Derry GP Dr Tom Black has been announced as the new chairman of the BMA’s GP Committee in Northern Ireland (NIGPC).
Dr Black (pictured), who succeeds Dr Brian Dunn, was elected yesterday (28 September 2011) unopposed. He said he was “delighted” to have been elected to this position having been involved in medico-politics through this committee for many years.
The Derry GP added: “General practice is the cornerstone of our health service, with GPs dealing with around 90% of health-related cases.
He said the only way general practice will continue to provide high-quality patient care is to “work in partnership with other healthcare professionals, including our hardworking primary care teams and policy makers.”
“I will continue to work with colleagues at the DHSSPS and Health and Social Care Board to tackle issues such as generic prescribing and commissioning of health care services,” he added.
Dr Black works in an inner city Derry practice with 7,000 patients and four partners. He was a founding member of Ireland’s first GP out-of-hours organisation in 1995.
He has previously acted as vice chairman of the NIGPC and has been a member of the GPC in London over the last three years specialising on contract negotiations and the shift in work from secondary to primary care.
Dr Black paid tribute to outgoing chairman Dr Dunn and commended the “tireless and inspirational manner” in which he conducted the role.
Do you welcome Dr Black’s appointment? Your comments (terms and conditions apply):
“Very much so. I sincerely hope he will be a strong voice for grassroot GPs which we desperately need in these challenging times” – M J Callaghan, Dundonald Medical Centre
