Health / Consultant among first to receive new credential in rural and remote health
ONE of NHS Shetland’s consultants has received the first-ever credential in rural and remote health, which focuses on unscheduled and urgent care.
Among a group of seven UK-based doctors to receive this recognition is Dr Caroline Heggie, a locum consultant in emergency medicine at NHS Shetland.
NHS Shetland said the credential emphasises the “critical skills required to deliver high-quality care in isolated environments where access to specialist facilities may be limited”.
Among the first cohort of awardees, six doctors are based in Scotland: four with NHS Highland, one with NHS Dumfries and Galloway, and Dr Heggie.
Reflecting on her career journey, she said: “I’m Scottish originally, but in 2009, I moved to Australia, where I spent nearly a decade training and working as an emergency medicine consultant.
“My work there spanned both large city hospitals and smaller rural areas, and I discovered a real passion for working in more isolated settings. Returning to Scotland, I sought a way to apply that experience.”
Her return led her to a unique rotational position with NHS Shetland, allowing her to work in the remote region while remaining based in Edinburgh.
“The rotational job was ideal,” Dr Heggie said. “It allowed me to stay connected to Edinburgh while working in Shetland’s pragmatic, hands-on environment.
“I’ve been in this role for four years now, my longest time in any job. It’s proof that something is working well.”
The GMC-approved credential not only acknowledges these doctors’ exceptional expertise in looking after people requiring unscheduled and urgent care, but it also highlights their commitment to improving patient outcomes in rural and remote communities.
Dr Heggie said the credential “gives credibility to what we do in rural medicine”.
“It proves that we have the skills and experience to provide high-quality care in these unique environments,” she added.
“For me, it’s a personal milestone, and for rural hospitals, it’s a step towards recognition and further recruitment opportunities.”
The journey to earning the credential involved compiling evidence of her experience, reflective practice, and addressing gaps in knowledge through courses and additional training.
The doctor described the process as “straightforward and rewarding”.
NHS Shetland said the isles are already a popular placement choice for students, and Dr Heggie feels the new credential could also be a way to inspire future generations of medics to consider rural medicine.
“Rural medicine was never mentioned as a career path during my training 20 years ago, but I think that’s changing,” she added.
“Junior doctors today can see examples like mine—a rewarding, flexible career balancing challenging medical work with a good work-life balance.
“The credential helps put rural medicine on the map as a viable and rewarding specialty. It’s a great advert for Scottish rural hospitals, and I hope it will help with recruitment and inspire others to take up these essential roles.”
She also commended NHS Shetland for its innovative rotational job model, adding: “When I describe my job to others, they’re often impressed and even a bit jealous. It’s a novel approach that I haven’t seen elsewhere in the NHS.”
The doctor spends five weeks at a time in Shetland on a rotational basis.
This way of working was introduced in 2020 and has attracted a number of doctors to work in Shetland.
With the credential programme now in place, Dr Heggie felt it could become a springboard for expanding rural healthcare training and recognition across the UK.
“We were the first seven to go through the credential process, and it feels like a celebration,” she said.
“This is just the beginning – it’s going to grow from here.
“For anyone already working in a rural setting or considering it, this qualification provides both credibility and a real sense of satisfaction. It marks remote and rural training as a specialism in itself. I’d say, go for it.”
NHS Shetland’s Dr Pauline Wilson said: “A huge congratulations to Caroline Heggie, one of the first seven doctors in the UK to achieve the GMC-approved Credential in Rural and Remote Health (Unscheduled and Urgent Care).
“It’s truly inspiring to see a doctor from Shetland—the most northerly health board—represented among this pioneering group. Caroline’s dedication and expertise highlight the incredible impact rural medicine can have on communities and the importance of this milestone for healthcare in remote areas.
“Well done, Caroline – you’ve set a fantastic example for others and put Shetland on the map as a leader in rural healthcare innovation.”
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