The Doctor

I studied medicine at The University of Dundee and spent one year at The University of Glasgow, studying for my BSc in Medical Science. Dundee was an excellent university to learn the craft of medicine and I still feel very fortunate to have studied there. A strong focus on Primary Care was always part of the curriculum and this surely had a lasting effect on my final career choice. My time in the Hawkhill Medical Practice Dundee and Port Ellen Practice Islay created fond memories and a lasting desire to be a GP.

My house officer jobs were based back in my home town of Glasgow. I remain very proud to have been trained in the old Victoria Infirmary Glasgow and Yorkhill Hospital for Sick Kids. 

My first five years of specialty training were in paediatric and adult general surgery in the south east faculty. I was always incredibly impressed with the hard work and dedication of surgeons of all specialties and learnt many of the practical skills that I can still rely on today.

During a hiatus from clinical work, and when working towards a further higher degree in surgical research, I realised that choosing a career that was based in a rural setting was important and that rewarding patient relationships was what ultimately made me happy at work. I resigned from the Higher Surgical Training Programme and applied for my General Practice Training Programme in The Scottish Borders. I always knew that I wouldn’t be content in life unless I was surrounded by the hills and heather and able to have a good blether with my patients. Working in surgery in city hospitals was never going to afford me that time or space.

My GP training was based out of the fantastic Borders General Hospital and supervised by the GPs of St Ronans Practice, Innerleithen. To this day I remain very good friends with my old supervisors and continue to work in the Out of Hours Service at the BGH.

I completed my GP training and immediately accepted an offer to become GP Partner at Biggar Medical Practice. I had an eventful and educational 5 years at BMP where I was able to hone my craft as a GP with the help of the wonderful patients and the senior partners of the practice. 

For a 10-month spell in 2018 I was clinical director for Out of Hours Care in NHS Borders. This was a challenging post which laid bare the enormous challenge facing the NHS in providing high quality primary care to an increasing and ageing population. Due to rising workload, and challenges in my partnership, I was unable to keep splitting my attention between both posts. I stepped down from the CD role to focus solely on my NHS partnership. 

Having always been very motivated and driven to meet my own goals, I was uncomfortable with the practice style I was forced to adopt as a consequence of the COVID pandemic and the NHS partnership model. It simply didn’t allow me to spend time with my patients and build the friendships which British general practice had heralded for decades previously.
So, being unhappy with my work, I decided to make a change and build a career based on my own personal skills and desires.

Come April 2022 I opened The Cademuir Clinic in Peebles. The Scottish Borders first Independent GP. A practice created to serve primarily the people of my home town and the wider Borders. The motto of the clinic being “the time you need, everytime you need it.” Or put another way, I just want to be an old-fashioned GP!

While growing the clinic into a full-time service, I continue to work for the NHS in Moffat Medical Practice along with occasional Out of Hours shifts at the BGH.

At the same time in April 2022, I became the GP to the patients of The State Hospital Carstairs, looking after some of the most unwell and vulnerable patients in our society. Working with a dedicated team in a challenging high secure environment has been, and continues to be, a fantastic privilege and extremely rewarding.

In a wish to try and contribute to the local community, I accepted an invitation to be the GP to Peebles Rugby Club. Every other Saturday on my day off I can be found at The Gytes. Go Pees! Having passed my Scottish Rugby Level 3 SCRUMCAPS course, I now also provide medical care for the SRU at SRU professional matches and training. 

Of course, the journey from NHS GP registrar to GP Partner, to Independent GP and business owner has been challenging. I couldn’t have done it without the sure and steadfast support of my wonderful wife Elizabeth. Her unwavering confidence in my ability to support our family has been the bedrock from which everything has grown, including The Cademuir Clinic. She now balances running a family of 5 and running the clinic administration. I would be lost without her!!

So that is my potted history. Along the way I have also served in Her Majesty’s Army as a Medical Officer, completed an Ironman, summited Mont Blanc, Served on The Royal College of GP Scottish Council and coach basketball to kids in Peebles (Go Titans!) All things you can ask me more about if you choose to come and see me…….oh and fishing too!

I look forward to seeing you soon.

Yours aye,
Ross

Dr Ross Stewart
BSc MedSci, MBChB, MRCS (2011), MRCGP