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In this episode, we speak with Dr Iain Cromarty about life as a GP on the island of Hoy in Orkney. Iain shares how he came to work in one of Scotland's most remote practices, the realities of providing care to a population of around 400 on an island steeped in wartime history, and the unique clinical challenges of island medicine - from catching ferries for acute admissions to managing patients when no transport is available. He also reflects on how continuity of care is changing now that the islands rely entirely on itinerant doctors working shorter shifts.
We discuss digital health and connectivity, a subject close to Iain's heart. He describes the frustrations of working without facilities like Order Comms, relying on Word documents and scanned emails for processes that were fully digital in his Norfolk practice 15 years ago, and the ongoing challenges of unreliable broadband and telephony that can sometimes cut doctors and patients off entirely. But it's not all frustration - Iain highlights how Near Me video consultations have transformed outpatient access to Aberdeen specialists, and how a WhatsApp group connecting clinicians across 10 islands has become a lifeline for clinical support, including one memorable case of a video-guided consultation with a patient still trapped in a car.
A beginner’s guide to Orkney’s history
10 Amazing Things to Do in Orkney
What to see and do on Orkney Mainland
Travelling The Orkney Islands For 7 Days (Ruth Aisling YouTube video)
How Did Orkney Change Scottish History? (Scottish History YouTube video)
