Fears that Ayr centre could be closed

Health chiefs have taken the decision to axe one of their out- of- hours cars during the summer months.

One of the four vehicles will not operate for around four months on Monday to Friday evenings because of “decreasing activity”.

An NHS source said that one of the out- of- hours centres could also be affected.

The insider said: “I believe they are intending to shut the Ayr centre Monday to Friday so any people that need to be seen in that area could potentially be asked to go to Crosshouse or Irvine, which is obviously not an ideal situation.

“They’re also putting one of the cars off for four months in the evening shifts, which could make it a lot busier for other cars.”

Pam Milliken, head of primary care and out- of- hours community response services, confirmed the car numbers were dropping to three for the summer months but said no final decision had been made on closing Ayr on weeknights.

She explained : “During the summer months activity within the service decreases and we do not require the same number of cars to undertake home visits. We have therefore removed one car Monday to Friday evening, leaving three cars to undertake home visits across Ayrshire.

“While we have not made any final decision on the future of the AUCS centres based at University Hospital Ayr, University Hospital Crosshouse and Ayrshire Central Hospital, we are aware that on occasion we do not have the numbers of GPs available to work from these centres, while also providing a mobile GP service to perform home visits to patients.

“In order to maintain the home visiting service and two AUCS centres, we may on occasion not offer appointments at one AUCS centre.

“This is based solely on the number of people using the centre and the availability of GPs.

“The GPs working in the service do so on a flexible basis and therefore are able to see patients where it is most appropriate to meet their clinical needs.”