Clinical Development Fellow: Rural Medicine & Surgery

Job Description

NHS HIGHLAND

Lorn & Islands Hospital

Clinical Fellow/Clinical Development Fellow
Hours: 40hours per week + Banding (if applicable)

Fixed Term Contracts – 05/08/2026 until 02/02/2027 or 05/08/2026 – 03/08/2027

£47,438 to £62,758per annum pro rata

NHS Highland are currently looking to recruit two Clinical Development Fellows in General Medicine and Surgery at Lorn & Islands Hospital in Oban, one of NHS Highland’s Rural General Hospitals. Oban is a wonderful town in which to live and work – it is surrounded by beautiful scenery and is close to the Highlands and a gateway to the Islands. It is just over two hours’ drive from Glasgow. Posts are available for 6 or 12 months, commencing 5th August 2026.

This is a fantastic opportunity to gain wide clinical experience: applications are welcome from doctors for the position of CDF who, by 4th August 2026, will have successfully completed UK Foundation Year 2 training. CDFs work in Medicine, Surgery and ED, sharing management of emergency/acute presentations and inpatients, alongside Consultant Physicians, Surgeons, Anaesthetists, Radiologists and Rural Emergency Practitioners. Doctors who have previously undertaken these roles have gone on to specialist training in a range of specialties: these posts offer an excellent opportunity to consolidate and expand general medical/surgical experience and are particularly suitable for those looking to apply for CT1 or IMT1 posts, or those wishing further experience while studying for MRCP/MRCS. The posts are also ideal for those interested in or considering pursuing a career in any aspect of Rural medicine.

You will manage both medical and surgical patients, with significant time also spent working in ED with close senior supervision: experience in carrying out procedures are more readily available than would be usual in larger units. Development time of 4 hours/week is included in these posts. How this is utilised will depend on the candidate’s interests – you may wish to be involved in teaching our Dundee University medical students and organising their programme, or pursue quality improvement projects, and there are opportunities to spend time in theatre/anaesthetics/out patients/radiology. Funding for study leave related to relevant projects/meetings is likely to be available. We will endeavour to accommodate applicants’ interests, whilst balancing with service requirements.

A 40% pay banding supplement will be paid to recognise contribution to out of hours working and the core salary will be based on a salary range of £45,504 – £60,199. The posts are not recognised for national training. Applicants must hold Full GMC Registration with a current Licence to Practice by the time of appointment.

Successful candidates will have full registration with the GMC and hold a license to practice.

Department contact:

Dr Emma Beveridge, Consultant General and Interventional Radiologist, Interim Clinical lead. Email:

Dr Elaine Spalding, Consultant Physician. Email:

Closing date: Midnight Sunday 26th July

NHS Scotland is committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our workforce and eliminating unlawful discrimination. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best. To this end, NHS Scotland welcomes applications from all sections of society.

NHS Scotland is committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our workforce and eliminating unlawful discrimination. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best. To this end, NHS Scotland welcomes applications from all sections of society.

NHS Highland is geographically the largest of the 14 regional boards of NHS Scotland, covering an area of 12,500 square miles, across Highland and Argyll & Bute.

We employ over 10,700 people, making us one of the biggest employers in the area. As an organisation, we make a very significant contribution to the local economy.

Our staff are also important members of our communities. Our greatest asset is our workforce, and the way we go about our work comes from the values and behaviours we demonstrate on a daily basis. As a board we strive to ensure the environment is conducive to nurturing a positive culture, supported and delivered through our NHS and social care values.

Care and compassion Dignity and respect Openness, honesty and responsibility Quality and teamwork