Fears Brodick may not re-open
‘There are many elderly and infirm people who will feel helpless when asked to go to Lamlash or Shiskine. Cost and accessibility are definitely issues, especially when their illness is taken into the equation. Who thought this was a good idea?’
Craig McArthur, director of East Ayrshire health and social care, responded: ‘Brodick Health Centre is currently being used as the Covid-19 testing site for Arran residents.
‘The health centre was identified as the most central and accessible location on the island and has been used since June 2020 as an integral part of NHS Ayrshire and Arran’s Covid testing programme with more than 1,600 tests carried out so far. The site will continue to be used as a Covid testing centre until at least March 2022 and this will be kept under review. To ensure general medical services continue to be provided to Arran residents, the GP practice sites at Lamlash and Shiskine remain open.
‘Patients can access GP services and other healthcare professionals appropriate to their need at these two locations. The site at Whiting Bay also remains open for limited services. Whilst a central location for testing, we are aware Brodick Health Centre is also the most central location for patients accessing GP and healthcare services. This will be taken into consideration as part of the GP practice remobilisation plans as we continue to phase out of the Covid pandemic.’
There was no mention of Lochranza Health Centre which only offered a limited service before the pandemic began.