Dr. René A. Beguelin

Dr. Beguelin began his medical training at St. Mary’s Hospital Medical School in London, graduating from the University of London in 1978. After completing his studies, he held several junior positions across surgery, medicine, obstetrics, and gynaecology before returning to Gibraltar in 1980. There, he served as a Surgical Senior House Officer at St. Bernard’s Hospital. In 1981, he was appointed as the seventh General Practitioner (GP) in the Group Practice Medical Scheme (GPMS), a role he held with distinction until November 2001.

 

Over his more than 21 years of dedicated public service in Gibraltar, Dr. Beguelin served in various capacities, including Prison Medical Officer, Police Surgeon, GP to Mount Alvernia Elderly Care Home, locum Port Medical Officer, and locum Acting Consultant Psychiatrist. During a sabbatical in London from 1990, he furthered his expertise by studying and receiving psychoanalysis, while also working as a Registrar in Elderly Psychiatry and Adult Psychiatry.

 

In addition to his medical practice, Dr. Beguelin has contributed significantly to the community. He has served as Surgeon Lieutenant to St. John’s Ambulance Brigade and Honorary Secretary to the British Medical Association’s Gibraltar Division. He is an active board member of several charities, including Diabetes Gibraltar, Clubhouse Gibraltar, and Gibsams.

 

Dr. Beguelin is also committed to public education. He has lectured in schools on substance abuse as part of the Royal Gibraltar Police drugs information campaign and later collaborated with the Education Department on similar initiatives.

Currently, Dr. Beguelin continues to provide locum cover for the Royal Gibraltar Police as a Forensic Medical Officer and Port Medical Officer in the absence of Dr. Salem. He is also a valued member of the College Clinic General Practice team.

 

In recognition of his services to health, Dr. Beguelin was awarded an OBE (Order of the British Empire). Additionally, in 2017, the Gibraltar Parliament honoured him with a Medallion of Distinction. He is actively involved in medical governance, serving on the Gibraltar Medical Ethics Committee, Gibraltar Mental Health Board, and the Gibraltar Mental Health Tribunal.