Recruitment and Studying: Student Electives, Taster Weeks & Observerships and Clinical Attachments

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Student Electives

Electives are offered on selected start dates for a period of 3,4, 7 or 8 weeks, during the months of May, June and July only. Please note that as Western Isles Hospital is a small rural hospital, elective placements are not restricted to one specialty, but you will get the chance to gain experience in several. 

We are now accepting applications for 2026 – please see guidance documents below on how to apply.

We will start accepting applications for 2027 in December 2025. We may not respond to early applicants.

Applications for 2025 will be considered, but there is limited space.

Elective Expression of Interest Form

Elective guidance notes

For further information, please contact Caroline Ross, Medical Education Coordinator at wi.csa@nhs.scot.

Undergraduate Medical Education Team:

• Director of Medical Education: Dr Neil Maclean
• Medical Education Co-ordinator: Caroline Ross

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Taster Weeks

Western Isles Hospital offers Taster Weeks throughout the year for those in Foundation Programme posts, after April of FY1 year, or during (ideally, at the start of) FY2 year.

Please note that as Western Isles Hospital is a Rural General Hospital (plus), it is not guaranteed that Taster Week placements will be in the same specialty for the entire week. You will have the opportunity to experience several departments depending on capacity.

Please send your C.V. and preferred dates to Caroline Ross, Medical Education Co-ordinator. Email: wi.csa@nhs.scot

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Observerships and Clinical Attachments

Western Isles Hospital does not offer Clinical Attachments other than Taster Weeks for those already currently employed in UK Foundation posts.

If you would like to apply for an Observership please fill in the application form below and return to wi.medrecruit@nhs.scot

Application Form (MS Word format)              Application Form (PDF format)

Please note that as Western Isles Hospital is a remote Rural General Hospital (plus), Observerships may be limited to opportune specialities, though you may have the chance to experience the workings across several departments, depending on capacity.

Please be aware that Observerships are strictly “hands-off”, work shadowing placements. Applicants will need to fund their own travel and accommodation. Observerships are not paid roles but neither will you be charged for the experience. Any such medical placements may be subject to short notice cancellation in the event of unforeseen adverse service pressures that compromise support for the Observership.

We are no longer accepting applications for 2024. We will review applications for 2025 from November onwards- early applicants may not be replied to.