Celebrating rural doctors delivering urgent and unscheduled care close to home
PSD Scotland is celebrating Dr Andy Barlow from Lochgilphead Medical Centre, who has been awarded the Rural and Remote Health Credential in Unscheduled and Urgent Care via the Recognition Route.
Gaining the General Medical Council (GMC)‑approved credential marks an important milestone for a community that sits outside the rural general hospital model, whilst continuing to provide a vital frontline role in urgent and unscheduled care.
The credential recognises the significant contribution rural doctors make and supports the delivery of safe, high-quality, patient-centred care close to home. This award also reflects growing engagement with the credential, with further participation across both the Recognition and Learner Routes helping to strengthen workforce sustainability and capability in rural and remote care.
Dr Barlow shares his reflections on the credential and about delivering urgent and unscheduled care close to home, together with Dr Stan Kielczewski, Rural GP Hybrid Fellow – also of Lochgilphead Medical Centre. Dr Kielczewski is currently undertaking the credential via the Learner Route, demonstrating a proactive approach to building sustainable rural workforce capacity and capability for the future.
Applications open
Doctors across Scotland who provide unscheduled and urgent care in remote and rural areas are invited to apply for the next cohort of the General Medical Council (GMC)‑approved credential. The next recognition route cohort is due to start in August 2026, with submission of applications open until Friday 17 July 2026.
Developed in partnership with the GMC, the credential aims to provide a supportive educational framework; equipping doctors with enhanced skills in leading, delivering, and coordinating unscheduled and urgent patient care closer to home.
By assuring doctors’ learning against a clearly defined set of capabilities, the credential offers assurance to both clinicians and to employers responsible for the delivery of high‑quality care. Ultimately, this strengthens services for rural, remote, and island communities and helps reduce geographic disparities in access to urgent and unscheduled healthcare.
Find out more
- Find out more and apply to undertake the credential before 17 July 2026.
- Visit Turas to learn more about the credential – and the Learner and Recognition Routes.
- Register for Turas now (if you do not already have an account).
- Email PSD Scotland’s Credential team at nes.ruralremotecredential@nhs.scot
