NHS Highland has launched a search for a nurse to join a busy island practice, potentially bringing four years of “stress and anxiety” over the vacant post to an end.
After being without a resident nurse for more than four years, islanders on Raasay are delighted that a job to meet the demands of its 200 residents has finally been advertised.
Raasay is a 25-minute ferry journey from Sconser, on the the Isle of Skye.
The full-time band six nursing post is being promoted with a salary of up to £38,046, depending on experience.
Chairwoman of Raasay Community Council, Anne Gillies, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be at the stage of appointing a nurse.
“We have set up a website called raasaynurse.com so that anyone from anywhere in the world can find out about the job.
“For the last four years we have been without a resident nurse, and this has caused lots of stress and anxiety – so it will be wonderful to have someone back on the island.
“We have all been working together to make sure there is suitable accommodation available for the staff member.”
For the last four years a nurse has come from the mainland for the day to carry out the nursing duties on the island.
A spokesman for NHS Highland said: “We currently have an exciting opportunity for a suitably qualified and experienced nurse to join the community nursing team on Raasay.
“The recruitment drive follows a successful campaign by the island community to restore round-the-clock clinical cover.
“The post holder will have a lot of variety in their job. Raasay is a wonderful place to work, live and to bring up a family.
“There is low crime, low pollution and amazing scenery and wildlife.”
The advert for the resident nursing cover post was put up on the NHS Scotland recruitment website yesterday, and a campaign to attract a nurse to the island will also be posted on social media.
The closing date for applications is Monday, August 19.
