A practice in Scotland has paid tribute to one of its GP partners, who died in a paddle-boarding accident last week.
Staff at the Whitefriars Green Practice in Perth said they were ‘deeply saddened’ to inform patients of the ‘tragic sudden death’ of Dr Julia Hamilton, who had been a partner at the practice since 1994.
A statement on the surgery’s website said that Dr Hamilton died on Friday last week due to a paddle-boarding accident on the River Spey.
The practice added that Dr Hamilton was a ‘well-loved colleague and friend who was devoted to the care of our patients’.
The statement added: ‘Dr Hamilton was an outdoor enthusiast and her family have derived great comfort that she passed away doing something she loved in a place that was very special to her.
‘We appreciate this news, as it was to us, is a great shock to you all. We are in the process of contacting patients who have an appointment with Dr Hamilton and would ask that you await us contacting you directly as opposed to contacting the practice yourselves.
‘We know you will understand that this is a difficult time for all those who are associated with the practice who are grieving for a dearly loved colleague and friend.’
The practice said it is ‘working hard’ to continue to provide the ‘usual’ high level of patient care.
‘But we would ask for your understanding if you are perhaps not able to see the GP of your choice as soon as you would like whilst we navigate this difficult time together,’ their statement added.
‘We appreciate this may be frustrating but kindly ask that you treat all staff working in the practice with respect as they continue to work at this very sad time.’
In a post on X, Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney, who is the MSP for Perthshire North, said: ‘I am terribly sorry to read this news and extend my sympathy to the family, colleagues and patients of Dr Hamilton.’
Dr Hamilton was originally from Northern Ireland and studied medicine at Queen’s University, in Belfast. Before joining as a partner, she was a registrar with the Whitefriars Green Practice in 1993.
She was the clinical lead in the practice for hypertension, chronic kidney disease and prescribing, and her special interests were family planning (including coil and implanon insertions) and women’s health. She was also involved in supervising medical students.
There will be a book of condolence in the practice’s reception foyer from today (Tuesday 4 June) for patients and colleagues wishing to leave a message.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: ‘Around 11.45am on Friday, 31 May, 2024, we were called to a report of concern for a woman on a paddleboard in the River Spey, near to Aviemore.
‘Emergency services attended however the 57-year-old woman died at the scene. There are not believed to any suspicious circumstances and enquiries are ongoing.’
