Stevenson Visits Rural Banffshire GP Practice

Banff & Buchan MSP Stewart Stevenson paid a visit to a rural medical practice this week. For the past couple of years, the British Medical Association (Scotland) has offered MSPs the opportunity to spend some time in a local GP practice in their constituency during the summer recess. After receiving extremely positive feedback from both MSPs and the GP practices involved, the BMA repeated the scheme this year.

The purpose of the visit is for MSPs to see first-hand the work of GP surgeries and to discuss the challenges and opportunities currently being faced by GPs and their teams both at a local and at a national level. Dr MacRae at the Gamrie Medical Practice in Gardenstown kindly hosted the visit from Mr Stevenson – which included a mini health-check for the MSP!

Speaking after his visit to the Gamrie Practice, Mr Stevenson said:

“This was an excellent opportunity to see the front line of our NHS.

“It is clear to me that the commitment of GPs to meeting the needs of rural patients is high. Despite the ever increasing call on our GPs’ time, practices such as the one at Gamrie are extremely effective at meeting the needs of patients in their own communities.

“On a lighter note, it confirmed that despite a heavy workload, my blood pressure is still under control!

“I should like to publicly thank Dr MacRae and his team for hosting my visit, which I found very worthwhile indeed.”