About us
Welcome from the North East Scotland Faculty. We are a group of volunteer RCGP members who provide local networking, education and support for members across NHS Grampian, including Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Moray, Orkney and Shetland, supporting over 560 RCGP members and their peers.
In addition to supporting local members and initiatives, we have representation on RCGP Scottish Council which develops and takes forward strategy for RCGP Scotland.
In addition to supporting local members and initiatives, we have representation on RCGP Scottish Council which develops and takes forward strategy for RCGP Scotland.
Get involved
The North East Scotland Faculty Board is a group of volunteers elected by members to represent and support local interests. Find out which Board roles are currently available in your Faculty.
Our group holds four board meetings a year, three online and one in-person in Aberdeen, to discuss a range of topics surrounding general practice and what further support could be offered to GPs at all stages of their career.
The group work together to support local networking, education and member engagement, while representing the views of general practice in the North East Scotland region at RCGP Scottish Council and RCGP UK Council.
You are welcome to attend these board meetings as an observer or join the Faculty Board yourself through our annual elections process. Just get in touch at nescotland@rcgp.org.uk if you would like to attend.
- Wednesday 09 September 2026 - online
- Thursday 19 November 2026 - online
Upcoming events
Our board is instrumental in producing a lively programme of events for local members, from localised CPD opportunities to local connection events and celebration evenings, everything is tailored to our members. Follow the RCGP Scotland LinkedIn page or Instagram channel for up to date events and activities in your region or search our list of events below.
North East Scotland events
04 November 2026
The RCGP 1-day SCA preparation course
This SCA preparation course is designed to help ST3s who are preparing to sit their SCA examination. The day will involve our lead facilitator showing you how to structure and manage your consultations to give you the best possible chance of success in the SCA exam.
05 November 2026
Earlier identification and improving palliative and end-of-life care: Using small changes to make a big difference in your practice
Join us for this free, practical and inspiring webinar to discover how small quality-improvement projects and everyday changes can make a meaningful difference for people living with advanced serious illness, those approaching the end of life, and their families and carers. Good palliative and end-of-life care is not delivered by one clinician or through one conversation alone. It is created by the whole general practice team through the people we notice, the questions we ask, the information we record and share, and the simple systems we put in place.
05 November 2026
Faculty Induction webinar
Following the recent governance refresh, this online induction session will consolidate the recent changes to the Board structure, and provide an overview to Faculty Board operations and good practice guidance. Open to new and returning Faculty Board members.
05 November 2026
Introduction to the SCA (free preparation webinar) - Part one
Join us for the first of a two-part series of FREE webinars on the SCA exam. This informative webinar introduces the SCA exam and is led by esteemed professionals Dr Roger Neighbour, Brigadier (Retd) Robin Simpson, Dr Pauline Foreman and Dr Meiling Denney. With extensive experience as examiners and facilitators of successful SCA prep courses for the RCGP, they bring a wealth of knowledge to guide you through this crucial examination.
Celebrating and supporting you
Awards and prizes
Each year we recognise outstanding members working in our faculty and, and we present a range of Faculty awards ave a range of Faculty awards which we present at our celebration event, the Ian Murray Scott. Read more about our awards and prizes and please do contact us if you would like to find out more.
- The Provost Medal, endowed by Professor Sir Lewis Richie, following his term of office as North East Scotland Faculty Provost (2004-07), promotes quality and excellence amongst GP peers by encouraging and recognising their outstanding achievements. The Provost Medal was presented to Dr Peter Watson at the Ian Murray Scott Lecture 2025.
- The Denis Durno Award, presented for recognition of distinguished work in the field of Medical Education in General Practice within the North East Scotland Faculty, was awarded to Dr Lynne MacKenzie at the Ian Murray Scott Lecture 2025.
- The Innovation Award, awarded to recognise outstanding contribution to and leadership of General Practice within the North East Scotland Faculty area, was presented to Dr Naomi Dow and Dr Cath McLaren at the Ian Murray Scott Lecture 2025 for their work on transforming Year 3 Teaching at the University of Aberdeen in response to rapid expansion within the medical school.
