The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Thousands of Arbroath patients in pandemic ‘limbo’.
HEALTHCARE: MSP says ‘certainty’ must be provided
Fears are growing Arbroath’s possible emergence from pandemic restrictions will be hit by a looming primary care crisis caused by the potential closure of one of the town’s biggest GP surgeries.
In February the 6,500-patient Abbey practice announced it would be terminating its GP contract with NHS Tayside at the end of July.
A shortage of doctors was blamed for the decision as the surgery became the latest in Tayside to be impacted by a nationwide situation.
The practice has one full-time and three part-time GPS, having said farewell to a long-serving doctor towards the end of last year. An advanced nurse practitioner also operates there.
Health chiefs urged patients on the Abbey list not to move to other town practices while attempts continued to find a solution. The Abbey situation has now been raised with Health Secretary Jeane Freeman after a politician said thousands of patients were now living “in limbo” during the Covid-19 lockdown.
North East Conservative MSP Bill Bowman has demanded an assurance over future provision after being contacted by worried constituents.
He said: “Understandably, the focus for now is getting through the current coronavirus epidemic, but since we are now only three months away from the anticipated closure date, constituents have approached me with their concerns regarding future healthcare provision. It’s deeply unfortunate for so many existing patients to be left in limbo, having been asked not to move GPS but being given no information in months.
“I think it’s especially vital in these times that some certainty is provided.”
NHS Tayside has not responded to a request for an update on the Abbey practice, or confirmed how many patients have transferred to other town lists, and whether they remain open.
The health authority previously stressed its main priority would be to ensure continued access to a GP for patients.
“When a practice gives notice to stop providing services, the health board has a responsibility to ensure that safe primary care services are provided to the local population,” it said.
NHS Tayside and Angus Health and Social Care Partnership said at the time of the GP contract termination announcement that they were working together to “engage with patients in Arbroath as plans progress to deliver safe and sustainable primary care services in the local area”.