NHS Scotland is committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our workforce and eliminating unlawful discrimination. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best. To this end, NHS Scotland welcomes applications from all sections of society.

RURAL EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN

Caithness General Hospital, Wick

£106,936 to £128,368 pro-rata dependent on experience

Our Ref: RuralEmerPhys/May24 Ref: 186290

Working alongside experienced nursing colleagues and junior doctors our established Rural Emergency Physician (REP) team provides the senior clinical leadership for the Emergency Department. The department is the Front Door of the hospital, seeing all Accident & Emergency (A&E) presentations, assessing GP referrals and delivering a Same Day Emergency Care service, alongside Consultant Physician and Surgical colleagues. There is 24/7 Anaesthetic support. It is a busy, varied and rewarding job.

We work 12.5-hour day shifts with occasional overnight on call from home, as part of the consultant rota. There is a complement of 10 junior doctors and the REP team plays an active part in supporting their training and development. Some members of our team live remote from Wick, working compressed hours to help minimise travel.

Applicants should have broad generalist experience and an enthusiasm to learn. An initial 3-month induction period will allow our appointee to gain additional skills and confidence by working alongside colleagues and undertaking clinical attachments, usually in Inverness. The REP contract provides 4 weeks attachment and 2 weeks study leave per year to maintain skills and to network with specialist colleagues who provide excellent distant support. Applicants should hold a Certificate of Completion of Training for General Practitioners or Emergency Medicine and be registered with the General Medical Council with a licence to practice.

Caithness General Hospital (CGH) has 44 inpatient beds covering the rural, far-flung population (approx. 30,000) of Caithness and Sutherland in the very north of Scotland. It provides 24-hour A&E, general medicine, surgical, geriatric, rehabilitation, palliative care, midwife-led maternity, dialysis and outpatient services. Radiology provides x-ray, CT and ultrasound scanning, alongside excellent laboratory and pharmacy services. We are working with Primary Care to further develop our service to create more integrated care to our rural population. There are opportunities to work in General Practice alongside this REP role.

CGH is 2 hours by road from Raigmore Hospital, with air transfer for critically unwell patients. Raigmore Hospital is the referral centre for Highland and the consultant body understands the remote nature of our work and provides excellent support. CGH is one of six Rural General Hospitals (RGH) in the north of Scotland who meet regularly via videoconference to share learning, experiences and provide mutual support. The RGHs also receive 24/7 clinical support from the Emergency Medical Retrieval Services and North of Scotland Trauma Network.

Caithness offers an enviable lifestyle, a stunning natural environment and wildlife with access to a breadth of outdoor pursuits, including internationally recognised surfing and fishing. And North Coast Sutherland Area Visitor Guide - Accommodation, Things To Do & More | VisitScotland Air links, road and rail connect us to other UK centres.

Informal enquiries would be welcomed by Dr John Macleod, Clinical Lead, john.macleod2@nhs.scot or Mobile 07796 666449 or Dr Charlie Siderfin (charles.siderfin@nhs.scot)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR CANDIDATES

NHS Highland is geographically the largest of the 14 regional boards of NHS Scotland, covering an area of 12,500 square miles, across Highland and Argyll & Bute.

As a board we strive to ensure the environment is conducive to nurturing a positive culture, supported and delivered through our NHS and Social Care values.

Care and compassion

Dignity and respect

Openness, honesty and responsibility

Quality and teamwork