Fife GP practices left vulnerable by national crisis

Labour MSP says concerns in Fife were flagged up

Fife GP practices are “vulnerable” thanks to a national recruitment crisis.

The Scottish Government has been urged to get a grip of the situation which has seen one health centre close its patient list and put two others in a high risk position.

Eleven practices across the region are struggling to recruit doctors.

Labour MSP Claire Baker said it was no surprise out-of-hours GP cover had been closed in Dunfermline, Glenrothes and St Andrews given so many practices were under pressure during the day.

“I have been raising these concerns for some time and have been warning that the government’s failure to address these shortages would have consequences for patients in Fife,” she said.

Health Minister Shona Robison acknowledged there were “significant issues” in Fife but said this was being addressed.

The Scottish Government has been urged to get a grip of a growing GP crisis which has left several Fife practices “vulnerable”.

A shortage of family doctors has forced one medical group to close its list to new patients and two others have been described as being in a high risk situation.

In total, 11 practices are struggling to recruit.

The revelation follows a sudden decision to close out-of-hours GP services in St Andrews, Glenrothes and Dunfermline and centralise consultations at Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy between midnight and 8am.

Fife Health and Social Care Partnership said the three-month contingency measure was needed as the number of doctors prepared to operate the service was too low to ensure patient safety.

Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Claire Baker said the Scottish Government must accept some responsibility for the out-of-hours closures.

“I have been raising these concerns for some time and have been warning that the government’s failure to address these shortages would have consequences for patients in Fife,” she said.

A confidential document dated April 1, seen by The Courier, shows Inverkeithing Medical Group has closed its list and employed a practice pharmacist and advanced nurse practitioners as an alternative to GPs as 15 sessions of clinical time are vacant.

In Kirkcaldy, Dr Morris & Partners has lost two GPs and has only been able to secure sporadic locum cover. It is said to be in a high risk situation.

Also high risk is Lochgelly Medical Practice, which has two GP vacancies.

Shortages at Primrose Lane Medical Centre in Rosyth mean the practice remains “fragile”, according to the document, while the town’s Park Road Practice is “vulnerable”.

MSP Alex Rowley said: “There is a massive issue they need to get to grips with.”

Health Minister Shona Robison acknowledged there were “significant issues” with GP recruitment and retention in Fife but said the new GP contract and £110 million investment in primary care this year alone would make a difference.

There is a massive issue they need to get to grips with. MSP ALEX ROWLEY

Picture: Steven Brown. Lochgelly Medical Practice is described as high risk. It has two GP vacancies.