HSCP appoints interim head of primary care

“I feel privileged to take on the role of interim head of primary care,” said Fiona. “I am looking forward to collaborating and working closely with all primary care services, especially general practice and dental services and maintaining the existing high standard of services provided to communities across Argyll and Bute.” 

Fiona has worked with general practice since 1990 when she began her career as practice manager for Huntly Health Centre in Aberdeenshire. 

She then moved to Nairn where she was fundholding manager before returning to practice management at Culloden Surgery, Inverness.  

From 2001 to 2016, Fiona was primary care manager for NHS Highland North. She led Highland-wide work on quality and Scottish Patient Safety and North Highland GP Appraisal Programmes.

Her responsibilities included all GMS contractual, finance, enhanced services and sustainability issues relating to the general practices in Caithness and Sutherland, including the oversight and management of three health board-run 2C practices. 

From 2016 to 2024, she was a senior professional management advisor for the Scottish Government Primary Care Directorate. 

In her role, she provided support and advice on a wide variety of areas relating to general practice and primary care, holding a strong interest and focus on rural general practice and was chairperson of the Scottish Dispensing Practice group. 

In that role, she supported and advocated for the role and development of practice managers and administrative staff and led work relating to access and the public’s understanding of general practice. 

Welcoming Fiona’s appointment, Argyll and Bute interim chief officer Evan Beswick said: “I am pleased Fiona has been appointed. She will be an asset to managing primary care services with her extensive management knowledge and professional experience.”