Fay Johnstone

Fay is an experienced general practice manager who played an important role in supporting primary care and medical education in Edinburgh.

Fay began her career in healthcare administration as practice manager of the White GP Practice at Sighthill Health Centre. 

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, she joined the University's Department of General Practice as the manager of the MacKenzie Medical Centre, where she worked closely with leading academic GPs, including Professor John Howie, Professor David Weller, Professor Brian McKinstry and Professor Karen Fairhurst. 

At MacKenzie Medical Centre, Fay was responsible for organising rotas, systems and policies that allowed the practice to run effectively while many doctors were engaged in university teaching and research. She also helped organise events and supported the training and development of GP trainers in the local area. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she implemented a wide range of organisational changes to maintain patient care.

I always enjoyed the unique challenge of my position, balancing running a busy NHS practice providing services for the local community, with working in a high-profile academic environment alongside such inspiring colleagues – but never forgetting that the patients were at the heart of this, and actively championing and protecting their rights. 

Now retired, Fay is remembered for her commitment to patients, colleagues and students, and for her steady contribution to general practice and medical education.