The growing uncertainty surrounding the future of a Perthshire GP practice has been given a national voice.
At the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday, Perthshire North MSP John Swinney revealed that many in the Invergowrie area have contacted him over concerns about ongoing health services for local people.
Mr Swinney also urged the health secretary to reveal what encouragement he could give to NHS Tayside to consider taking over the practice.
Invergowrie Medical Practice patients were told in February the health facility would shut permanently on June 16.
An inability to recruit following retirements at both the Ancrum and Invergowrie practices has now left a single GP managing both practices.
That GP did not feel that this was safe or sustainable, so they chose to resign from the Invergowrie contract.
The announcement of the closure was met with concern from patients and local politicians.
Carse of Gowrie councillor Alasdair Bailey launched a petition which successfully galvanized local support to keep the practice open, with 566 signatures.
He pointed out a lack of adequate direct bus routes to the other nearest GPs, such as Errol 10 miles away, and better accessibility for elderly residents as key reasons for it to remain.
The petition was presented to the chief officer of Health and Social Care at Perth and Kinross Council on Tuesday.
Commenting after the parliament meeting, Mr Swinney said: “Concerned constituents have raised with me the future of GP services in Invergowrie given the uncertainties that exist.
“They have asked me to encourage NHS Tayside to be fully involved in finding a solution.
“The practice has more than 1,800 patients registered.
“I took the opportunity to question the health secretary, Michael Matheson MSP, in the Scottish Parliament today.
“I asked the health secretary what encouragement he could give to NHS Tayside to consider directly providing GP services in Invergowrie, because of the uncertainty about GP provision.
“I want to see that convenient access to GP services is provided, particularly to elderly and vulnerable residents, given transport issues to Dundee and other parts of Perthshire.”
The cabinet secretary said that any practice that wants to change access to GP services in a local health board area, should go through a process of engaging with the health board, in order to ensure that patients in the practice area have access to a GP as and when is necessary.
Mr Swinney added: “The cabinet secretary made clear he will encourage NHS Tayside to take proactive action in liaising with the practice to ensure that the concerns regarding access to GP services, particularly transport issues, are taken forward in order to ensure that appropriate measures are in place, in order that local constituents can access a GP.
“I hope that NHS Tayside and the practice are able to work together to protect the vital services for my constituents, particularly the elderly and vulnerable.”
The NHS taking over operations is one of five options currently being considered by a new group comprising NHS Tayside senior members and Perth and Kinross and Dundee health and social care partnerships.
The four other options include another GP practice taking over the practice contract, merging with another independent practice, merging with one of the two Dundee practices already operated directly by NHS Tayside and closing the practice before dispersing patients to other GPs.
The outcome of the options appraisal will be presented to Perth and Kinross and Dundee Integration Joint Board.
As practice contracts are held at health board level, the final decision on the option or options to be taken forward will be made by NHS Tayside.
The NHS Tayside spokesperson added: “NHS Tayside, Dundee Health and Social Care Partnership and Perth and Kinross Health and Social Care Partnership are working together to ensure that patients registered at Invergowrie Medical Centre will have continued access to GP and primary care services from June 16, 2023.
“Patients will be kept fully informed of the final arrangements which will ensure they can access safe and sustainable primary care services.”
