We explore the realities of working in a general practice in a remote rural area of northwest Scotland, highlighting the unique geography, distances from hospital care, and the way these factors shape clinical work, patient access, and continuity of care. Andy Vickerstaff, the practice manager for Aultbea and Gairloch Medical Practice, describes how long travel distances profoundly influence decisions about referrals, out-of-hours provision, and the breadth of services the practice must offer - including roles that extend beyond medicine into social support and immediate care. He contrasts their experience during and after the pandemic with more urban practices, noting how telephone consulting became embedded, while video consulting (NHS Near Me) never fully took off locally. Accessibility remains strong in their setting, avoiding the pressures for access to care seen in larger practices and enabling a high degree of continuity, particularly in palliative and end-of-life care.
The discussion also examines digital systems, AI, and the need for better national guidance. Andy describes using AI tools like Copilot for administrative tasks - including translating and summarising complex foreign medical records - which he sees as transformative. We rue the demise of SCIMP, once a key Scottish body providing authoritative guidance on coding and information management. Andy argues that with all Scottish practices moving to Vision, there is a major opportunity to re-establish centralised, consistent IT and coding guidance to avoid a fragmented approach across 14 health boards. Finally, he reflects on practical IT challenges for independent practices, identifying primary care finance and payroll systems - especially NHS pension processing - as an area urgently in need of a modern digital solution.
Aultbea & Gairloch Medical Practice
Primary Care Informatics – formerly known as SCIMP
Guide to Scotland's North-West Highlands: where to stay, places to visit and great walks
Culture: Beard, sandals, stethoscope
Medics of the Glen (needs STV account)
Will ye gang tae the Highlands, Leezie Lindsay
Donald Where's Your Troosers

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