Could this be the best job in the world?

Published on Tuesday 20 January 2009 21:19

WALKING boots may be just as important as a stethoscope for GPs interested in a vacancy in a remote part of Scotland.

The small community in the Applecross peninsula in Wester Ross is seeking a family doctor to help their existing GP cover the spectacular but isolated area.

Fearing they may have difficulty recruiting a suitable candidate, residents are now helping health officials to advertise the post, highlighting the area's scenery, wildlife and outdoor activities.

Villagers have set up a website to attract candidates and – as well as the traditional advert in the British Medical Journal – the vacancy is also being advertised in outdoor magazines, in the hope that this may arouse the interest of GPs who enjoy hill walking, climbing or kayaking.

The advert reads: "Applecross, which is renowned for its scenic beauty, wildlife and outdoor activities, requires a general practitioner to operate from the surgery in Camusterrach.

"This is an ideal opportunity for someone who is happy living in a small, friendly community and who enjoys the outdoors. The mountains of Torridon, Achnashellach and Skye are close by and the waters of the Inner Sound of Raasay, which are warmed by the Gulf Stream, are ideal for sailing and kayaking."

Dr Janice Cargill has served Applecross for about 18 years, but wants a colleague to share round-the-clock care for the 265 registered patients. Her present associate lives hundreds of miles away in North Wales and visits only infrequently to give her some time off.

NHS Highland has now agreed to hire another GP to work on a one-week-on, one-week-off basis.

The post comes with a salary of 69,466 pro rata per year (or 34,733 for alternate weeks) and a car allowance to cover the crofting townships and cottages scattered along the road between Toscaig, in the south, and Kenmore on the north coast road – a distance of about 20 miles.

The next GP surgery and ambulance station is some 18 miles away in Lochcarron on a notoriously difficult road.

Alison Macleod, the secretary of the Applecross Community Council, said having a second GP is essential in such a remote area.

"There may be difficulties recruiting someone, these days doctors do not expect to do seven nights in a row on call," she admitted. "So we are hoping to attract a GP wanting to make a lifestyle change, someone who still wants to work as doctor but wants to relax and enjoy themselves a bit more, and a lot of GPs enjoy outdoor pursuits."

A NHS Highland spokeswoman said: "The self-convened Applecross Health Care Association, at their own behest, developed the website in question as a promo for prospective candidates and we are pointing all those who inquire to the site, which is very attractive and helpful.

"We acknowledge the particular challenges of the geography and are trying to maintain an integral out-of-hours service, as this is the best configuration for this area."

The move is another example of self-help by the community. In October, Ms Macleod and two other residents walked to Lochcarron to raise funds to support their vital petrol pumps.