welcome from shetland
We are a Pharmacy team working in Scotland's most northern isles area - Shetland. Shetland is an archipelago, a collection of around 100 islands, strung out over 100km of rugged and stunning coastline where over 23,000 people call Shetland home. 16 of the 100 islands are inhabited. Shetland is a vibrant mix of culture, history and natural beauty.
Our team is based out of both Lerwick (the main town), where the hospital pharmacy team works within the Gilbert Bain Hospital - a District General Hospital; and Scalloway (the old capital town), where the Primary Care Pharmacy Team are.
We're looking for someone interested in joining our teaM
GETTING HERE (flying)
Being remote, doesn't mean being cut off. Shetland is only 45-90 mins flight from mainland Scotland, with regular flights every day to all major Scottish airports (residents of the islands receive a 50% discount on the cost of travelling by flight).
Getting here (sailing)
Shetland is also accessible via boat. This is a longer and enjoyable journey starting in Aberdeen and ending in Lerwick. This trip takes in Orkney as well as Shetland, and allows visitors, residents and others to come with their cars, belongings and more (islanders also receive a discount on travel by ferry, and a 30% discount for friends and family)
the work we do (Primary care)
Our main focus is to improve the use of medicines for the people using our services, through a variety of approaches with skilled pharmacy professionals. The Primary Care Pharmacy team within Shetland work across a number of the general practices where we're well integrated with the general practice multidisciplinary team and social care teams. NHS Shetland has 10 general practices spread out throughout the isles, with a variety of different sizes and types - including dispensing practices, contractor practices and NHS Board operated practices. Within the team, there is a great mix of pharmacists, technicians, support staff and occasionally students; all with varying clinical interests and levels of experience. All pharmacists are independent prescribers, or are working towards this.
We're lucky to work in small teams, and work closely with colleagues in hospital pharmacy as well as the wider health care team (doctors, nurses, physios, dietitians, support staff). Working in small teams ensures that roles are varied, requiring each individual in the team to deliver a selection and breadth of valuable input including:
- Pharmacotherapy services
- Medication reviews
- Polypharmacy reviews
- Long term condition clinics
- Specialist clinics
- Analysis of prescribing
- Clinical audit
- Home visits
- Care home reviews
- Participation in key clinical development groups such as Managed Clinical Networks
- Implementing telehealth solutions
- Providing training and education to other staff
In Shetland, we want to develop staff within their roles; supporting pharmacists in their development to become Advanced Clinical Pharmacists with educational support, postgraduate learning and mentorship with an experienced team of clinical professionals. We've been developing an approach to deliver this across the Highlands and Islands of Scotland with colleagues in other Isles boards.
We're continuing to develop services, with some work having won awards as both a Primary Care Pharmacy team and work we've done in collaboration with the hospital pharmacy team.
Now is a really exciting time to join us in shetland.
the wider pharmacy team
Within Primary Care Pharmacy, we work closely with our hospital pharmacy colleagues - supporting transfer of patients between settings, providing follow-up in the community, and ensuring that patients are discharged as safely as possible.
We meet regularly and co-develop the pharmacy services together, providing joint hospital and primary care pharmacy input to some clinical specialities.
being part of a growing and diverse team
We have a friendly and inviting team of people from various different nationalities, career backgrounds and places. Being part of this wider team is key to the enjoyment of living and working in Shetland.
joining a community
Shetland is a welcoming place, with lots of community driven efforts for various causes, and opportunities to join communities of people with similar interests.
In the last couple of years, a number of health care professionals (surgeons, doctors, nurses, pharmacists), board members, emergency service personnel and members of the public have worked hard, in their own time, to fund raise the necessary investment for Shetland to have a local MRI scanner.
There are lots of different sports clubs, craft clubs, interest clubs etc. throughout the isles - catering to most people's interests and tastes.
it's more than just the stunning location and great team
Setting aside 2,700km of coastline, and it's northerly location; Shetland is a very normal place to live. Shetland has great access to similar amenities you would find in other Scottish towns and places such as:
- Excellent local schools
- Further education colleges
- A variety of cafes
- Bars with live music
- Restaurants with local seafood
- Shopping and retail
- Diverse employment opportunities
- Local cinema and arts venue
- Museums and culture
the appeal of shetland - its setting
Shetland's coast is vast. It winds ruggedly around the isles, home to huge numbers of birds - including the famous puffins.
the appeal of shetland - the beaches
It's also home to some of the most stunning and iconic beaches in the UK, including St Ninian's isle - the most famous of a few tombola beaches on Shetland. Another Shetland beach and isle, Uyea, topped the list of the UKs best wild beauty spots 2021.
The appeal of shetland - your own time
During summer months, you can enjoy hours of daylight well into the late evening - with some evenings where it barely gets dark at all. This creates lots of opportunity to enjoy your free time doing what you enjoy.
More info about living in shetland
speak to us to hear more
There will always be questions when considering a move or change in job, especially when making a move to the Scottish isles. The team would be happy to speak to you with any questions you may have about working and living in Shetland.
Please contact Anthony McDavitt - Lead Pharmacist for Community Health and Social Care - for more information by email, or by telephone:
- Email: anthony.mcdavitt@nhs.scot
- Telephone: 01595 743346 (hospital pharmacy)