GP Practise in Moffat set to experience significant challenges
Patients can expect disruption to services as the facility transfers to direct NHS Board management
Last updated 30th Jun 2023
Significant challenges are imminent at a GP practise in Moffat, as the facility comes under direct NHS Board management, after no alternate provider was appointed.
Disruption is expected on Thursday the 1st and Friday the 2nd June, when only emergency appointments will be accepted at the practise.
NHS Dumfries & Galloway say patients have been informed of this disruption and have been made aware of arrangements which will be in place in the interim. Work is currently taking place to try and restore services to a more normal state from next week.
Deputy Medical Director Grecy Bell said: “We were very frank when we said that there would be challenges if we couldn’t appoint an alternate provider to deliver GP services out of Moffat Surgery.
“There were no bidders for the contract, which means it now moves under direct NHS Board management.
“This situation is not ideal, as we look to ensure we have the required level of staffing in the interim until the contract is awarded to a new provider.
“We are currently undertaking the necessary preparatory work to advertise the contract, which we hope to do as soon as possible, and in a way that we can hopefully generate a good degree of interest.”
Concern for local residents
Colin Smyth MSP says: "The news that Moffat Surgery is to be taken under direct NHS Board control, even on an interim basis is going to mean uncertainty for local patients.
"The fact that there were no bidders from GP's to take onto the running of the practise, and it's now up to the health board to manage it, I think highlights the real crisis we have over the shortage of doctors."
Oliver Mundell, MSP for Dumfriesshire, says: “The situation at the GP Practise in Moffat has been dire for some time. It’s previously been under NHS control, then this current set of partners took on the contract. That’s clearly failed.
"It’s been very difficult in that time for people in Moffat to secure basic primary care with GPs often unavailable to see people face to face, and patients left really frustrated.”
Change is needed
Mr Mundell says: “Of course, the potential for further disruption in the next couple of days with emergency only appointments is far from ideal, but I think people in the town will be fairly pragmatic, and accept that in order for the practise to transfer back over to the NHS there is going to be temporary disruptions.
"What I can say is local residents are really hoping this will see a mark change, that the health board will pull out all the stops to make sure people get that access to quality GP services they deserve.”
It’s hoped that greater services will be on offer next week, while a longer-term solution remains in the works.