CHALLENGING TIMES

By Mairi Scott
Contact the author by e-mail at christopher.johnstone@ntlworld.com

The challenges that Bill has faced as Chairman over the previous three years have been many and varied. They might at first seem to have been almost random, but on looking back there is a common theme and logic to what has been happening, an overall progression along a continuum of growth and development. As the incoming chair I feel there are three easily identified topics worthy of a closer look.

The first challenge currently facing RCGP Scotland and its members is how to cope with rapid modernisation and the process of change (nothing new there I hear you say). However, the new contract will engage us in so many unpredictable issues and concerns that we will have to work very hard if we are to embrace the good intentions within it and not get consumed by the detail.

“It must be remembered that there is nothing more difficult to plan, more doubtful of success, not more dangerous to manage than the creation of a new system” Niccolo Machiavelli.

The contract has been designed to help us cope with many of our current problems and will create enormous opportunities to change our established ways of working. I believe that the opportunity to change our working practices is one of the most crucial elements of the contract. This is urgently needed because of the crisis in our workforce.

The second challenge for GP’s and for RCGP Scotland is that the demise of PGEA will bring new educational opportunities for all. GPs will need to learn how to be in charge of their own learning and to embrace reflective practice. GP Appraisal in Scotland has started this process off well. RCGP Scotland will support this at national and at local level and consequently will need to develop educational opportunities suitable for individual doctors based on their specific needs and relevant to them wherever they work (this will be a challenge when we have over 2,600 members).

RCGP Scotland has a plethora of ideas about how to deliver tailored and customised education but as always hard choices will need to be made given our limited resources. I am confident that in this new environment RCGP Scotland will remain at the very heart of educational innovation.

“The best way to have a good idea is to have lots of ideas”, Linus Pauling

The third challenge facing us is a need for clarity. We must be clear in our vision for the future if we are to continue to grow and develop the discipline of general practice. This discipline must include a viable and vigorous academic GP workforce. And yet to see this future in the vague possibilities and promises within the changing NHS, will be impossible if we try and do this in isolation. We must continue to work with other organisations and involve multi-disciplinary groups, government and patients. My predecessor and Scottish Council have spent time and effort ensuring that good relationships and shared understanding exist with many of these groups and especially with NHS Education Scotland, SGPC and the Academic Departments. Once we have our shared vision we can present this concisely, clearly and consistently to the Scottish Executive Health Department and the Scottish Parliament. This is how effective change can be achieved.

RCGP Scotland has a tradition of seeing the subtle possibilities and hidden shadowy futures and then making them a reality, where there are positive gains. We have within our members a wealth of experience, skills and expertise and we have people with imagination who can conceive exciting opportunities and possibilities. We must work together to transform these vague possibilities into our reality and our future.

hoolet is the magazine of RCGP Scotland. It is supported intellectually, financially and emotionally by RCGP Scotland.

This issue maintained by Robert Hallam.