Uncategorized Failure to fully fund pay uplift is deeply damaging to primary care 2 Feb 2023February 3, 2023 With inflation running at incredibly high levels, pay and the cost of living has been causing a great deal of concern for many people across Scotland. GPs and the various…
Uncategorized We need change to avoid perpetual crises and maintain an equitable, universal NHS 11 Jan 2023January 11, 2023 I want to start with a traditional happy new year wish to you, but right now it looks like it is not going to be a good one for Scotland,…
Uncategorized Tipping point reached for GPs ahead of Scottish Conference 25 Nov 2022November 25, 2022 As we approach the Scottish LMC conference – where GPs will gather from across Scotland to discuss key issues - I wish that I could be more positive with you,…
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…
Uncategorized Supporting each other through tough times 13 Sep 2022September 13, 2022 I and others in BMA Scotland have written several blogs about the importance of doctors’ “wellbeing” in recent years; highlighting the importance of the topic and the resources that doctors…
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…
Uncategorized ARM 2022 – Reflections from Scotland 4 Jul 2022 I should start this blog by saying that I wasn’t physically at the ARM. An on-call weekend and absent colleagues meant that I had to stay in Edinburgh, dipping in…
Uncategorized Ludicrously complex tax setup sees doctors “unjustly” Hit with massive tax bills 27 Jun 2022June 27, 2022 At the BMA's ARM Dr Alan Robertson - member of the BMA Pensions Committee and BMA Scotland's Consultant Committee spoke in favour of motion 16 - and for recycling of…
Uncategorized National Care Service Bill: Some positives for GPs 24 Jun 2022 At the moment good news is not something that is in plentiful supply, particularly for those of us working in the NHS across both primary and secondary care, so when…