Kinross-shire GP has fears over future of region care provision

Doctor believes area is in danger of becoming over-developed

A Kinross-shire doctor has said he fears for the future of health care in the area due to over-development in the region and a lack of facilities and staff.

The GP said a rise in the number of new homes being built, coupled with the closure of the Bridge of Earn practice, had seen patient lists increase by 10% in the area over the last year.

Residents’ fears over the health care provision in the region were laid bare during a planning meeting on Wednesday where councillors rejected a proposal for a new 67-home development in Milnathort.

A letter from the GP, who asked not to be named, was read out at the talks.

He said: “The closure of Bridge of Earn surgery has added to the list size increase and further developments such as Pitdownies and Ba’ Hill in Milnathort and the retirement village at the site of the Windlestrae hotel will only place both practices under greater pressure.

“This is against the backdrop of a scarcity of general practitioners seeking posts across the United Kingdom and more than 50% of the practitioners in Kinross are over 50 years old and could be reasonably expected to retire in the next 10 years.

“Increasing patient demand also places an increasing strain on the administrative and reception staff of the practices on a daily basis.

“All the other services in the community such as district nurses, health visitors, pharmacists, physiotherapists, podiatrists are struggling with an increasing workload.

“If the current disconnect between planning departments and health services continues the viability of general practice provision in Kinross may well be at risk in the not too distant future.”

Neither NHS Tayside or the Health and Social Care Partnerships raised an objection to the Pitdownies application, though they did provide comment.

A report by Perth and Kinross Council officials said NHS Tayside had indicated a potential impact on the GP practice.

It went on: “NHS Tayside and Tayside Health Care and Social Partnership (HCSP)...advise that they are considering the possibility of recruitment in the future, to address this issue.”

Gordon Paterson, chief officer of Perth and Kinross Health and Social Care Partnership, said: “Any significant increase in local populations will further increase the pressure on local services, including GP practices.”

“Any significant increase in local populations will further increase the pressure on local services, including GP practices. GORDON PATERSON