THINK WESTERN ISLES: THINK WELLBEING – Podiatry Opportunity launched!

Working with a progressive team of eight other podiatrists in a location voted last year as one of the happiest places to live in the UK* is the prospect currently being offered by NHS Western Isles in a new and exciting opportunity.

Whilst there is a national (UK) shortage of podiatrists, with numbers continuing to decline, NHS Western Isles is highlighting the unique and unrivalled benefits of coming to work in the stunning Outer Hebrides, where individuals will be fully supported by a highly skilled team and where they will be motivated on a daily basis by the excellent patient feedback on services and high levels of patient satisfaction.

Podiatry Services Manager for NHS Western Isles, Sarann Macphee, has worked for NHS Western Isles for 36 years and, as the head of service, she has led the development of the team from a small department in the community into a service offering highquality specialist podiatry care, with extended scope MSK  services, nail surgery, diabetic foot surveillance,  foot ulcer management, general podiatry, domiciliary, acute and community careacross the Western Isles.

Sarann said: “We are delighted to launch this recruitment drive for an Advanced Diabetes and Vascular Podiatrist, based on the beautiful Isle of Lewis. The post will cover the stunning Isles of Lewis , Harris, Uist and Barra. We are offering this post at a band 7 (£48,788- £56,747 per annum) or as a development opportunity for a band 6. In addition to that there is Distant Islands Allowance of £1,349 and relocation expenses of up to £8,000.

“Like other health systems across the UK, we are experiencing the impact of a national shortage in podiatrists at present and for that reason, we are also offering the post as a secondment – so that individuals can come and experience living and working on our beautiful islands for a period before making a permanent commitment – or as a development opportunity for a band 6 podiatrist. We are also fortunate to be able to offer an additional incentive to come and work with us of £3,500 per year (until July 2027) on top of the annual salary as a Recruitment and Retention payment.”

The NHS Western Isles Podiatry department is a popular choice for student placements, mainly as a result of the hugely supportive team and the opportunities to get involved in such a wide range of care and treatments. These are also benefits for anyone joining the NHS Western Isles podiatry family. The latest staff experience measure found that 98 per cent of team members would recommend the podiatry team as a good one to be part of and said that the team works well together.

Sarann explained: “We are looking for an experienced podiatrist able to contribute to delivering the high standard of patient care that we deliver here, in all aspects of podiatry management with specific experience in managing the ‘at risk’ foot. Podiatrists seeking to develop their role into the Advanced Diabetes and Vascular Podiatrist must also demonstrate experience of working in the high-risk foot working at Band 6.”

She added: “You will be joining a team committed to delivering the very best podiatric care including MSK, diabetes, wound management, nail surgery and general podiatry. We deliver care based upon need, via care pathways and Patient Initiated Reviews. The Service is fully integrated providing both primary and secondary care from modern, well-equipped clinics based in the Western Isles’ three main hospitals.”

Whilst the senior role and competitive remuneration package is attractive, alongside working as part of a close-knit and supportive small team with administrative support, NHS Western Isles is also highlighting the benefits of living and working in one of the UK’s most unspoilt locations.

NHS Western Isles Chief Executive Gordon Jamieson said: “Whilst the recruitment of senior podiatrists is undoubtedly challenging across the country, we are clear that the appeal of the Western Isles as a location to live and work is unrivalled and very special, and hugely attractive to those looking for a healthier work-life balance, and for those wanting to become part of a community. Recent recruitment campaigns focused on our unique selling points as a special close-knit island community, where wellbeing and job satisfaction are the priorities, and through sharing these special features that we have to offer, we have been able to successfully attract a range of staff to our islands.”

Our recruitment drive is highlighting why a move to the Western Isles is the right choice for Wellbeing, potentially for individuals who may want to escape the stressful hustle and bustle of city life for a healthier work-life balance and to embrace a wide range of development opportunities for improved job satisfaction.

Known as Scotland’s Atlantic Islands, the Western Isles are steeped in history and culture, with stunning landscapes, spectacular coastlines, a strong sense of community and identity, and renowned Hebridean hospitality. Whilst the stunning landscapes and famous sparkling beaches are undoubtedly strong selling points, NHS Western Isles wants to take a step back from the tourist draws and promote the Western Isles as a place to live and work, not just to visit.

The Western Isles also has excellent sports facilities, with sports centres across the islands, and an enviable local authority membership scheme for residents. Stornoway boasts a state-of-the-art sports facility with a fully equipped gym, spa, dance studio, climbing wall and swimming pool; whilst the smaller facility in the North-West of Lewis in Ness also offers the additional features of a ten-pin bowling facility and soft play area for kids.     

Outdoors, there are numerous sporting opportunities, from water sports such as kayaking, surfing and paddleboarding; to climbing, excellent walks, golf, rugby, bowling and football to name a few. Add to that the multi-arts venue on the Stornoway seafront (with cinema, theatre, art gallery and concert hall) and the numerous clubs and opportunities for young people, including arts, drama, dance, karate, scouting, kickboxing, and gymnastics, together with a good education system, and you have an ideal place to raise a family.  

Contrary to misconceptions about a small and basic health system, NHS Western Isles regularly leads the way in healthcare innovation, with a number of ‘firsts’ for Scotland achieved, and taking the use of technology to advanced levels to improve care and treatment for residents in a remote island location. Podiatry, for example, is the first service to introduce the use of a Kardia device as part of  a basic assessment , the Kardia device screens irregular heart rhythms for atrial fibrillation which increases your risk of stroke and heart attacks. The podiatry team also champions the practice of CPR for feet throughout health and social care.  

Mr Jamieson added: “It’s important that we clarify misconceptions about the Western Isles for anyone thinking about a career move. We’re remote, but we’re accessible and we have great clinical networks. Yes, we have smaller teams, but our teams are supportive, motivated and work in an environment that empowers them to make a difference. Yes, there are limitations in terms of what we can do on-island, but we’re innovative, creative and forward thinking, which leads to a high sense of job satisfaction.    

“It’s true we have unrivalled beaches and landscapes to offer, but we have so much more of a story to tell, and so many more reasons to make this a place to live and work, not just to visit.”    

For more information on living and working in the Western Isles visit the following  sites www.visitouterhebrides.co.uk , www.isle-of-lewis.com.

The Advanced Diabetes and Vascular Podiatrist post closes on June 16, 2025.

Find NHS Western Isles on Facebook, X @NHSWI or Instagram.

For further information about the role, please contact: Mrs Sarann Macphee, Podiatry Manager, Tel: 01851 708285 or email at – sarann.macphee@nhs.scot