The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Joy for villagers as NHS cuts ruled out
NHS: Locals would have faced 16-mile round trip if outlet had closed
PATIENTS in a village are celebrating after health chiefs moved to rule out cuts that would have forced them to travel miles to get prescription drugs. Udny Station's Scotstown medical practice was one of six threatened with losing its dispensary service.
But after a consultation that exposed deep feelings against the change, NHS Grampian is recommending that four of them continue.
The health board revealed last year that it was considering scrapping prescription services in Udny Station, Skene, Portlethen, Auchenblae, Rhynie and Gardenstown.
The announcement caused uproar in
many of the communities, with fears that older residents would not be able to make the trip elsewhere to pick up medicine.
Villagers in Udny Station would be potentially faced with a 16-mile round trip to Ellon if their service was ended. The at-risk service also serves residents in Udny Green, Pitmedden, Potterton and Balmedie.
Auchenblae and Rhynie will also retain their services under the final proposals, to be debated by the health board next week, while Gardenstown does not currently have one in place.
Rhynie residents would face a lengthy trip to Alford or Huntly if the village's dispensary service had been lost. However, Skene and Portlethen's services face the axe.
Last night, Paul Johnston, Mid-Formartine councillor, warned the removal of the dispensary could have spelled the end for the GP practice altogether.
But he said the recommendation was a positive step for the future of healthcare in the village.
“Clearly these are recommendations and the board now need to consider them," he said.
“I welcome the proposals but I would say that the NHS needs to come up with a consistent policy when it comes to rural dispensary services.
“Following the recommendations for Udny Station is clearly going to be the correct decision for the area. There would be serious difficulties for many people to access pharmacy services without this doctor's practice providing it in the area."
Foveran Community Council, which represents the village, welcomed the board's recommendations.
Glen Douglas, secretary, said: “This will be a great relief to the residents of the village who have faced uncertainties for a long time."
One of the area's MSPs had been a vocal supporter of the campaign to keep the service open.
Peter Chapman, Conservative MSP for the North East region, said: “While I am disappointed to hear that dispensing services will close at Portlethen and Skene, I must welcome the decision to retain this crucial service at Udny Station in particular.
“The response from local residents was overwhelmingly opposed to any changes to the current setup, which would have created huge problems for many vulnerable people.
“The circumstances at Gardenstown are clearly different, and it is right that NHS Grampian holds off on any further action until the future of the practice can be sorted out."
Liberal Democrat MSP Mike Rumbles said: “People in this rural community would have suffered great difficulty in obtaining the medications they require if the surgery lost its dispensary.
“This recommendation is the correct one and I trust that Grampian Health Board will adopt the recommendations of the report and protect this essential service."
The NHS board meeting will take place on Thursday, July 6.