Consultants… Heatmaps paint a worrying picture… 15 Jun 2023 We’re now way beyond crisis point within our NHS – I know saying this to you, my colleagues, is like telling you grass is green or water is wet, but…
General Practice… When you’re full, you’re full 9 Jun 2023 Working as GPs, we have a pretty unique role. Some of the time – when the job is as good as it can be – it’s hugely satisfying work. But…
General Practice… GP empowerment; change through leadership 7 Jun 2023 I do worry about what is happening to GPs. Currently what I am worrying about is our ability to continue to be leaders. Workload stress and the general toil of…
General Practice Update on 2018 contract and transitionary services 4 Apr 2023 I have some sympathy for the new Cabinet Secretary for Health; it is, in my view, the second hardest job in the Scottish Government. He will be on a steep-learning…
General Practice Fighting to survive 17 Mar 2023 Back in 2017 the Scottish Government and the BMA had the collective foresight to agree and develop the first wholly Scottish GP contract. A contract that we believed would better…
Consultants… Chair’s Festive message: Now is the time for a national conversation on the future of the NH… 28 Dec 2022December 28, 2022 This is my first opportunity to deliver a message at this time of year – both on behalf of, and directly to doctors in Scotland. It’s something, like all aspects…
General Practice… Regional BMA Scotland GP Open Meetings 1 Nov 2022November 1, 2022 The BMA is holding a series of regional open meetings on the evenings of 15, 16 and 17 November to update practices on developments on the 2018 GMS contract; contract…
General Practice… Twin threats facing general practice. 31 Oct 2022 It used to be that around this time of year, perhaps slightly earlier, the NHS in Scotland would get its winter readiness plans underway – whether that’s additional funding, planning…
General Practice… GP wellbeing survey 26 Oct 2022 “Wellbeing” has been something of a buzzword over recent years in Scotland’s NHS – particularly since health and care workers slogged their way through a crippling pandemic. I often wonder…
General Practice… Recruitment, retention, wellbeing and rediscovering the joy of being a GP. 15 Sep 2022September 16, 2022 The recruitment and retention crisis in General Practice is something we are all familiar with, a topic on the agenda for the past decade at least. However, it is really…
Consultants… The Case of the Missing Consultation 24 Aug 2022August 25, 2022 Pension Contributions – this affects your pay! There’s long been a tradition of ‘summer reading’ and after we received the interim response from the Scottish Public Pension Agency (SPPA) to…
General Practice… Visa issues could force doctors out 11 Aug 2022 When I came to Scotland seven years ago as a transfer student from Malaysia to continue my medical training, I expected to enjoy my time here. What I didn’t expect…