Five doctors recently took up post as part of a new pilot project which aims to develop the skills and experience of recently qualified GPs in caring for older people.
The doctors (also known as GP Fellows) will provide support to a number of local GP Practices, develop strong links with staff in our four community hospitals and assess patients referred to the Frailty Unit at Forth Valley Royal Hospital. This varied new role will enable them to work closely with primary care colleagues in the community as well as hospital-based clinicians involved in the care and treatment of older people.
Miss Tracey Gillies, NHS Forth Valley’s Medical Director, said: “This new pilot has been developed in line with the principles of the recent Greenaway Review of post graduate medical training which aims to broaden the general aspects of training in order to ensure that the medical workforce is able to meet the future health needs of people across Scotland.
“We have been working closely with NHS Education for Scotland to develop the new training programme for these GPs and look forward to seeing this important new role develop over the coming months.”
A number of GPs have also being recruited to develop similar roles in NHS Fife.
Back row (L – R) Dr Scott Williams (Clinical Lead, Stirling Community Health Services), Dr Leslie Cruikshank (Clinical Lead, Falkirk Community Health Services), Paul Treon (GP Fellow), Robert Wilson (GP Fellow) and Steve Beattie (GP Fellow)
Front row (L-R) Miss Tracey Gillies (Medical Director), Dr Liz Millar (Consultant in Ageing and Health), Natalie Sanzone (GP Fellow) and Julie Thewlis (HR Manager, Medical Workforce)
