it was much more pleasant, as you had so much more time to spend with people and you got to know them really well,’ Ms Macleod said.
‘You have to get used to working on your own and there is quite a lot of autonomy to make your own decisions, but you still have back-up on Skye if you need it.’
Wide-ranging responsibilities
The salary is £30,401 to £38,046 and the role is described as a rare opportunity to provide ‘cradle to grave’ personal nursing and primary care.
The nurses appointed will be responsible for assessing, planning, implementing and reviewing the healthcare needs of patients and their families, and will be the first clinicians on scene providing emergency care.
‘An exciting opportunity’
NHS Skye, Lochalsh and Wester Ross district manager Kate Earnshaw said it was an exciting opportunity for the right nurses.
‘We hope this opening will appeal to candidates looking for a real shift in lifestyle,’ she said.
'Raasay is a wonderful place to live and work, and we look forward to attracting lots of applications.’
‘A huge boost to the community’
Raasay Community Council chair Anne Gillies said: ‘A resident nurse on Raasay will be a huge boost to the community.
‘We’re all very happy at the prospect of having a nursing presence on the island again.’
The closing date for applications is 19 August.
Further information
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