RCGP Scotland welcomes Joint Chairs

RCGP Scotland has today welcomed Dr Chris Williams and Dr David Shackles as Joint Chairs. Together they will lead the work of the College in Scotland over the next three years and take over the role from Dr Carey Lunan, following completion of her term of office.

Dr Williams and Dr Shackles are both practicing GPs and bring a wealth of combined experience to the role. Dr Chris Williams currently works as a salaried GP in Grantown-on-Spey and has been a GP for the past nine years. Over his career, he has worked across the Highlands and Islands in both GP practices and the Out of Hours service. Dr Williams has particular interests in rural general practice and IT.

Dr David Shackles is a practicing GP Partner in Perth, where he has worked for 26 years. Alongside his clinical practice, Dr Shackles also works as a GP Trainer helping to build the next generation of the GP workforce. David has a special interest in improving the interfaces of care, which help to streamline the delivery of care and improve the patient experience.

The commencement of Dr Shackles and Dr Williams joint term of office coincides with an exceptional period for general practice as GPs are preparing to help roll out the AstraZeneca vaccine to their most vulnerable patients, with GPs in some areas already beginning to vaccinate those over the age of 80.

Commenting on starting their term of office, Dr Chris Williams said:

“I am honoured to take up this post at such a crucial time for our profession. The COVID-19 pandemic has placed enormous strain on general practice, which has never stopped delivering care to those patients who require it throughout this period. I have never been more proud to be a GP and I look forward to representing our members as we continue to support our patients through the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.”

Dr David Shackles added:

“The challenges facing general practice, which sits at the frontline of the NHS, are considerable and have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. As we look towards the coming years it is vital that general practice is given the tools that it needs fairer to ensure that we can continue to deliver the highest standard of care for our patients. I look forward to representing the voice of general practice over the next three years and doing all I can to support our profession.”

Dr David Shackles and Dr Chris Williams will be joined by Dr Catriona Morton in the role of Deputy Chair (Policy) for RCGP Scotland. Dr Morton is currently a GP Partner in a Deep End GP Practice in Edinburgh and has a particular interest in tackling health inequalities.  

Further information

(For media only)

Media requests to Lizzie Edwards, Policy and Campaigns Manager.

Tel: 07787 216842

lizzie.edwards@rcgp.org.uk

Notes to editor

RCGP Scotland represents a network of around 5,000 doctors in Scotland aiming to improve care for patients. We work to encourage and maintain the highest standard of general medical practice and act as the voice of GPs on resources, education, training, research and clinical standards.

Dr David Shackles has been RCGP Scotland’s Executive Officer for Interface and Out of Hours for the past 2 years. He is a practising GP partner in Perth, where he has worked for 26 years. David has been involved in GP training since 1996 and still enjoys his role as a trainer. He has worked for NHS Education for Scotland as an Associate Advisor, helping to design and develop educational courses and resources. David has a long involvement with RCGP, being an active member of East Scotland Faculty, representing them at UK Council. Currently chairing the RCGP led Cross-College Interface Group which brings together the interface leads from across the Royal Medical Colleges in Scotland, David also represents RCGP Scotland on the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges and Faculties in Scotland.

Dr Chris Williams has been a GP for the past nine years and is currently working as a salaried GP in Grantown-on-Spey. He has also worked across Highland as a sessional GP including out of hours roles and has worked in Orkney, Moray and Gairloch as part of a remote and rural GP scheme. Chris has been actively involved in RCGP since he was a trainee and has attended Scottish Council for the past seven years. He represents RCGP Scotland on the Scottish Government’s Rural Working Group and is also on the board of the Scottish Rural Medicine Collaborative. Chris is currently Chair of North Scotland Faculty and is RCGP Scotland’s Clinical lead for IT and co-chair of the Scottish Joint GP IT Group.