A Peek into the Past
Dunblane Medical Practice in the 60s & 70s described by retired GP, Dr Ian Crowther
I joined two GP partners in September 1964 as ‘assistant with a view to partnership’ at £1200 a year and became full partner after 3 years.
The practice list was approx 3,500 patients at that time and surgery was at St Mary’s Cottage, Perth Road, the home of the senior partner. We had 2 consulting rooms, a waiting room and 2 lady receptionists. There were 2 midwifes who were also District Nursing Sisters (triple duty nurses).
Surgeries were at 8.30am each morning (including Sat) and again at 6pm. There were no booked appointments. The house calls were shared by all three partners and at that time, we had about 6 private patients.
I was on-call out of hours every Monday & Friday and the weekends were shared. Our wives had to take the calls when we were out which was very onerous.
Lacerations were stitched in the surgery. Also ear syringing, blood checked and urine microscopy was done. We had a small portable ECG machine.
We had 6 weeks holiday a year and when one partners was away, we were on duty alternate nights for call outs.
Other clinics and duties: • Ante-natal Clinic once a week and we attended all home deliveries.
• Queen Victoria School sick parade 3 mornings a week!
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84 Braco Surgery 3 afternoons a week.
Immunisation Clinic once a month held at Nurse’s House behind the Police Station.
Police work - drunk drivers had to have a full medical examination and produce a urine sample.
Home visits - chronic elderly visits about 30-40 patients each.
Regular weekly visits to 2 Masonic Homes and Viewforth Nursing Home in
Training Practice. Since 1952 we had been a training practice for young doctors who stayed with us for a year and a few eventually became partners.
More new houses in the 70s increased the Practice list to around 5-6000 patients and we took on a new female partner in 1977.
The practice staff were increased and patient consultations were typed into their notes. An appointment system was introduced with an open surgery at 11am for extra patients to be seen.
It was not until 1987 that we moved into the purpose built Health Centre which is presently in use.
To advertise in thewire t. 07720 429 613 e.
the.wire@btinternet.com
Old School Dining Building & below converted into the Well Place Surgery (now the Chemist)
Bridge of Allan.
In 1969 we engaged a further partner and found new premises at Well Place where we converted an old school dining building into a surgery. This was rented by us annually.
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