All is well as GP practices move towards merger

Morvern and Acharacle Medical practices have taken the first steps towards a GP merger scheduled for October.

Health chiefs say that a merger of the practices, which will include Acharacle’s branch surgeries in Strontian and Kilchoan, will enable closer working relationships between teams, permanent staff and continuity of care between practices following a year where care has been provided by NHS locums.

The first phase of the merger has seen the successful recruitment of a third GP which bosses say will allow the team to bring consistency of care to the populations of all four areas.

Jill Mitchell, head of Primary Care with NHS Highland, said: “We’re pleased that we have been able to recruit a permanent GP and the merger of the practices has begun.

“Having a larger multi-disciplinary team in place will benefit both patients and staff.

“For patients with Morvern Medical Practice, this will bring stability after a year where care has been provided by NHS locums.

“However, to ensure we can maintain continuity of care across these areas, we have had to make some changes to appointment systems in Lochaline.

“While operational hours at Morvern have changed, how patients contact the practice and arrange an appointment has not.

“There will be medical cover across the areas of Acharacle, Kilchoan, Lochaline and Strontian, bringing stability during what is a challenging time for NHS staffing.”

Appointments will be available at Morvern Medical practice on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9am until 5pm.

On Tuesday and Thursday administrative staff will be available to advise on appointments and, if required, contact the duty doctor. These changes will come into effect from July 3.

As with all health board-run practices, all appointments will initially be a telephone consultation with a GP, who will then decide the next step.

There will be no changes to the dispensing of medication or the process for ordering repeat prescriptions.