The Isle of Coll General Practitioner (GP) is retiring to start a new chapter in her life.
Dr Celine O'Neill, affectionately known as the island's doctor, plans to retire on 31 October 2024. Her retirement marks the end of an era for the close-knit Isle of Coll community, but also the beginning of an exciting journey for Dr O'Neill.
The news of Dr O'Neill's departure has had a profound impact on her colleagues and the local community. Her medical skills, unwavering dedication, and compassion will leave a lasting impression on the many lives she has touched during her career.
Dr O'Neill said: "As the single-handed GP on the island for the past 23 years, it has been an immense privilege to have been able to know and provide medical care and support to the people of Coll, their families and visitors who have placed their trust in me over these years.
"Throughout this time I was fortunate to have been supported by an amazing team within the practice and wider multidisciplinary team who have enabled us to meet many challenges together and deliver such a wide range of care in this remote and beautiful setting.
"The Air Ambulance, Emergency Medical Retrieval Service, Sandpiper Trust, and BASICS Scotland have also been a crucial support. I am particularly grateful to our local Fire and Rescue, and Coastguard Teams for their help in addition to Calmac, Hebridean Air and our couriers for their logistical support.
"Our community is recognised to be enormously resilient, resourceful, and generous - and I am very happy to remain part of this community in a different capacity following my retirement.
"I am looking forward to spending more quality time with family and friends and exploring new pursuits."
The primary focus of Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) is to ensure the continuous delivery of high-quality and person-centred General Practitioner (GP) service on the Isle of Coll.
The HSCP primary care team will collaborate with Coll patient representatives to recruit a new GP. To achieve this objective, comprehensive advertising plans will be devised to utilise medical professional recruitment channels and online digital platforms. This will ensure a broad outreach to potential candidates. The primary care team is actively engaged in developing adverts and media materials to highlight the outstanding work-life balance available on the Isle of Coll. The recruitment adverts will prominently feature the island's picturesque landscapes, inclusive community, wildlife, rugged terrain, and vibrant culture to encourage interest from potential candidates.
Fiona Duff, Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership, Interim Primary Care Manager said:"The HSCP is committed to upholding the provision of excellent GP services for the local community.
"We are saddened to see Dr Celine O'Neill retire. On behalf of the HSCP, I would like to take this opportunity to wish her a long, healthy and happy retirement. Her dedication and passion will leave an indelible mark on both colleagues and patients. Her tireless commitment to her career, and her unwavering support for her colleagues, have been truly inspiring.
"As she begins this new chapter, I hope she finds joy in her well-deserved rest and fulfilment in the adventures that await her. We know she will bring the same enthusiasm to her retirement that she brought to her professional career."
The advertisement for GP recruitment is scheduled to be launched by the end of September 2024.