Bid to save under threat GP surgery
Owners of Greenhills Medical Practice call it a day
A petition has been launched to save an East Kilbride medical centre following the announcement by its owners that they are pulling out.
Central Scotland Tory list MSP Graham Simpson said the decision by the current team of GPs who run Greenhills Medical Practice is a “real concern” while East Kilbride South SNP councillor Geri Gray described it as “devastating” for the local community.
The online petition, launched by patient Alison Mackenzie, calling on NHS Lanarkshire and the Scottish Government to review the decision has already secured hundreds of signatures.
The owners of Greenhills Medical Practice said they felt unable to continue due to a “combination of on-going challenges” including GP recruitment.
NHS Lanarkshire is currently advertising the surgery as a ‘going concern’ to secure new owners before the current team leaves on October 31.
Mr Simpson said: “This is worrying news for the residents of Greenhills.
“A medical practice is the very heart of the local community it serves.
“GPs are the most dedicated of healthcare professionals and it is a real concern that the current owners feel they could no longer maintain the practice.
“The sad fact is this is not a rare case, there is hardly a week that goes by that we are not seeing the frontline staff of the NHS stretched to the limit.
“Doctors and nurses are leaving in their droves as the NHS lurches from one crisis to the next.
“The Scottish Government needs to reverse this decline and show real commitment to the NHS, particularly those GP practices across Scotland that are struggling to recruit GPs, with many having to rely on often expensive locums.
“The fact that NHS Lanarkshire has started a process to find new GPs to take over the running of the practice will give some comfort to the community.”
Councillor Gray added: “I am extremely concerned regarding the continuity of care that will be experienced.
“I am sure I am not the only member of the local area that has these concerns. This will be devastating to the local community, and especially to people who have chronic conditions and mental health issues.”
Petition starter Ms Mackenzie, said: “It’s a fantastic practice with excellent GPs who over the years have developed a patient-friendly service and who know their patients well.
“I would have been lost without them over the last few years and the thought of having to start again with new doctors is upsetting.”
East Kilbride SNP MSP Linda Fabiani said: “The focus now is for the practice to continue as it is, with current staff being retained and to continue providing medical services for existing patients in the area.
“I am communicating with NHS Lanarkshire to seek reassurances over the future of the practice.
“It was only last month that the 2018 Scottish General Medical Services Contract was agreed between the Scottish Government and the BMA.
“As part of the new GP Contract, GP practices will be brought under control of the local NHS Board, with negotiations on entering into leases with private landlords falling under the remit of the local health board. For GP practises who own their premises, an interest-free sustainability loan will be offered.
“As GPs will no longer be expected to provide their own premises, these changes as part of the new contract will undoubtedly make what is happening at Greenhills Medical Practice a thing of the past whilst making the profession more attractive for those wishing to join.”
To sign Alison’s petition go to Change.org and search for ‘Save Greenhills Medical Practice’.