NHS bosses must lift threat to GP surgery

As a 71-year-old resident of Aberfoyle I was extremely shocked and worried by the news that, as a result of lack of funding, our medical centre might have to close.

I would like to point out that having a local medical centre is vital for this isolated rural area.

Where would we go if our medical centres were to close? The nearest facilities are in Callander or Drymen. There is no public bus service to either of these destinations.

We are a widespread rural area and need the services of the doctors, nurses, podiatrist and the reception staff, who do an excellent job looking after the wellbeing of our villagers.

On behalf of our local community I would ask that NHS Forth Valley reconsider their decision.

Joan Woodcock

I am writing first and foremost to thank you and the Stirling Observer for your coverage of the terrible misstep by NHS Forth Valley in withdrawing funding from the Aberfoyle and Buchlyvie Practice.

It is of great importance to all of us in the community and it is heartening to see the issue aired in a much loved and well respected local paper.

My family and I live almost as remotely as one can in Strathard and to see the attempts by the local NHS board to defund such a critical service seems to smack of short-sighted opportunism rather than anything else.

I hope that you will be following up on developments, perhaps letting the wider community know what progress is made by our MP and MSP, who have both publicly stated their dismay, and indeed by covering the public meeting should Ms Cowan agree to appear.

Oliver Godby, Inversnaid

It was with great disgust that I read of the decision of no longer funding a salaried GP at the Aberfoyle Medical Practice.

The reason appears to be based solely on the number of patients registered. It shows no consideration for:

A breakdown of age of population, terminal conditions, mental health issues, etc.

The increase of people to this area during the holiday season. It is not unusual to meet visitors in the waiting room.

Five activity-based centres in Aberfoyle, Kinlochard and Gartmore.

Cyclists, mountain bikers, hill walkers, climbers and pony trekkers all year round.

The size of area in square miles, including difficult terrain and single track roads.

Buses are limited and service is terminated at Aberfoyle. DRT services have to be booked in advance.

Distance from nearest hospital and A&E. Inversnaid to Larbert : 1hr 25mins - 43 miles. Inversnaid to Golden Jubilee, Clydebank: 1hr 30 mins - 41 miles.

It has been stated that there was “a historic arrangement which was put in place at a time when the practice was run by a single-handed GP.”

I am 58 years old and have lived here my whole life. I remembe as a child in the 1960s two doctors covering this area. At that time we not only had a hospital at Stirling but also at Killearn. As to population, Aberfoyle village alone has doubled in size in the past 50 years.

Personally, I have a mixed connective tissue disorder - a terminal illness. Twice the GPs here have already saved my life. The help and care I receive is first-class and without them I would not be here today.

Our GP surgeries have already been halved due to cuts in December 2014, when this health board decided to introduce a pharmacy and withdraw the dispensing service from the medical centre. We have also had to endure a reduction in practice nurses from two to one and we no longer have a district nurse based in the practice.

It feels like this health board is determined to punish the patients in this area for reasons best known to themselves.

Promises in the past, similar to those they are making now, have not been kept. Our fear is that this essential medical centre will close. This is not what I would consider care in the community.

Janette Bond, Gartmore

Although not directly affected, I am dismayed that NHS Forth Valley is withdrawing cash support for a salaried GP post at Aberfoyle Medical Centre.

With a growing elderly population and more people wanting to live in the country, I would expect GP posts to be increased rather than reduced.

In the city of Stirling we now don’t have an A&E department and in recent years we have suffered from problems with dentistry and the prescribing of medicines. What next will be for the chop?

Of course, finance is a major issue but I have always held the view that health boards spend too much on administration and not enough on front-line services. With patients’ lives being put at risk, it is equally galling that at the end of each financial year the Scottish Government’s budget is consistently underspent.

Apparently it’s now being mooted that health boards might be abolished and the health system centralised.

If health boards are not going to respond to local needs and wishes we would probably not notice much difference.

Bob MacDougall Oxhill, Kippen