Lewis Ritchie Explained

Lewis Ritchie
Birth Name:Lewis Duthie Ritchie
Birth Date:26 June 1952
Birth Place:Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire, Scotland
Education:University of Aberdeen
University of Edinburgh
Profession:Medical doctor
Field:General Practitioner

Sir Lewis Duthie Ritchie (born 26 June 1952) is a Scottish medical doctor who worked as a general practitioner (GP) and medical researcher. He is the James Mackenzie Professor of General Practice at the University of Aberdeen and holds honorary professorships at the University of Edinburgh and the University of the Highlands and Islands.

Early life and education

Ritchie was born in Fraserburgh to Sheila Gladys and Lewis Duthie Ritchie.[1] He attended Fraserburgh Academy before going on to study chemistry and medicine at the University of Aberdeen, graduating with BSc and MB ChB (with commendation) in 1978. He received his MD from the University in 1993. In 1982, he graduated from the University of Edinburgh with an MSc in community medicine.

Career

Ritchie was appointed the James Mackenzie Professor of General Practice at the University of Aberdeen in 1992.[2]

In 2012, he was appointed director of Public Health in NHS Grampian.[2] In January 2015, the Scottish Government announced him as the chair of a review into out-of-hours services.[3] Ritchie said that to inform the review he had talked to doctors, patients, ambulance staff and NHS 24 workers.[4] Ten months later, his report made 28 recommendations.[5] [6]

Ritchie retired from practicing medicine in 2012. To mark the occasion he bought the Julia Park Barry, a lifeboat that had been used to save hundreds of people before being taken out of service in 1969.[7] [8] He gifted it to the community.[9]

In 2014, he was appointed chair of Council of the Queen's Nursing Institute Scotland (QNIS).[10]

In 2017, he was named as chair of a group of independent advisers, charged with looking at NHS Tayside's financial difficulties and to report to Scottish Government within a three month period.[11]

In January 2018, he was named as the chair of a review of urgent care services in Skye, Lochalsh and Wester Ross.[12] Interim findings were published a few months later.[13]

Awards and honours

He was made OBE in the 2011 Queen's Birthday Honours. He was elected as a fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 2016.[14]

In the 2011 New Year Honours he was made Knight Bachelor for services to the NHS in Scotland.[15] He was invested on 5 July 2011.[16]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Desert Island Discs . . 9 January 2014 . 9 May 2018.
  2. News: Sir Lewis is appointed Director of Public Health . Buchan Observer . 17 January 2012. 5 May 2019.
  3. News: Out-of-hours care in Scotland to be reviewed . BBC News . 30 January 2015 . 9 May 2018.
  4. News: Nurse chiefs: NHS faces 'round-the-clock' pressure . The Scotsman . 4 August 2015 . 9 May 2018.
  5. News: New blueprint needed for out-of-hours care, review concludes . BBC News . 30 November 2015 . 9 May 2018.
  6. News: The future of healthcare when your GP surgery is shut.... . Helen . Puttick . . Glasgow . 30 November 2015 . 9 May 2018.
  7. News: Lifeboat on course for Grand Peterhead return . Christopher . Rae . . 23 January 2013 . 9 May 2018.
  8. News: RNLI values were key to lifeboat purchase . Buchan Observer . 29 January 2013 . 9 May 2018.
  9. News: Final voyage for Julia Park Barry lifeboat . Buchan Observer . 26 May 2015 . 9 May 2018.
  10. Professor Sir Lewis Ritchie OBE is appointed new Chair of Council . . 14 November 2014 . 9 May 2018.
  11. News: Advisers appointed to tackle NHS Tayside financial 'challenges' . BBC News . 29 March 2017 . 9 May 2018.
  12. News: Review of Skye, Lochalsh and Wester Ross urgent care service . BBc News . 17 January 2018 . 9 May 2018.
  13. News: Out-of-hours improvements at Skye hospital recommended . BBC News . 8 May 2018 . 9 May 2018.
  14. Web site: Fellow: Lewis Ritchie . . 9 May 2018.
  15. News: New Year honours list: knights . The Guardian . 31 December 2010 . 9 May 2018.
  16. News: Arise Prof. Sir Lewis Ritchie . Buchan Observer . 18 July 2011 . 9 May 2018.