Lab focus p34 | Happy New Year p38 | GDC guidance p59 | Island strife
Standard of facilities behind recruitment problems for new dentist on the picturesque island of Islay
J
ust what is stopping a dentist from taking up a full-time position on the majestic island of Islay, off Scotland’s west coast, when they could live in a beautiful
setting like this? Despite some of the world’s finest
scenery, the answer may lie in the surgery facilities that a new recruit would have to work in. This is either a portacabin (inset) in a
Bowmore car park where, it is suggested, patients use their cars as their own personal waiting rooms. Or a mobile surgery on the back of a lorry that no-one is sure when was last on the road. Whatever the reason, it is the patients
who are suffering with waiting times to see the part-time dentist on the island, other than for children and emergencies, said to be stretching out for up to a year. The situation has become so acute that
one dentist in Paisley has even begun advertising his services on the mainland in the local paper that covers Islay and Jura. But that is only available to those who can
afford the round trip by plane or boat. For locals on these stunning islands,
the problems began a year ago when their only full-time dentist retired. Now, one part-time dentist is left to provide a service to residents. And because of the workload she is having to prioritise children and people in pain. Although ı6 people expressed interest in
the vacant post, and three were offered the job, the position has not been fi lled. “The facilities are just not attractive
and the Community Health Partnership has told us there’s no funding to upgrade them,” local resident and retired GP Pat McGrann explained. For the time being at least there appears
to be no resolution in sight. Elizabeth Reilly, assistant dental
director for NHS Highland, said: “We have resumed the recruitment process for this position and we will continue our efforts to secure another dentist on Islay as soon as is practically possible.” Dr Alasdair Watson of the St Mirren Brae surgery in Paisley is originally from
Jura and has worked on the islands in the past. He said: “A lot of patients come from Islay to go to the RAH Hospital in Paisley, to go shopping to Glasgow and to visit friends and family. We see quite a number of patients from the islands and as we were aware there is a problem with getting access to a dentist on Islay. So, we thought it would be a good idea to put an advert in the local paper.” Dr Watson said it was too early to say
what the response had been like but put the trickle of patients down to the time of year. “We have seen some, but I imagine we will see a better response in the spring time,” he added. The dentist said that during his time on
the island, he had worked in the mobile van on Islay. “This was about ı0 years ago. But I actually thought it was quite well- equipped. It was a mobile van that they had and I think some dentists would be quite happy with the facilities that we had then. I don’t know what it’s like now,” he said.
Consultation over Hebridean clinic closures CRITICISM
PATIENTS are to be consulted on the proposed closure of three dental practices in the Outer Hebrides. The possible relocation of the dental practices at Lochmaddy on North Uist, Liniclate on Benbecula, and Lochboisdale on South Uist, are being discussed by
NHS Western Isles in a bid to modernise the service.
Currently the three clinics need reno- vated to meet current standards, which would be a costly project. The health board believes that closing them and centralising the service would “provide high quality services from one location, with scope for future improvements”.
If plans go ahead, following a public consultation, dental services for the islands would be centralised at the Uist and Barra Hospital at Balivanich on Benbecula.
However, the proposals have been criticised because the current set up means some patients would need to travel a 70-mile round trip to the dentist.
Scottish Dental magazine 15
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