Former Falklands chief medical officer appointed to NHS Shetland

NHS Shetland has appointed a former chief medical officer for the Falkland Islands as its new medical director.

Dr Roger Diggle is expected take up the three-day-a-week post in December and will work in a clinical role for a further two days a week.

The medical director is seen as important because he can provide medical advice and input to the board as well as leading medical and dental staff in the provision of primary and secondary care and developing those services.

NHS Shetland chief executive Ralph Roberts said: “I am delighted that we have been able to appoint Dr Diggle to this post. The role of medical director is key for any board and I look forward to working with him. Dr Diggle brings a range of experience across both primary and acute care and having worked in the Falklands, fully recognises the issues with remote healthcare.”

Dr Diggle, who worked as a GP in Berkshire prior to being made chief medical officer in the Falklands in 1991, said: “I am really looking forward to moving to Shetland with my wife and becoming members of the community. The issues facing Shetland with regard to delivering high quality healthcare in a remote setting are similar to those we faced in the Falkland Islands. I am confident that I can work with the all the clinical staff, the chief executive and members of the health board to ensure the best possible healthcare for the Shetland community.”