Dates given for surgeries to welcome new patients

HEALTH bosses in Tayside have confirmed the dates when a number of GP surgeries with closed lists will start accepting new patients.

In January, the Tele revealed the worsening GP crisis had left six city surgeries working with closed lists, meaning some people would be unable to register at the same practice as other family members.

Of the six surgeries, one — Stobswell Medical Practice — closed permanently last week.

It is estimated that all five remaining medical centres will be welcoming new patients by May — with one set to bring an end to its closed list policy within weeks.

Park Avenue Medical Centre will take on new patients from March 19, while Maryfield Medical Centre, Whitfield Health Centre and the Nethergate Health Centre are all earmarked to reopen to new patients on April 3.

Terra Nova Medical Centre is set to open its books to new patients by May 28.

North East region Scottish Conservative MSP Bill Bowman said the GP crisis had to be addressed.

He said: “The practice of closing a list is obviously a short-term measure to protect the service level of a GP surgery.

“But judging by the consistent number of closures in Tayside over the past few years, a long-term problem is not being addressed.

“A decade of ignoring the upcoming recruitment crisis has caused it to become worse. Valuable health centres are closing as a result, as seen in Stobswell.”

A spokeswoman for NHS Tayside said that list closures were considered on a case-to-case basis.

She added: “GP practices need to be responsive in appropriately managing capacity issues and changing circumstances whenever it is necessary. Any practice that wants to close its list has to apply to NHS Tayside.

“If approved, patient registrations will be restricted for blocks of three months up to a maximum of 12 months, at which point they must reopen their list.

“Patients can register with any GP practice within their catchment area.”

Anyone who needs advice about registering with a GP in their area should contact 01382 425664.