NEWS AND VIEWS
RCGPNI WELCOMES MINISTER’S
ANNOUNCEMENT 4 FEB 08
We warmly welcome the fact that the
minister has announced his proposals for a new Regional Health
and Social Care Board and five Local Commissioning Groups. We have
long been of the view that the most effective and efficient
use of resources and the best health outcomes can only be achieved
by a partnership between patients, professionals and politicians.
We believe that this plan now provides an opportunity to move
forward, continually improving the health experience and
quality of service for everyone in our community. The Royal College
of General Practitioners will continue to promote the high quality
care that every patient deserves
New NI Chairman Appointed
Dr David Johnston, MSc FRCGP, chair of the NI Council was
appointed on 12th November 07. David was an Executive
officer of NI Council for the previous 3 years and was chair-elect
from 06 – 07. He is a full time GP in Maine Medical Practice,
Cullybackey, Co Antrim. He is married to Sally Ann and has
three sons. He has special interests in pre-hospital immediate
medical care, out of hours primary care and rural medcine. He is a
Clinical Director of Dalriada Urgent Care, an out of hours primary
care provider covering the north eastern corner of Northern
Ireland. He has been a GlaxoWelcome research fellow with the
University of Ulster and was involved in researching rural General
practice in Northern Ireland. He has also been involved with a
number of community groups and currently chairs a local community
regeneration trust, Gracehill Old School Trust.
RCGP NI would like to extend their
sincere thanks and gratitude to Dr Jeni McAughey for all of her
work and dedication as Chair of Council from 2004-2007
2 New Fellows for Northern
Ireland – Congratulations to the following members who
have just been awarded Fellowship of the College
- Dr Fergus Donaghy (2008)
- Dr Chris Hall (2009)