29 October 2008

Dr Mairi Scott appointed to General Medical Council

Dr Mairi Scott, Director of the Professional Development Academy (PDA) at the University of Dundee and an Honorary Consultant with NHS Tayside, has been appointed to the revised General Medical Council. The Council, which will be established on 1st January 2009, will be made up of 12 medical and 12 lay members.

Dr Scott took up her position with the PDA in January of this year. The PDA provides consultancy support and post-graduate development programmes to professionals involved in community-based medical services. She also holds a Senior Lecturer position at the Tayside Centre for General Practice, part of the School of Medicine at the University.

Dr Scott is the immediate past Chair of the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) in Scotland. During her time as Chair she represented General Practice on many working groups within the NHS in Scotland and the Scottish Executive, including the Delivering for Health Implementation Board. She also produced the planning document, Guidance on the Provision of Healthcare in a Community Setting in Scotland for Pandemic Influenza, at the request of the Minister of Health.

She is currently Honorary Secretary of the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges and Faculties in Scotland. Her other roles include Quality Assurance Visitor for Basic Medical Education at the GMC and Medical Member of the UK Postgraduate Medical Education Training Board Appeals Panel.

In addition to this, she continues as an active General Practitioner working with patients at Dundee’s Taybank Medical Centre.

Dr Scott was informed of her appointment in a letter from Sir Graeme Cato, President of the GMC. 'I was delighted to receive Sir Graeme’s letter. My appointment as a member of the newly constituted GMC is a great honour and a great opportunity. In both my front line work as a GP and in my academic work I have always placed the highest priority on ensuring that all members of the medical profession have the knowledge and skills and that they apply and observe the highest standards.'

'In my current role as Director of the Professional Development Academy at Dundee University, I am committed to ensuring that medical schools and postgraduate training provide the educational opportunities that allow students and doctors throughout their careers to become and to remain skilled, competent and committed professionals able to care for their patients to the highest possible standards.'

Dr Scott combines her busy professional life with a full home life. She lives in St Andrews with the youngest three of her five children.

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Roddy Isles
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University of Dundee
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