4 March 2025
After two years of advocacy to improve Urgent and Emergency Care, Dr John-Paul (JP) Loughrey has stepped down from the role of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine’s Vice President for Scotland.
Dr Loughrey, Consultant in Emergency Medicine and Pre-Hospital and Retrieval Medicine, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital Glasgow, was elected to the role of VP in November 2022, after previously serving as Vice Chair Scotland.
Throughout his tenure, Dr Loughrey has meet with numerous policy makers to drive meaningful change in Urgent and Emergency Care, representing not only RCEM’s members and their colleagues in Scotland, but patients too.
He has spoken on behalf of the College in the media, highlighting so called ‘corridor care’, the extremely long wait times patients are experiencing, and the impact this environment has on Emergency Medicine staff.
It comes as his term in the VP role was due to conclude in Spring.
Dr Fiona Hunter has assumed the role and will be supported by Dr Jayne McLaren who was elected as Vice Chair Scotland at the end of last year.
Dr Adrian Boyle, President of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine said, “On behalf of the College and our members, I would like to thank John-Paul for his relentless hard work, dedication, professionalism and determination while advocating on behalf of Emergency Medicine clinicians and patients in Scotland. He has represented the Scottish College membership tenaciously.
“JP has ensured policy makers are acutely aware of every single challenge in A&Es by meeting politicians regularly and offering constructive solutions.
“He has been a fierce campaigner and ambassador, both in the public arena and behind closed doors, in his efforts to future proof the specialty.
“JP will be greatly missed among college staff, and the RCEM community. We wish him all the best for his future endeavours.
“However, we have an excellent replacement in Dr Fiona Hunter who has JP’s deputy and know she in turn will be ably supported by our new Scotland Vice Chair Dr Jayne McLaren. Together they will continue to work tirelessly to advocate and influence on behalf of the EM Speciality, and its patients in Scotland.”
