Concern over GP service in village
Patients in Stoneyburn will continue having to travel to see a doctor in a move it’s feared will impact “the health and wellbeing of residents”.
Last year, The Courier reported that The GP contract at Stoneyburn Health Centre, part of the Breich Valley Medical Practice, expired on May 31 and despite two recruitment drives, NHS Lothian have been unable to find replacements. As a result the village has no GP, meaning patients have to travel to Fauldhouse for appointments, with campaigners saying hard-up families, the elderly and disabled are hardest hit. Last week it was announced that the Barclay Group - which also runs a practice in Livingston - would take over but will not reinstate the GP provision in Stoneyburn. Ann Greechan, chair of Stoneyburn Community Council, said the news was “disappointing” but that the community council is committed to bringing a GP back to Stoneyburn. She continued: “Since last summer we have been asking for some form of GP service in Stoneyburn to meet the needs of the elderly, frail and people who are financially burdened by having to pay bus fairs to Fauldhouse as a mother and child cost to travel is £8 return and a taxi is £7 one way. Currently we want to get into meaningful dialogue with Barclays, to look at a satellite service in Stoneyburn a couple of days a week or even an advanced nurse practitioner. At this time having a public meeting would only rile villagers as there is nothing to bring to the table. Instead we hope that Barclays might meet up with the community council to discuss the situation. We also are seeking guidance on where we stand legally regarding the surgery provision being based in Fauldhouse. Barclay only wanted the Fauldhouse surgery based in Fauldhouse Partnership Centre. We are being supported by or MSPs and councillors and will continue to seek a positive outcome.” Neil Findlay MSP has written to the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport, Jeane Freeman, to invite her to Stoneyburn to listen to residents’ views on the loss of their GP. He said: “It is unacceptable that Stoneyburn is set to lose its GP services. This will be the first time this village has had no GP provision since the creation of the NHS in 1948. This could really negatively impact on the health and wellbeing of residents. The Health Secretary should do the right thing by coming to Stoneyburn and listening to local residents who are demanding that GP services return to the village.” Jim Forrest, chief officer, West Lothian Health and Social Care Partnership, said: “The Barclay Medical Group will take over the Breich Valley Medical Practice, operating from the Fauldhouse Partnership Centre from April 1, 2019. Existing community services, which are currently provided in Stoneyburn Health Centre, three miles away, will continue. The Barclay Medical Group was appointed following a successful recruitment process and panel interview. A letter was issued to the interested party making an offer to them to take over the practice in November and that was formally accepted. The new appointment comes after the GPs running Breich Valley Medical Practice decided to step down in November 2017. The posts were advertised extensively, receiving no applications. Since then, one of the exiting partners agreed to stay on and a long term locum GP was recruited to allow safe patient care to continue until these new arrangements could be put in place.”
It is unacceptable that Stoneyburn is set to lose its GP services