Newcastleton GP Howard is named best in the country

Howard Kennedy, who has worked at Newcastleton Health Centre for the last 25 years, picked up the honour at Edinburgh Corn Exchange last week.

The awards – run by the Daily Record, NHS Scotland and the Scottish Government – celebrate health workers willing to go above and beyond the call of duty for the benefit of their patients.

The 57-year-old was awarded the award due to his continuous care for his patients.

He is also the village’s first responder, providing treatment while patients wait for the emergency services.

Dr Kennedy’s nominator said: “The impact Dr Kennedy has on the medical care in this village is unmeasurable. We have one of the lowest rates of admissions and readmissions due to the care that is provided in the home.”

Dr Kennedy, originally from Cumbria, studied medicine in Dundee, and Newcastleton was his first, and so far only, general practice post.

He said: “I always wanted to be a rural GP, and I came here, not expecting to be here for 25 years, to gain some experience and at some point I expected to move on, but Newcastleton kind of grows on you and I have been here ever since.”

He lives in the village with wife Libby and they have three children – Heather, a junior doctor in New Zealand; Morag, a dentist in Glasgow; and Ewan, an outdoor activities instructor.