A look back at events of 2004

July

• July started with worrying news regarding Orkney's health service. According to reports, patients in Orkney are subjected to the oldest and most cramped facilities in the whole of Scotland.
  
  Insult was added to injury when one GP revealed that consultations had to be carried out in a renovated store cupboard. Staff also said that poor conditions were leading to employees resigning, making recruitment "laughably implausible."
  
  Doctors and staff said they may run out of options, which could result in their losing fixed funding.
• A shameful revelation showed that Orkney had the worst record in Scotland for drink-driving. Per head of population, the county has more people prepared to get behind the wheel under the influence of alcohol, than anywhere else in the country.
• It was announced at the start of July that 15 members of staff from Tods of Orkney would be made redundant, after the company was unsuccessful in securing premises to carry on the business. Tod's said that they were unable to to amend the situation and that the job losses were a formality.
• Radical NHS plans were unveiled in July when it was revealed that it could be the end of resident GPs in the North Isles.
  
  Instead, proposals were unveiled which could have seen six-doctor practices based in Kirkwall, with GPs scheduling surgeries with nurses who could be based on the islands.
  
  Within this option, Evie and Rousay would be merged with Dounby and become a three-doctor practice, and South Ronaldsay would become a two-doctor practice, based in St Margaret's Hope, with a nurse out on Hoy. Other options included setting up two three-doctor practices on Sanday and Westray, or a five-doctor practice, based on either of the islands.
  
  The need for such a change was highlighted due to the difficulty in recruiting and retaining GPs; compliance with European Working Time Directive; a pay revision; and, an ageing population in Orkney.
• The new look Stromness Town House opened its doors in late July as part of the Shopping Week celebrations. Having stood empty for a number of years, the town house had been refurbished by the OIC, and has now become home to a range of OIC services.
• Orkney tourist board revealed that the county was enjoying one of its busiest seasons in years. Historical attractions and gift shops saw visitor numbers rise well above average since the beginning of the 2004 tourist season.
  
  It was believed that many British holidaymakers chose to stay in the UK for their summer break because of terrorist activities abroad. This resulted in more people making the trip north to spend their holidays.