Some of you may already be familiar with Dr McBride – a popular GP here at the practice, known for her caring and considerate manner with her patients. Well, we are pleased to announce that Dr McBride has added yet another string to her bow by becoming YourGP’s resident Occupational Health specialist.

Read on as we catch up with Dr McBride and discuss some of the biggest challenges faced by employers and employees alike.

Tell us a little about your journey to becoming YourGP’s Occupational Health specialist
My journey to Occupational Medicine has been a long and winding road. I left Edinburgh Medical School and began working as a doctor in 2004. After completing my internship as a junior doctor, I undertook several years of surgical training and became a Member of the Royal College of Surgeons. Having gained a wide breadth of experience as a hospital doctor, I pivoted to a career in General Practice.

I qualified as GP in 2017 and have enjoyed the professional satisfaction and work / life balance it provides. However, I became very interested in the relationship between work and health and decided to pursue this by obtaining the Diploma in Occupational Medicine in May 2022.

What do you enjoy most about working in Occupational Health?
I love the diversity of Occupational Health and the opportunity to help patients function in the working environment. I see people from a wide range of occupations and a variety of industries and careers, including office-based jobs and those undertaking safety critical work in complex environments across the world.

What are the biggest challenges you face in Occupational Health?
The biggest challenge is facilitating the needs of both the employer and the employee to try and allow for reasonable adjustments to the working environment which enable continued employment. My role is to consider – is this employee fit to carry out their full hours and duties in their place of work? And if not, how can this be achieved?

Do you think the shift to remote / hybrid working has influenced the health of employees? Has this been positive or negative?
Remote and hybrid working has resulted in both positive and negative effects on the health of employees. With remote working, there has been an increase in the levels of burnout and fatigue where the boundaries between work and homelife have become blurred. On the other hand, it has offered many people a greater deal of autonomy and flexibility which can lead to increased job satisfaction. Balance is essential in work, as it is in most other areas of our lives.

Do you think companies are now more aware of the need to look after employee’s mental health? Do you think there is still some way to go?
Mental health issues are the leading cause of workplace absence. I think there is definitely a greater understanding of the need to be aware of and protect employees’ mental health. Organisations such as the Society of Occupation Medicine and the Health and Safety Executive are invaluable sources of information to employers with regards to highlighting their moral and legal duty to the well-being of their employees. Awareness is increasing and this has resulted in some improvements have happened but there is no doubt there is still a long way to go.

What are the most popular Occupational Health services you offer?
YourGP can give advice on a wide range of management referrals. This can cover a multitude of queries – from safely reintroducing the employee after a period of absence for any number of reasons, to advising on specific conditions such as ADHD in the workplace.

What do you think sets Occupational Healthcare at YourGP apart?
YourGP has been offering Occupational Health advice for a number of years. We offer 45-minute appointments to fully assess the employee and provide a quick turnaround time for reports.

Book an appointment
If you would like to discuss your Occupational Healthcare requirements with Dr McBride, call 0131 225 5656 or email occhealth@your.gp and we’ll be happy to arrange an appointment at a time that suits you.