Our long-serving GP Partner Dr Catherine Cameron will retire at the end of December 2023.
Dr Cameron joined what was then known as ‘the East Wing, Esk Medical Centre’ in Ladywell Way back in January 2000, before becoming a Partner in August 2005.
Over the course of her 24 years’ service to the community, Dr Cameron has provided expert care to a huge number of people in Musselburgh, from newborn babies right up to our very oldest patients. In her role as a GP trainer she’s also helped to train many of Scotland’s next generation of GPs. A large number of them have – we’re sure in no small part due to her mentorship – chosen to stay and serve the community here in Musselburgh as part of our Practice team.
We’re sure that our patients will want to join our team in sending our huge thanks to Dr Cameron, and wishing her a very happy retirement. She has been the best colleague we could ever have wished for and will be much missed by all of us here – and we’re sure by the very many patients she has looked after, over the years.
Dr Cameron says: “I can’t quite believe it’s been 24 years since I started at what was then ‘the East Wing’! General Practice has changed hugely over that time – in many ways it was much simpler! Not all of the GPs used computers, we had handwritten records and prescriptions (of variable legibility) and 7.5 minute appointments (some GPs only had five minutes). Medicine has become much more complex over that time … a lot of people are living much longer, and this means that the nature of the care we provide to older people in particular has changed out of all recognition compared to when I first started as a GP.”
“I feel fortunate to have been able to serve in this community for such a big part of my life as a GP, and will miss my patients and colleagues. Riverside is a good, safe Practice, which is innovative and forward looking with excellent staff – from the call handlers and admin staff, through to all the clinical staff and partners.
“As for me, I’m hoping to spend some more time in the great outdoors, reading, travelling, swimming, yoga-ing, cooking, knitting, learning … the list goes on!”
The Practice would like to gather retirement wishes from patients to pass to Dr Cameron: if anyone would like to send a message to be included please email [email protected] with the subject line ‘Dr Cameron retirement’. You can also can put a note in the feedback box in the main waiting room.
Other team news
We’re delighted that Dr Jeff Scott will be joining the Partnership team at Riverside when Dr Cameron retires, joining Dr Richard Fairclough, Dr Joanna Stenke and Dr Richard Kitto. We’re also pleased to announce that three new GPs – Dr Emily Elston, Dr Megan Hall and Dr Ewan McGregor – will be joining what will now be a 20-strong team of doctors at the Practice, from December through to February.
We hope to appoint a new Head of Strategy and Business Development, medical secretary and phlebotomist soon. Two new call handlers – Yasmin and Sandra – have joined the team in recent weeks. We know our patients will offer all of our new team members a warm welcome.