Islanders fear new GP contract could dismantle rural healthcare

RESIDENTS of the isles of Luing and Seil have voiced concerns about the impact of proposed new GP contracts in Scotland.

Seventy five islanders, just under half the population of Luing, filled Toberonochy Hall at a public meeting on Monday last week organised by Luing Community Council.

It heard some services currently carried out locally by rural GPs could be handed out to centralised health teams, making them more difficult to access and increasing waiting times for an appointment.

The contract has been negotiated between the British Medical Association (BMA) and the Scottish Government and has been agreed by the GP workforce.

The first phase is due to be implemented in April 2018.

At the meeting Dr Miranda Barkham, a GP at the Easdale Practice, expressed her concerns about the effects the changes could have on local services: ‘The way we deliver services such as vaccinations currently meets the needs of the local community.

‘The new GP Contract threatens to dismantle rural healthcare and bring years of uncertainty for GPs and patients.’

Fiona Rogers, convener of Luing Community Council, added: ‘Our local doctors deliver an excellent service at the moment, so why try fixing something that isn’t broken? The lack of public consultation when drawing up this contract is disgraceful.

‘With significant changes in how services could be accessed, people across Scotland should have been involved at a much earlier stage.

‘Our own practice said it knew very little about this until a month ago. Patients were not consulted.

‘There is now an attempt to get feedback from patients. Unfortunately the feedback has to be given by the end of March, which does not give us much time.

‘The government must now ensure it listens to local communities and take into account the needs and priorities in rural areas.’

Councillor Kieron Green said: ‘Communities across Argyll are clearly worried about the implications of these potential changes to health services.

‘The council has already indicated support for rural GPs in challenging this contract and it is now important people make clear to the Scottish Government this must be reconsidered.’

The BMA has said the new contracts will bring significant benefits to GPs in every part of Scotland, including rural and remote areas.

The final shape of services is still to be decided on at a local level and feedback at workshops will help inform these decisions.

Representatives of patients from four GP practices in Oban, Appin, Connel and Seil are meeting next week to give feedback to the Scottish Government.