Medical alumnus makes historic first

A Dundee alumnus has been named the youngest ever chairman of the Royal College of General Practitioners and the first from an ethnic minority.

Originally from Uganda, Mayur Lakhani graduated MBChB in 1983. He arrived in Britain in 1971 after being exiled from his country.

Commenting on his appointment he said, "I hope this sends out the right signals. This is not a tokenistic appointment, but a positive message. It speaks volumes about how the profession is changing and moving on. I stood on a platform of reform and to champion new standards for patients. I feel very strongly that it is time for the profession of general practice to reassert itself."

In his new role Mayur will be leader of 20,000 members, half the UK's GP workforce, but he plans to stay closely in touch with the day to day realities of general practice, saying, "I am keen to keep my hand in with the essence of general practice. It is what I have always loved. If you had asked me would I be with the college 15 years ago, it wouldn’t have occurred to me. But I have always had a passion about health standards, and the two roles go hand-in-hand."