- The Sir Lewis Ritchie Award, awarded for the highest combined score obtained from the AKT and SCA exams in the North East Scotland Faculty region, was presented jointly to Dr Sophie Gerring and Dr Andreea Clipa.
- The Ross Taylor Award, awarded to the student with the best performance in terms of academic excellence, professionalism and/or initiative in Years 1 and 2 of the General Practice component of the MBChB programme at the University of Aberdeen, was presented to Ms Sajiyah Zahra at the Ian Murray Scott Lecture 2025.
- The RCGP 1996 Spring Symposium Bursary provides the recipient with up to £1000 in travel and accommodation costs to travel and study the delivery of general practice or teaching and training programmes outwith the Grampian area. In September 2026 this award will be presented to Dr Adrian Crofton.
- The RCGP North East Scotland Faculty Climate Award, presented for actions that foster positive change by better resource use and the promotion of sustainable practices to lessen the environmental impact of our daily work in primary care, was awarded to Walk da Rock, Shetland in September 2024.
For more RCGP awards and prizes information, please visit our dedicated awards page or contact the North East Scotland Faculty.
RCGP Scotland Initiatives
In partnership with the Scottish Government, RCGP Scotland has developed a trio of initiatives that are available to our members to support your professional development.
- Thrive in First5
- Mid-Career Matters
- Certificate in the Management of Problem Drug Use
RCGP Fellowship
If you've been a member of the College for five years or more, we encourage you to consider applying for Fellowship – the College's highest membership grade.
Fellowship is a mark of distinction, awarded in recognition of significant contributions to medicine, particularly within general practice. It recognises your commitment to the profession and the impact you have made throughout your career.
There is no fee to apply, and applications are submitted through a straightforward online process. Full details on eligibility and the application process can be found on the RCGP Fellowship webpage.
As a valued member of the College, this may be an opportunity worth considering. If there is anything about the process that you are unsure about, or if you would like further information, please contact your Faculty Support Officer.
We encourage you to explore this opportunity and celebrate your professional achievements by applying for Fellowship.
RCGP Mentoring
Connect. Support. Grow.
RCGP Mentoring offers a wide range of free resources to help you navigate the mentoring process, supporting you in your role as a mentee or mentor and helping to ensure that your mentoring relationships are rewarding, productive, and enjoyable.
Meet your faculty
Your Faculty Board is elected by members to represent and support local interests. We are a welcoming and inclusive group, bringing together individuals from a wide range of career stages and backgrounds.
This diversity of experience enables us to ensure that a broad range of voices are heard, and that our work reflects the needs of our entire membership.
We also value the opportunity to connect socially and build a strong community. You are very welcome to join us at a future Board meeting to meet the team or keep an eye out for our next social event - we would love to see you there.
- Chair - Dr Douglas Naismith
- Provost - Dr Elizabeth Barr
- Secretary - Dr Chris Provan
- Treasurer - Dr Stuart Shand
- Vice Chair - Dr Margaret Denison
- SC Rep - Dr Margaret Denison
- SC Rep - Dr Grant Rutledge
- UKC Rep - Dr Douglas Naismith
- UKC Deputy Rep - Dr Stuart Shand
- First5 Lead - Dr Stuart Shand
- GP Registrar Leads - Dr Hannah Kumar, Dr Nura Ali and Dr Ka Wei
- Climate & Sustainability Rep - Dr Deepa Shah
- IMG Lead - Dr Mary-Jennifer Anyika
- UG Med School Rep - Dr John McKeown
FB Members
- Dr Laura Muirhead
- Dr Shona Bennett
- Dr Peter Watson
- Dr Alasdair Forbes
- Dr Adrian Crofron
- Dr Shirley Laird
- Dr Nkorika Chiamaka Ilechukwu
Observers
- Dr Monica Milne, NES rep
- Dr Emma Houghton, AMD and Deputy RO for Primary Care, NHS Grampian
- Dr Mishaim Bhana, LMC Rep
- Patient Rep - Ms Sue Kinsey
- GP Soc President - Ms Lucy Jefford (President)
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