Carse medical facility is finally set to open
Vital medical services are set to return to a Perthshire village seven months after the local GP closed its doors.
NHS Tayside is spearheading the renovation of the old community Nurse’s House on Station Road, Bridge of Earn, with an estimated timeline for completion set at“six-eight weeks.”
The nurse-led service would allow patients to get services that don’t require a GP and follows the controversial closure of the Bridge of Earn Medical Practice in August 2019. The service will provide a multitude of care, which includes wound care, blood pressure monitoring and even mental health support.
Responding to a question from Almond and Earn ward councillor David Illingworth, NHSTayside said:“NHSTayside is prioritising refurbishment to upgrade the nurse’s cottage at Bridge of Earn in order that the Perth and Kinross Health and Social Care Partnership can develop and deliver community services inline with the new GP contract.
“Services will include wound care, including leg ulcer treatment and suture removal, phlebotomy services and some medical diagnostics such as blood pressure monitoring and ECGs (electrocardiograms) for patients who are unable to travel to larger care and treatment hubs.
“The refurbishment will also give an opportunity to provide a consulting area for mental health support and social prescribing activities which had been highlighted in the consultation and engagement around health and wellbeing needs for Lower Earn. It will also continue to provide a base for the district nursing team in Bridge of Earn.
“The estimated timeline for completion of the works will be six-eight weeks.”
Councillor Illingworth told the PA: “Whilst the impact of the closure of the Bridge of Earn Surgery in August last year due to a shortage of GPs across Scotland cannot be underestimated, the redevelopment of the Nurse’s House in Station Road is very welcome.
“The provision of vital health services locally will be of great benefit for residents who sometimes have to use two buses to get to the services they need.
“Despite the loss of the surgery, Bridge of Earn remains a fantastic place to live and to bring up children.
“There is an excellent primary school and many local community groups such as award winning Brig in Bloom and Tea@ Two make the village a place where people feel they belong. When people feel they belong, where there is a sense of community, all sorts of things go well: less vandalism; less loneliness and even better school results.”