Local family doctors David and Vanessa
Whillier have been awarded Fellowships of the Royal College of
General Practitioners (RCGP), the UK’s largest network of family
doctors.
The father and daughter work together at
Woodlands Health Centre in Paddock Wood, Tonbridge.
Fellowship – the highest level of RCGP
membership - is awarded to family doctors deemed by the College to
demonstrate its standards, values and commitment to high quality
general practice. To qualify, David and Vanessa prepared together
for over a year to produce evidence for a rigorous 12-hour
assessment at their practice.
Dr David Whillier has been a GP Partner at the
health centre since 1973. A grandfather of four, he has also been
involved in medical education and during his 28 years as a GP
trainer, has trained 32 GP Registrars.
Dr Vanessa Whillier has been a GP Partner at
the practice for the past six years. A mother of two, she is also a
GP trainer.
Dr David Whillier says: “Preparing for
Fellowship was hard work, but working together with Vanessa really
helped. The practice team have been very supportive. Overall it was
a very worthwhile experience, both personally and
professionally.
“I’ve been a GP for 35 years and I’m still as
passionate about it as when I started. Although there have
been significant changes to the profession over the years, the core
of general practice seems to remain fairly constant – we use our
knowledge and skills to try to help people regain control of their
bodies and their lives. I still get a buzz when this happens.
Mutual trust between doctor and patient is as important now as it
was then.”
Dr Vanessa Whillier says: “Working towards
Fellowship with my father was great – he was a real support.
Surprisingly, we didn’t fall out once, even though it was very
stressful at times. In fact, it actually brought us closer together
in terms of our working relationship.
“I’ve always looked up to my father because
he’s had such a great career and is a fantastic GP. He’s never made
me feel anything else, but being awarded the Fellowship made me
feel that I was his equal, so it was a very positive experience for
me, both personally and professionally.”
Professor David Haslam, President of the RCGP,
said: “I am delighted that David and Vanessa have been awarded
Fellowships, and I hope that their patients will share my sense of
pride in what they have accomplished.”
Ends
For more information, and for images
of David and Vanessa Whillier, please contact Lorna Fletcher in the
RCGP Press Office 020 7344 3136 / press@rcgp.org.uk
Notes to editors
- The Royal College of General Practitioners is the largest
membership organisation in the United Kingdom solely for GPs. It
aims to encourage and maintain the highest standards of general
medical practice and to act as the “voice” of GPs on issues
concerned with education; training; research; and clinical
standards. Founded in 1952, the RCGP has over 27,000 members who
are committed to improving patient care, developing their own
skills and promoting general practice as a discipline.