Douglas McKendrick

Douglas was born and raised in Salisbury, Rhodesia (now Harare, Zimbabwe) and completed his medical degree at the University of Zimbabwe in 1983. In 1987 he moved to South Africa to undertake specialist registrar training in anaesthesia, completing his training at Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town in 1991.

In 1993 he relocated to Botswana to join a private hospital as a Specialist Anaesthesiologist (Consultant Anaesthetist). Alongside his clinical work, he held several leadership and governance roles, including Chair of the Doctors’ Company (Medfam Ltd) and membership of the Board of Gaborone Private Hospital (Healthcare Holdings Ltd). He also served as Chair of the Medical Advisory Committee at Medical Rescue International, advising on and authorising all medical retrievals undertaken by the organisation. Douglas was the founding President of the Botswana Society of Anaesthetists and secured its admission to the World Federation of Societies of Anaesthesiologists (WFSA) in Paris in 2004.

Douglas moved to the UK in 2005, initially settling in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, where he worked within the local health system and enjoyed becoming part of the community. In 2006 he relocated to Elgin to take up what he regarded as his “dream job” at Dr Gray’s Hospital, beginning his long association with the Highlands and Moray.

During his time in NHS Scotland, Douglas held senior leadership roles including Associate Medical Director and Unit Clinical Director, with responsibilities spanning clinical governance, patient safety, perioperative strategy, regulatory compliance and organisational oversight. His work included major service redesign in pre‑assessment and perioperative care, contributions to maternity service review, mentorship and leadership development, and involvement in digital health and Health Web Science. He also contributed to collaborative research and improvement initiatives through centres such as the Alexander Graham Bell Centre. In addition, Douglas played an active role in promoting sustainability and environmentally responsible practice within healthcare, leading theatre‑based recycling initiatives that received national recognition and awards.

Following retirement from clinical practice, Douglas continued to support health systems through strategic consultancy and locum services, helping organisations maintain service continuity and strengthen governance.

Douglas has lived and worked in the Highlands and Moray for many years and looks forward to contributing to the region through his role on the Board.