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

Heading 2

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

.

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

.

Observerships and Clinical Attachments

Western Isles Hospital do not offer Clinical Attachments or Observerships.