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Health / Exhibition showcasing lives of rural GPs on display in Hillswick

From left to right: Philip Kenolty, Lisa Watt and Dr Susan Bowie. Photo: NHS Shetland

AN EXHIBITION about single-handed GPs that has been touring the Highlands and Islands has made its way to Shetland.

The exhibition, at the Weaving Shed in Hillswick, is based on a book published 25 years ago describing the lives and work of GPs working single-handedly in remote and rural areas in Scotland, including Shetland.

In 2024, some of those doctors were revisited to find out what had changed for GP provision and practice.

The Shetland part of the story features Dr Susan Bowie from Hillswick, Dr Dylan Murphy from Lerwick and NHS Shetland’s primary care manager Lisa Watt.

The individual stories are presented on information boards and filmed interviews, which can be viewed on television screens.

Photo: NHS Shetland

Dr Bowie said: “It’s been fascinating to be part of this project.

“I’m proud to see our Shetland story included, and I hope visitors enjoy discovering more about life as a single-handed doctor in such a unique place.”

It is described as a collaborative exhibition between the Royal College of General Practitioners, University of Dundee, St Margaret’s in Braemar and Aberdeen Medico-Chirurgical Society.

The Weaving Shed, a private waterfront art gallery, can be found next to the Hillswick Wildlife Sanctuary.

It is owned by Geoff Jukes, who renovated the building to house a collection of artwork by his late partner Jeanette Obstoj.

The Weaving Shed is also currently hosting stone sculptures by Northumberland-based sculptor Philip Kenolty, and is open from 12pm to 5pm each day.

NHS Shetland said it wished to thank Jukes and Kenolty for their help in providing a space for the exhibition.

The touring exhibition, called Dr Finlay I Presume?, is available to view until 28 August.

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