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Shetland GP retirement opens door to island practice serving 800 patients
Dr Susan Bowie, one of the UK’s most northerly GPs, is preparing to retire in April, creating an opportunity to take over her long-standing practice at Hillswick Health Centre in Shetland. The post offers island living among abundant wildlife and coastal scenery, and could appeal to doctors seeking a quieter life and close ties with their patients.
The practice serves about 800 patients, and Bowie says continuity of care has allowed her to know individuals and families across generations. The successful candidate may receive a £10,000 recruitment payment, with a nearby house available to rent or buy. Bowie opened the practice in 1988 after working across Shetland; she describes a manageable workload, consultant support and a nearby district hospital.
In short
- Shetland GP Susan Bowie is retiring in April.
- Her successor will care for about 800 patients.
- The post offers a £10,000 payment and island life.
Explained simply
Shetland is a group of islands north of mainland Scotland, where communities are spread across small settlements and access to services can involve long journeys. Hillswick Health Centre serves around 800 people in the north of the main island.
General practitioners, or GPs, provide local medical care and help patients access hospital specialists when needed. In a small community, a doctor may care for the same people and families over many years, while working with support from consultants and nearby hospital services.
Recruiting doctors to remote areas can be difficult, so practices may offer financial incentives and help with housing. The post matters to local residents because having a doctor based nearby can support continuity of care and access to everyday health services.
Read the full article at the source →
Originally published by Daily Mail as “Stunning ocean, amazing wildlife and blissful quiet… could this be the best doctor’s job ever?”.