GP funding cut will put more lives at risk

Dear Editor We would like to register our protest against cuts to NHS GP funding for Aberfoyle Medical Centre. This will result in a further drastic cut to services provided to our community.

When NHS Forth Valley board went against the wishes of many in the community and allowed a pharmacy to be opened in Aberfoyle, it meant the centre was no longer allowed to dispense medicines. This reduced the practice’s income substantially and led to cuts in opening hours and services provided to our rural area. Opening hours halved at that time.

The wonderful, dedicated care that we had enjoyed for many years suffered, clinics were cut and it became harder to get an appointment. We no longer had an open surgery available to us.

It means that patients tend to let any ailments become severe before seeking help which increases the chance of needing more hospital referrals – costing more in the long run.

We are lucky that at the moment we are in good health. That could change at any time and we feel any further cuts mean that it would be difficult to obtain the care needed.

Our elderly father/fatherin –law needs a lot more care at age 83. He dearly wants to live out the rest of his life in his own home which is in line with current policy.

The medical centre supports this and gives him exemplary care despite the problems they face. However, he too finds it harder to access this care and any further reduction will mean he might not receive medical attention in time to prevent admission to hospital. He does not like to be a bother and may not seek help before things become severe.

We are also concerned as to how this further reduction in service will affect other vulnerable groups such as new mothers, young children and the mentally ill as well as those with long term and chronic illnesses.

Our mother/mother-inlaw died almost 12 years ago from cancer. She received excellent and very supportive care which allowed her to stay out of hospital as much as possible. We do not think similar care is available today which makes us very sad. Such times are traumatic enough for patients and their families without them being unable to access the care they need.

We feel that you need to take more account of the location of the surgery. It is a considerable distance to Larbert Hospital from Aberfoyle, let alone Inversnaid which adds an additional 14 miles to the journey, on country roads. The ambulance and A&E services are already under severe pressure and this cut will put more lives at risk.

We urge the board to make the right decision and maintain the current GP level at the surgery.

Janet and Neil Stewart Aberfoyle