News / Whalsay doctor dies suddenly
THE ISLAND of Whalsay is in shock after their local GP died suddenly while on annual leave in Edinburgh at the weekend.
Fifty eight year old Wilf Treasure was only appointed to the Whalsay practice two years ago after the local health board had spent two years trying to recruit someone to the remote post.
This month NHS Shetland was due to interview GPs to provide support to the Dr Treasure, who was a fitness fanatic who was regularly seen jogging through the island.
On Monday NHS Shetland issued a statement saying that the GP was held in great respect by health board staff and will be sadly missed by his colleagues and the local community.
Chief executive Ralph Roberts said: “Our thoughts are obviously with Dr Treasure’s wife and family at this difficult time.
“I am also very aware of the impact this will have on Dr Treasure’s immediate colleagues on Whalsay and in primary care and we will look to support them through this difficult time.
“The practice is currently covered with a locum GP and we will be looking to put ongoing contingency arrangements in place as quickly as possible.”
The health board ran five separate advertising campaigns to recruit a GP for Whalsay after the retirement of Brian Marshall in 2009.
The current locum providing cover while Dr Treasure was on annual leave is due to leave at the weekend and efforts are being made to find a replacement as soon as possible.
A health board spokesman said they were committed to providing full health cover for the island population of 1,000 people.
Earlier this year Dr Treasure put out his own call for an associate doctor on a GP website forum saying the post offered variety and a good work-leisure balance.
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