Dr Bill Martin is a former co-chair of SNUG and has recently moved on after a long spell in general practice, during which he experienced progressive computerization of all aspects of general practice. We discussed why he still thinks general practice is a great career choice, why he thinks many of the changes which have happened during the pandemic will stick, and why we will have to be careful about “opening up” surgeries again. He reflects on impending GP systems changes, having been through it all before, and recommends lots of planning as many systems are replaced over the next few years. He decides how he might spend a billion pounds on improving GP IT in Scotland, and we discussed whether general practice might benefit from having a spin doctor at the moment!


We also got on to debating whether he might want to consider running for prime minister and, of course, whether Scotland might beat Ireland at rugby?


Email Alex De Franco [email protected] with any comments on this or other SNUG podcasts.


SNUG regional meetings


BBC News article on face to face GP consultations on Scotland.


Downing Street parties: How many wine bottles fit in a suitcase, and other questions


Summary of The Machine Stops


Read The Machine Stops here.


Neil Young: Rockin’ in the free world