Woes over surgery decision New Errol practice under fire
Ken Tait believes visibility issues will cause problems 150218ErrolMedicalCen- A Carse of Gowrie councillor and Errol residents have come together to oppose the siting of a new GP practice just outside the village.
The owners of the current practice, located on Errol’s High Street, are preparing to sell up.
Housing developers Morris Leslie are siting a temporary practice on the road heading to Grange.
The new surgery is scheduled to open in April, but the quick turnaround has some local people worrying that the decision has been made hastily.
Local residents Jan and Ken Tait believe the decision has not been entirely thought through.
The couple, who have lived on the edge of Errol for over 28 years, have serious safety fears about the access to the new surgery.
Jan said: “I have concerns over the safety at the new site.
“I know the road where the access road is proposed to connect to and there is no way people will be able to see the main road coming out.
“The road (between Errol and Grange) has a 60mph speed limit and coming out of where the proposed surgery will be, I think you’ll be able to see no more than 15 metres
Ken Tait and Cllr Beth Pover are unhappy with the siting of the temporary surgery down the road. It will be an accident waiting to happen. We find it odd that we don’t have the background information. People don’t know what’s going on.
“There’s no bus stop nearby and many of the people at the surgery will be elderly, disabled or just had bad news. There has already been a recent fatality on the road and it will only be a matter of time before something goes wrong.”
Ken and Jan launched a formal complaint to Perth and Kinross Council, highlighting fears relating to road visibility, remoteness, flooding risk, infrastructure and privacy, with the couple believing the tarring of the access is not indicative of the surgery’s temporary status.
Councillor for the ward Beth Pover said: “I am concerned about the rushing as this has been lacking a comprehensive consultation with residents and patients.
“Where Morris Leslie are building the temporary surgery is quite out of the way for a surgery. This isn’t very accessible and there are questions about how disabled people will access the surgery.
“I’m concerned that the administration is supporting this rushed, knee jerk decision.
“I understand that there are financial implications but I think we should calm this issue down.
“There was a public meeting but we got no answers at it. We still haven’t had confirmation about the future of the St Madoes surgery either from NHS Tayside or the Integrated Joint Board.”
Morris Leslie was approached for comment but have not responded.
I have concerns over the safety of the site