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GP leaders mourn former BMA Scotland chair Dr Brian Keighley

GP leaders are mourning the loss of former BMA Scotland chair Dr Brian Keighley, who died suddenly yesterday morning.

Dr Keighley, who retired from general practice in 2013 and led BMA Scotland until last year, passed away at his home in Balfron in Stirlingshire, aged 67.

During his long career, serving his village as a GP for 38 years, Dr Keighley headed the BMA in Scotland as well as serving on the RCGP Council and the GMC.

Current BMA Scotland chair Peter Bennie said that Dr Keighley ‘made an immense contribution to the health service and healthcare in his lifetime’, both in his BMA leadership role and ‘at the heart of his local community’.

Dr Bennie said: ‘His sage advice, counsel and extensive knowledge of health service issues will be sorely missed. Our sincerest condolences are with Brian’s family and friends at this difficult time.’

RCGP Scotland chair Miles Mack told the BMA that Dr Keighley would be ‘sorely missed’, adding: ‘Brian Keighley was a champion of general practice and a robust defender of its traditions and care.

‘He worked very closely with RCGP Scotland for many years. Under his stewardship, BMA Scotland cemented its reputation as a force to be reckoned with and general practice is the stronger as a result.’

Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said on Twitter: ’So sorry to hear this. I worked with Brian when I was health secretary and he was a strong champion of GPs and the NHS.’

RCGP chair Maureen Baker, also via Twitter, wrote: ‘Very sad news. Brian gave so much to our profession and was a great character! He will be sorely missed.’