Spell out GP future
the money to “invest in the sustainability” of all six practices and their patient population of almost 17,000
Dr Cumming told last week’s meeting: “The six practices had to deliver a proposal on how the money could be spent which had the support of each of them and present it to the health board.
“The six practices are now united, committed and engaged with a way to move forward.”
Dr Shionagh Morrison, one of the partners at the Aberfoyle and Buchlyvie practice, said they had lost a third of their medical workforce when their salaried GP left and were waiting to see what the new set-up, with two part-time doctors, would look like when it is introduced.
Dr Morrison also explained they had increased the number of appointments available at the Aberfoyle centre.
A recent audit showed the average waiting time for a routine appointment was four days, added the GP, and the number of patients seen each week had increased compared with March this year.
Some patients phoning up for an appointment that day complained slots were gone in minutes but Dr Morrison said appointments were available for, on average, one hour and 40 minutes before they were taken up.
She told the meeting the practice had also introduced evening surgeries in Aberfoyle, provided access to telephone consultations and worked with NHS Forth Valley to reintroduce physiotherapy services.
“I want to thank people who use the centre for their patience and also give a huge thank you to our staff who have had to face daily questions about the medical centre,” added Dr Morrison.